Old Testament Examples
QUESTION
Are the examples of Old Testament folks like Lot, Solomon, and David still relevant to us? I know we can learn from their stories and examples, but why can we assume that the mechanics of their relationships with God are the same as our relationship with God? Hasn't a lot changed since Jesus came? I really hope you can give me some insight on this. (Anonymous)
ANSWER
My thoughts follow…
Are the examples of Old Testament folks like Lot, Solomon, and David still relevant to us?
Yes. They are all relevant to us because they are all held up as examples of the exact same God-given faith which we have (Hebrews 11). One would have to remove this chapter from the new testament to make the case that such OT examples were no longer relevant, not to mention the numerous OT examples offered up by the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Paul said, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4), and also, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (I Corinthians 10:11). Clearly the apostle Paul believed that the lives of the saints recorded in the OT provide relevant instruction for New Testament Christians.
I know we can learn from their stories and examples, but why can we assume that the mechanics of their relationships with God are the same as our relationship with God.
The mechanics of the salvation of the OT saints is exactly the same at that of the NT saints. The difference between them is in the amount and clarity of revelation to which they had access. All are saved by what Christ did on their behalf plus absolutely nothing else (Hebrews 9:12, 10:14; Romans 5:19). The reason that anyone would think that there are different requirements for the OT saints compared to the NT saints is because they look to what the MAN is doing, rather than looking to what CHRIST DID wherein lies the fulfillment of ALL the requirements of eternal life.
Hasn't a lot changed since Jesus came?
The requirements for eternal life have not changed. They have been fulfilled by Christ for God's people (II Corinthians 5:21). What has changed is the degree of gospel information we possess. We have the explicit NT gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4, II Corinthians 5:21) whereas the OT saints had only types and shadows. In the final mix, all of God's people are saved by what Christ did on their behalf (Romans 5:19) not by the works of righteousness they have done (Titus 3:5), nor by the degree of revelation to which they are exposed.
I really hope you can give me some insight on this.
I hope so too. I think the matter is only properly understood to the extent that we embrace the truth that we are saved entirely by what Christ did (Hebrews 9:12, 10:14), not by what we do (II Timothy 1:9), and that those who will be in heaven will be composed of those who heard nothing of Christ (Rachel's children, Jeremiah 31:15-17, Matt 2:16-18), those who had only vague types and shadows (Job 9:2), as well as those who had explicit Gospel understanding of what the Lord has done on their behalf (I Corinthians 15:3-4). But don't take my word for it, search the scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11)
- Elder Daniel Samons