Old Testament is amazing. I love the Old Testament with all my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it (I just finished it). Too many Christian put the emphasis on the New Testament. Too many. They are lacking so much when they neglect the Old Testament. Yes, I know, it is so confusing and boring at times (I fell asleep A LOT when it was describing laws and specifications of the Tabernacle and the Temple). It is also long, it is nearly 78% of the Bible. But for the Christians who neglect the Old Testament they neglect 78% of the Bible. That is…borderline committing a sin (just kidding, but no seriously).
The way I see Old Testament is very different from how I used to see it, which was boring, confusing, long, sometimes even unnecessary. It is still confusing at times and it is long. But it is no where near boring to me anymore. I get so pumped by Old Testament (DUDE! THE MINOR PROPHETS ARE AMAZING). And I have found out the Old Testament is so necessary. God, forgive me when I thought 78% of the Bible was unnecessary. Old Testament is a backdrop for Jesus’ amazing photo shoot in the Gospels. Jesus becomes more beautiful in the Gospels with the Old Testament in mind and heart.
In my own revelation and my true reason for loving the Old Testament is this. It is an 800 page description of my great God. Some say the entire Bible is a love story. Yes, that’s true and I believe it. But, specifically for me, I see the Old Testament as a biography of the greatest being that will ever exist, God Almighty, Lord of hosts, LORD God, LORD of lords, King of kings, God of love, of mercy, of grace, of forgiveness, of compassion, of power, of honor, and of all glory.
In my opinion, Exodus 34:6-7 is the main theme of the Old Testament (and of all things that exist).
The LORD passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Notice how it wasn’t Moses who proclaimed this awesome statement. It was the LORD God. So this biography is really an autobiography. God has never, does not, and will never share His glory with any other. He wrote this amazing book. He wrote the Old Testament.
So please, do not neglect 78% of the Bible. Read it despite the long, confusing, “boring”, and “unnecessary” passages. (I do accept that it is long and confusing so there are no quotations haha). Ask your pastors or someone who is well knowledgeable of the Bible when you are confused. Seek understanding. This is a plea for your benefit and to God’s glory.
Study the Word and enjoy the Word. God is mysterious for a reason, He wants to be sought out, He wants to be studied and understood. And when you learn more about Him, you can’t but help to fall more in love with Him and enjoy Him.
God bless.
