What is the Old Testament all About? (Selected Scriptures)

What is the Old Testament all about anyway?

Introduction: Tips to reading the Old Testament: Use a reading plan, Read slowly, look up cross-references, use a journal, and ask questions.  

Is the Old Testament about ?

Matt Chandler: I want to be straight; I love you enough to be straight. YOU’RE NOT DAVID! Your trouble in life is not Goliath.”

Much of our problem regarding the Old Testament is that we are what it is about. 

Understanding the Old Testament does take a lot of !

It is rather clear that we need the New Testament to the Old Testament properly. 

In this series, we will look at the box the puzzle is in — we want the picture of what the Old Testament is all about.

Jesus’ Answer

Jesus starts with , goes back, and shows how the OT was about.

Graeme Goldsworthy:  “We do not start at Genesis 1 and work our way forward until we discover where it is all leading. Rather we first come to Christ, and he directs us to study the Old Testament in the light of the gospel. The gospel will interpret the Old Testament by showing us its goal and meaning.”

Jesus doesn’t stand in t to the Old Testament but the and fulfillment of it.

Abraham was more than a theistic Jew; he was a ~ David Murray.

We look back on what Christ accomplished on our behalf — Abraham eagerly for it!

True eternal life is found in the of the Old Testament!

Peter’s Answer

1 Peter 1:10-12

What was the activity of the Holy Spirit focused on in the Old Testament?

The Christ was the primary concern of Old Testament prophecies. 

The Prophets may not have everything about the future savior and knew that what they were saying would serve others — but they did know . 

Paul’s Answer

Galatians 4:21

Paul’s comments about Moses and the Law should remind us of Jesus’ declaration that Moses of Him. 

Abraham’s two sons: One of a and one of a woman

The birth of Ishmael is a product of effort apart from divine . The birth of Isaac is an illustration of relating to God by trusting in His promise !

Charles Hodge: “The Old Testament Scriptures are intelligible only when understood as predicting and prefiguring Christ…The knowledge of Christ, as a matter of act and as a matter of course, removes the veil from the Old Testament.”

John’s Answer

John 1:17

Some translations add [But] grace and truth… — the addition of that word made a difference as it sets the two statements one another. The point John is making concerns the of Scripture, not pointing to the inadequacy of the OT. 

The Old Testament John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah.