3/6/12- The Old Testament's Use Today

14- 3/6- WLC- 34

Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the Passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.

How from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ⁸ We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ⁹ We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰ And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. ¹¹ These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:6-11)

Thoughts: The writer of 2 Timothy was speaking of the Old Testament’s usefulness to us today.  The catechism question points out that God had revealed enough of Himself for the salvation of those who would believe.  The image used is that of a foreshadowing what is to come.  When we are walking at night and a light is behind us, we may see the shadow of someone walking before we actually see the person walking.  The shadow reveals some things- but it is not a complete revelation.  So the old Jerusalem and Temple are symbols that we have a place of worship in heaven and a city of God there.  Calvin talked of circumcision being replaced with baptism and the Passover with the Lord’s Supper.  The ordinances are different, but signify similar things- cleansing or sacrificial death.  Too many skim over the Old Testament as if it were unimportant, but there are many nuggets of gold for us when we pan through sands of the Old Testament.  Where would we be without the words “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want… he leads me beside the still waters…through the valley of the shadow of death?”  So many Psalms and words of comfort are there for us.

Prayer: Teach me, O God, to appreciate your word.  Help me to learn from those who have gone before me.

  (Abraham- Rembrandt Van Rijn 1635)