Why Study the Old Testament?

by Naomi Works

"What is the point of studying the Old Testament? We're not under that covenant, Jesus only appears in the New Testament, and Leviticus-Deuteronomy is just plain boring!"

I feel so sorry for people who think that way. They're missing out on so many incredible lessons that will strengthen your faith and make you appreciate the Creator. One way I would answer that question or attitude is by showing them this series of passages:

• “That you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel” (Exodus 11:7). Egypt was often used as a picture of sin, slavery, or bondage to sin, and being without God. During the time of the plagues, God made a distinction between Pharaoh and the Egyptian people and the Israelites, as shown to them. He was encouraging Israel not to “lump themselves in with” or attach themselves to what (or who) is sinful. He wanted them to see the difference between being slaves of sin and being servants of Yahweh (Exodus 12:31).
• “To make a distinction between the unclean and the clean” (Leviticus 11:47). After telling the people of Israel what they could and couldn’t eat, God tells them that he was using that as a teaching moment to show them how to make a difference between what is unclean and what is clean (wording that is often used to describe sin versus righteousness or holiness). Their unique diet in Leviticus 11 served as a teaching tool used by God to show them that they would and should want to stand out and be distinct.
• “They [talking about the priests] shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 44:23). One of the main jobs of the priests was to learn, understand, and then to teach the people how to be holy and set apart. Contrary to popular belief, the priests were doing much more than offering sacrifices; they were given the difficult but essential task of teaching the people why their holy lifestyle, including sacrifices, was so important.

Connect Exodus 11:7 to Ephesians 5:7-8

“Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Just as Israel needed to think of themselves as separate from the Egyptians, we need to remember that God called us out of the world and out of sin. Our lives need to show the difference between being slaves to sin and being servants of Yahweh.

Connect Leviticus 11:47 to Ephesians 4:17

“That you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do.”

As God’s people, we must show that we stand out in everything we do. Not in a “Focus on me and give me attention” kind of way, but instead in a “Unlike the world’s, my God’s standards are fixed and unchanging. He has told me how he wants me to live. He requires moral excellence in the face of temptation, love for my enemies, modesty in all my actions and words, and constant growth in my faith in him.” kind of way.

Connect Ezekiel 44:23 to I Peter 2:9-12

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable.”

Those of us who have been born again through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3) are called to be spiritual priests who offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). One of our primary responsibilities is to learn and understand, and then to teach others how to be holy and set apart.

So, yes, I’m going to continue studying the Old Testament (especially Leviticus-Deuteronomy) so I can learn how to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean in my walk with the Lord.

If the Old Testament isn’t helping you understand the New Testament better and appreciate it more, you’re reading one (or both) of them wrong.