History, History, You've Got to Know Your History

   “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future” (Theodore Roosevelt). Whether you like it or not history is a very important subject, especially in school. But, when you think of history what do you think of? You many think of the medieval times, the Civil War, World War One, and many other events in the past. But, do you ever think of just getting rid of one or more of these events?

   You may be wondering why I asked that question. Why in the world would anyone say “I don’t believe in this event so I’m going to say it didn’t happen?” Well, I bring this up because some people do this. They say that they don’t believe in the Old Testament.

   Now, some of you may be thinking “why in the world would someone not believe in the Old Testament?” But, I know some people who don’t because God seems totally different in the Old Testament. In the New Testament God seems to be kind, full of grace, and loving. In the Old Testament God seems to be judging, full of wrath, and merciless. So, some people say God isn’t like this anymore. That he changed in the New Testament and the Old Testament is no longer applicable.

   My first issue with this is God doesn’t change. Over and over again in the Bible it says God does not change. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” And many more times. So, you may be wondering why people think God changes. It is not that God changes; it is that he changes how he deals with us. In the Old Testament God required animal sacrifices. In the New Testament God sent his Son to be the atonement for our sins.

   Next I want you to think about your past. If you didn’t go through the things you went through in your past would you be who you are today? Without your past people wouldn’t understand you for who you really are. It is the same with God. Without the Old Testament we would not understand so many different aspects of God.

   Finally, without the Old Testament we lose the reason for the New Testament. Jesus was a Jew. The Old Testament is literally his heritage. And, it shows us why Jesus had to come and die on the cross. God cannot look on sin because he is holy. So, once Adam and Eve sinned God had to be separated from us. The only way that one could atone for sin was with a sacrifice. So, the Israelites went through the pattern of sinning, then doing a sacrifice for atonement each year, and sinning again. That is, until God sent his Son to be the perfect sacrifice. This is why I say the Old Testament is so important; because it shows us who God is and shows us why the New Testament is important.

   So, do you believe the Old Testament is still valid? Are you discrediting any aspects of God?

   Proverbs 30:5-6 & Deuteronomy 12:32