How do we read the Old Testament 1

How do we read the Old Testament?

How do I read the Old Testament?
Luke 24:13-35 (v. 27)

John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”

1. All Scripture Predicts (prophecies, Messianic Psalms, etc.) Christ’s person and/or work.
A. Zechariah 13:1
1. Zechariah 3:8-9 Here the “Branch” is said to be how their sin is removed
2. By the “piercing” of the “Branch” a fountain is opened to clean them from sin
3. John 4:14 Jesus tells the woman that he would be a well of water springing up to
eternal life
B. Exodus 12:21-32 The sacrifice of the lamb, the blood, the Passover, the death of the firstborn
the Exodus

2. All Scripture Prepares for (dead ends and bridges) Christ’s person and work.
A. Prophets failed Jeremiah 23:30-32
B. Priests failed Jeremiah 2:8
C. Kings failed 2 Kings 17
1. Israel: “…followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin…”
2. Judah: “…he did not tear down the high places…”
a. Israel was always looking for a leader
D. Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King
1. Prophet: Jesus reveals God to us and speaks God’s word to us (John 17)
2. Priest: Jesus both offers a sacrifice to God on our behalf and is himself the sacrifice
that is offered (Hebrews)
3. King: Jesus rules over the church and the universe well (Ephesians)

3. All Scripture Reflects Christ’s person and work.
A. The indicative comes before the imperative; the imperative is based on the indicative and
the order cannot be reversed.
1. Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out
of the house of slavery.”
a. This truth destroys legalism
b. This truth builds the framework for grace and holiness
1. Holiness is because we are not in order to become









4. All Scripture Results from (boldness, access, justification) Christ’s person and work.
A. Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus defends against his disciples picking grain and eating on the
Sabbath
1. 1 Samuel 21:1-6 David and his men eat the bread of the presence
a. Hosea 6:1-6 Jesus quotes this passage to interpret what David was allowed to
do
1. David was allowed access because of Jesus work already
2. God was operating by grace through faith already
3. Jesus’ hermeneutic:
a. Use Scripture to interpret Scripture
b. Interpret Scripture in light of Jesus person and work

B. 2 Chronicles 30:13-27 Hezekiah’s prayer to heal the people who were not prepared according
to the law’s standard

Conclusion
1. Read the Old Testament to know Jesus more

“Read it and meditate on it as those who are dead to it as the ground of your justification and the power of your sanctification. Read it and meditate on it as those for whom Christ is your righteousness and Christ is your sanctification. Which means read and mediate on it to know Christ better and to treasure him more. Christ and the Father are one (John 10:30; 14:9). So to know the God of the Old Testament is to know Christ. The more you see his glory and treasure his worth, the more you will be changed into his likeness (2 Corinthians 3:17-18), and love the way he loved - which is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10). I say it again. What shall you do with the law - you who are justified by faith alone apart from works of the law? Read it and meditate on it to know more deeply than you have ever known the justice and mercy of God in Christ, your righteousness and your life.”

2. Read the Old Testament to taste God’s grace in kindness to us

3. Read the Old Testament to be humbled
A. We act just like the unfaithful did

4. Read the Old Testament to be more Christ-like
A. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
1. Just
2. Gracious
3. Kind
4. Holy
5. Angry