Can I Benefit From the Old Testament?

Bible Study

16All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;

– 2 Timothy 3:16

6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them.

– 1 Corinthians 10:6

11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

– 1 Corinthians 10:11
(NASB® © 2020)

Some people find it difficult to benefit from the books in the Old Testament. But anyone who thinks that the Old Testament was written only for the Jews is not only wrong, but is also missing a lot of illustrative material for the truths of the New Testament.

I would like to make it clear that the Old Testament was also written for us by pointing to a few passages in the New Testament:

  1. The commandment not to bind the mouth of the threshing ox (Deut. 25:4) was given by God to illustrate the principle that the worker is worthy of his wages. “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1Cor. 9:7-14). The almost ironic question: “Is God concerned about oxen?” encourages us to look for the figurative meaning of what the Old Testament commands for us today.
  • Beginning with Moses and the Prophets, the Lord Jesus explained to the downcast disciples at Emmaus what was on His mind in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). The Scriptures bear witness to Him (John 5:39). This encourages us to search the entire Old Testament for references to the Lord Jesus.
  • All Scripture (whether Old or New Testament) is literally inspired by God and written for our learning, for conviction, for reproof, and for instruction (2 Tim 3:16). God’s mind does not change. So we can find many useful admonitions for godly living in the Old Testament. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4), such as many Old Testament stories of Samson, Gideon or Moses.
  • 1 Corinthians 10 refers to some examples from the history of the people of Israel and gives them spiritual significance for us today. Here we learn that the history of the people was not only written for our instruction, but that God directed the destiny of the people in such a way that they can serve as an example for us today (1 Cor 10:6, 11).

This list could easily be expanded. The entire book of Hebrews is based on a spiritual translation of the Old Testament.

Have you been neglecting the Old Testament? Then be encouraged to study it again and above all to seek the Lord Jesus in it. You will find Him on every page.

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Share this article:

You want to contact us? Ask a question or let us know what you think! 

Write a message here!

Leave a Comment

Abiding in Christ

This article is about abiding in Christ as both privilege and responsibility: only by living in dependence on His presence can believers bear “fruit” that reflects His character. It stresses that fruit isn’t produced by striving for it, but by focusing on Christ—“without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4–5

The Favor of the World

This article is about how the world’s praise can be shallow and fleeting. Using Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction to Daniel and the crowd’s reversal toward Paul, it warns that exaggerated favor can quickly turn into hostility without true inner change.
 Daniel 2,46

Which Believers Go Through the Great Tribulation?

This article is about whether today’s Christians will face the Great Tribulation. It argues the church will be raptured before end-time wrath, explains the rapture vs. Christ’s public appearing, and identifies the believers in Revelation’s tribulation as those who come to faith after the rapture.
Marriage & Family

Situationship

This article is about “situationships”: undefined, commitment-free relationships that blur friendship and romance. Using Leon and Emma as an example, it warns they create imbalance and hurt, and argues from a biblical view for clarity, responsibility, protection, purity, and commitment toward marriage.
Amos 3:3

The Hummingbird – a Masterpiece of God’s Creation

This article is about the hummingbird as a marvel of nature—exploring its unique hovering flight, specialized wing and muscle structure, extreme metabolism, nectar-feeding tongue design, and cooling methods, framed as evidence of divine creative power.
Romans 1:20

Scripture Alone?!

This article is about whether 2 Timothy 3:16–17 undermines “Scripture alone.” It argues the passage supports Scripture’s sufficiency, distinguishes apostolic teaching from later tradition, affirms NT authority, and says the church recognized—not created—the canon.
2 Timothy 3:16.17

Revelation—Not a Book with Seven Seals!

This article is about why the Bible’s book of Revelation isn’t a sealed mystery but an “unveiling” of future events centered on Jesus Christ. It explains key opening verses, symbolic language, the chain of revelation, and the blessing for reading, hearing, and keeping its message.
Revelation 1:1-3
Gospel

My Sin is Great

This article is about sincere confession: admitting our sin is great and seeking forgiveness for God’s name’s sake. It explains that faith trusts God’s mercy shown in Christ’s cross, producing honesty that doesn’t downplay guilt, and notes the Psalms’ purposeful order.
Psalm 25:11
Church/Assembly

All Present Before God

This article is about Acts 10:33 and Cornelius’s gathering as a model for Christian meetings: obedience to God’s leading, awareness of God’s presence, listening to the whole message without picking parts, and speaking only what God commands—nothing added or omitted.
Acts 10:33

Q&A What does it mean, that God has given us “of His Spirit”

This article is about the meaning of “from His Spirit” in 1 John 4:13, explaining it doesn’t mean believers receive only part of the Spirit. Instead, it highlights what proceeds from God’s Spirit—love, truth, holiness—becoming visible evidence that God abides in us.
1 John 3:24; 4:13

Our Great High Priest

This article is about Jesus as the superior High Priest in Hebrews: His once-for-all sacrifice for sin, His ongoing heavenly service with compassion and help for believers, and His continual intercession before God that brings grace, mercy, and confidence to draw near.
Hebrews 2:17–18; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24
Bible Study

The Old Man and The New Man

This article is about the New Testament concepts of the “old self” and “new self”: the old self judged and crucified with Christ, the new self created in His resurrection, and how believers should live out their new identity by putting off old traits and displaying Christlike ones.
Romans 6:6; Ephesians 2:15; 4:22.24; Colossians 3:9.10