What is the Old Testament?

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Putnam Church Message – 01/05/2024
Sermon Series: Old Testament Orientation Message 1: What is the Old Testament?
Last week was the final Sunday of 2024, and our focus was to press forward with a message titled “A Christ-Centered Perspective on the New Year.”
This week, we are starting a new series called Old Testament Orientation. We will take on the mindset of an ancient Israelite and God’s plan of redemption for humankind. We will invest the first quarter of 2025 covering an Old Testament Orientation, and the second quarter of 2025 with a New Testament Orientation.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come into Your presence with hearts eager to learn and grow. As we begin this journey through the Old Testament, help us to see Your story of redemption, love, and purpose. Open our minds to understand, and let our hearts be transformed by Your Word. Guide this time together, and may all we do glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Introduction
What is the Old Testament? For many, this question stirs thoughts of thick genealogies, ancient laws, or confusing prophecies. Yet, the Old Testament is the foundation of our faith and the beginning of God’s grand story. It sets the stage for the New Testament and introduces us to the God who creates, redeems, and sustains.
This message will cover three key aspects:
1. The Authorship and Structure of the Old Testament
2. How the Old Testament Was Preserved
3. The Authority and Relevance of the Old Testament Today
Let’s dive in, not just to gain knowledge, but to deepen our relationship with the Author behind the text.
1. The Authorship and Structure of the Old Testament
The Challenge of Anonymous Authorship
Most Old Testament books do not name their authors explicitly. For example, Moses is traditionally considered the author of the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), yet his name does not appear in the opening verses. This anonymity reflects the communal and oral culture of the ancient Near East.
Story Illustration #1: Imagine a group of people passing down family stories at a campfire. Each storyteller adds vivid details, but the heart of the story remains the same. Similarly, the Old Testament emerged from a culture that valued the collective preservation of truth over individual credit.
Key Scripture: “These are the instructions, decrees, and regulations that the Lord gave through Moses on Mount Sinai as evidence of the relationship between himself and the Israelites” (Leviticus 26:46, NLT). This reflects Moses’ role in shaping the Torah even though his name isn’t explicitly stated.
The Structure of the Old Testament
The Old Testament is divided into three main sections:
The Torah (Law): The first five books of Moses, foundational for Jewish and Christian theology. The Prophets: Books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, along with historical books such as Kings and Joshua. The Writings: Psalms, Proverbs, and other wisdom literature that capture the heart and soul of Israel.
The diversity of these writings—spanning law, history, poetry, and prophecy—shows us the depth and breadth of God’s story.
Key Scripture: “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7, NLT). This passage captures the life-giving power of the Old Testament’s teachings.
Cultural Context of Ancient Israel
To understand the Old Testament, we must view it through the lens of an ancient Israelite. Their world was filled with covenant relationships, sacred spaces, and a deep sense of community responsibility. Concepts like the Law were not merely legal rules but the heartbeat of their relationship with God and one another.
Story Illustration #2: Picture an Israelite family reciting the Shema together each morning and evening (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).: 4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.) This wasn’t just a ritual but a declaration of loyalty and identity in a world surrounded by polytheism.
Key Scripture: 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, NLT).
2. How the Old Testament Was Preserved
The Role of Scribes and Transmission
The Hebrew word for scribe means “to count,” highlighting their meticulous care in copying the text. Ancient scribes counted every letter in the Torah to ensure accuracy.
Object Lesson #1: Bring two jars—one filled with stones, and one with sand. Each jar represents different approaches to transmission. The stones symbolize the careful, deliberate copying of the Old Testament, while the sand illustrates how easily oral traditions without safeguards might shift over time.
Key Scripture: “Write down all the words I have spoken to you in a book” (Jeremiah 30:2, NLT). This command to Jeremiah reflects God’s desire to preserve His Word for future generations.
The Miracle of the Dead Sea Scrolls
In 1947, a shepherd stumbled upon ancient scrolls in caves near the Dead Sea. These scrolls included a complete manuscript of Isaiah, dating back to 200 BC. When compared to later manuscripts from 1,000 AD, the differences were minimal, proving the extraordinary accuracy of transmission.
Story Illustration #3: The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is like finding a 2,000-year-old treasure chest, perfectly preserved. It reassures us that God’s hand has guided the preservation of His Word.
Key Scripture: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NLT). This eternal nature of God’s Word is evident in its preservation.
Sacred Spaces and Community Preservation
In ancient Israel, the Word of God was often preserved and taught in sacred spaces like the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. Priests and Levites played a crucial role in safeguarding and teaching the Law to the people.
Historical Insight: The Ark of the Covenant housed the tablets of the Law (Exodus 25:16), symbolizing the centrality of God’s Word in Israelite life.
3. The Authority and Relevance of the Old Testament Today
The Old Testament Points to God’s Story
The authority of the Old Testament lies not only in its words but in the overarching narrative it tells. This story spans creation, covenant, rebellion, and redemption, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ.
Illustration #1: Think of the Old Testament as the first act of a play. The first act sets the stage, introduces the characters, and builds anticipation for the climax in the second act—the New Testament. You cannot fully appreciate the second act without understanding the first.
Key Scripture: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39, NLT). Jesus affirms that the Old Testament leads directly to Him.
Parallel Texts and Perceived Inconsistencies
Some people struggle with variations in parallel texts (e.g., Kings and Chronicles). However, these differences often emphasize the flexibility of oral traditions and the communal nature of storytelling. The authority of the text is not diminished; instead, it highlights God’s intention to communicate His message to a variety of audiences.
Object Lesson #2: Use two different translations of a simple text (e.g., a Psalm) to show how variations in wording can still communicate the same core message. This reflects the reliability of Scripture despite minor differences.
Key Scripture: “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection” (Proverbs 30:5, NLT).
Application in Today’s World
The Old Testament is not merely an ancient document but a living Word that speaks to us today. Through its stories, laws, and prophecies, we learn about God’s character, His justice, and His unchanging love.
Key Scripture: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).
Application: Three Takeaways
1. Trust God’s Faithfulness The careful preservation of the Old Testament over millennia is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Just as He preserved His Word, He also preserves His promises to you.
2. Engage with the Narrative Reading the Old Testament is like stepping into the first chapters of a divine novel. Engage with the text not just as history but as a story that shapes your faith and understanding of God’s purpose.
3. See Jesus in the Old Testament.The Old Testament is filled with foreshadowing and prophecies about Jesus. As you read, look for how it points to the Savior and deepens your understanding of His mission.
Key Scripture: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NLT).
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of the Old Testament. We are humbled by the way You preserved these writings through generations. May we approach Your Word with reverence and excitement, knowing it reveals Your unchanging character and love. Help us to see You in every story and find our place in Your grand narrative. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next Week: “The Grand Narrative of the Old Testament”
Let’s continue this journey by exploring the overarching story that ties the Old and New Testaments together. May God bless you as you dive deeper into His Word this week.
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