By Shelly Burke, Editor and Author of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide
Do you ever wonder why the narratives in the Old Testament
were recorded to be read now, thousands
of years later? (Our pastor pointed out that calling them “stories” can imply
that they’re fiction; in our denomination we believe that all of the events
recorded in the Bible took place as written.)
What is the relevance today of the book of Judges? Or the
Psalms? Or even the record of the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40
years? What about Nehemiah, and the minor Prophets?
Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatever
was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through
endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4. This verse refers specifically to Psalm 69, quoted
in the verse previous to this one. But we know that every word of Scripture—Old
Testament and New—is God’s Word to us, and therefore of value to us today.
I think about the twisted family narratives in Genesis. Cain
and Able. Sari and Abram (later Sarah and Abraham) trying to force God’s
promise of a child, by bringing Hagar into the picture. Esau selling his
birthright for a plate of food and Jacob deceiving his father and receiving his
father’s blessing. Laban deceiving Jacob and forcing Jacob to work for 14 years
to get the woman he loved. Dinah being defiled and Jacob’s son’s killing and
plundering for revenge. Joseph being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.
Why are these recorded? I think for several reasons; one, to
reassure us that dysfunction as a result of sin has been part of the world
since Adam and Eve first sinned. As well
as reassurance that we are not alone if we live in a dysfunctional family, the
narratives also serve as a warning and show that there are consequences,
sometimes severe, of not following God’s will and instructions.
Many of God’s people in the Old Testament are great examples
for us: Noah’s faith was demonstrated when he built the ark. Abraham’s faith
shown by his willingness to sacrifice his son. Joseph kept his values and during his years in
slavery, which resulted in Joseph being
able to save his family years later during a famine.
And that is all in Genesis!
Exodus gives us the Ten Commandments, applicable to our lives today.
Judges shows us the pattern of the people trusting in man
rather than God…turning from God to idols…being suppressed by different
people…turning back to God…asking for forgiveness…and repeating the cycle.
Nehemiah teaches us lessons about priorities and focus. (Click
here to read "Lessons from Nehemiah" one of my posts from the A to Z Blogging Challenge last year.)
The book of Esther contains one of my favorite verses in the
Bible: “And who knows whether you have not come to
the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther
4:14b) Esther is also a
wonderful example of the “bad guy” getting what he deserves.
What about the poetry of the Psalms? How can we use that
today? When I was going through probably the most difficult time in my life, I
could not focus enough to read anything but Psalms. Every day I found a Psalm
that expressed what I felt and reassured me of God’s love for me. I’m sure I’m not
the only one who has found comfort in that book.
Proverbs offers us wisdom for many “real life” situations.
A large part of the Old Testament is prophecy of what will
happen either in the New Testament or later, or is yet to happen.
There are difficult verses, chapters, and books in the Old
Testament, but there are always examples of God’s love and forgiveness for
those who are truly repentant, and His promise of a Savior Who will save each
and every one of us if we accept His gift.
I encourage you to read the Old Testament. It is
fascinating—mysteries, drama, history, sex, violence, faith, forgiveness, and evidence
of God’s hand. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture
is breathes out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be
competent, equipped for every good work.” 2
Timothy 3:16
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Shelly is also
the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to
Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. Click to find out more!
