By the end of the Old Testament period, the people who had conquered the Promised Land were now displaced, returning from a foreign land as exiles. The nation that was supposed to bring God’s light to the world had itself fallen into darkness. As you move further through Israel’s history, you see some of the most depraved stories you’ll ever read (Judges 19, for example). Through these stories, we see how far Israel had moved from God through disobedience and idolatry.
In these books, what also becomes glaringly clear is the need for God’s salvation. He shone glimpses of light against the backdrop of such darkness. He made a covenant with David, promising a descendant that would reign as king forever (2 Samuel 7:16). The covenant would find its ultimate fulfillment in Christ (Luke 1:31–33).
There is hope in Jesus. Through these books we see God’s grace and mercy time and time again. We see that God loves us so much that even when we fail He is there to forgive us and pick us back up and show us the way. He is our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord!
GOD our Heavenly Father is always faithful! He always loves us even when we have sinned as soon as we repent we are back in fellowship with HIM
I know that Israel was God’s chosen people. I would argue that those of us born during Jesus’ life on earth and after are His blessed people. Hebrews 11:30-40 is so powerful in reminding us that we are born AFTER the work for our salvation has been completed. We are not living our lives trying to be perfect or blameless or repeatedly offering sacrifices. We have already been forgiven if we receive it. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS AND SHARE THIS SALVATION THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US. God is so good!
The Old Testament is God’s first acts of love for his people. How no matter the behavior He desired for his people to turn away from evil and devote themselves to him. He continually redeems those who seek forgiveness. The same story transcends into the New Testament with the birth, life and resurrection of Christ. I continually return to Deuteronomy 31:5-6 where Joshua is being told that the Lord goes before him and he will never leave him or forsake him. The same promise is repeated time after time for any person who will put their faith in Christ and that promise is centuries old yet still ever true and available to me.
I believe that these books give me a great view into how God deals with His children – both in seasons of obedience and times when we disobey. I think it shows how He will use even my messiness for my good – drawing me back to being close to Him and everything that I need, if I will come. It helps me remember that I am not that different from all of my brothers and sisters – now and in antiquity.
Until I read that last paragraph above I never thought about the ppl in the Old testament being ashamed of their sins. This instantly helped me to appreciate God’s love.
Studying and prayer at the beginning of the day keeps God front and center. Reminds me that I am not alone though I may be as small as an ant to him he can still see me, and I can bring him joy through my obedience. My way of loving God.
I think reading the stories can help us find a connection between the people in the Bible and ourselves. Regardless of these stories taking place thousands of years ago they were flesh as we are flesh and regardless of the time gap we see their struggles as our struggles and if God can forgive, redeem, and uplift them then he can us.
I get to see how God has loved others before me as He promised so it gives me hope that He will also love me as fully as He did those who came before me.
I think they can.These books shows us how He loves us even though we sin. This makes me remember His love for me because He died such a horrible death and rose again the third day so that I might have eternal life.