How to Approach the Old Testament

People read the Bible differently and for various reasons, but our purpose is often driven by an egocentric perspective of what the Bible says about us.

An egocentric perspective makes the reader the primary subject or only purpose of the approaching Bible. Such a motivation leaves us reading the Bible and relativizing the meaning of the Bible based on the physical or emotional circumstances of our lives.

In this fashion, we tend to utilize our Bible in one of two ways:

• As an inspirational buffet, offering up a jolt of encouragement that can cut through the most profound moments of despair

Or

• As if each character in the text serves as a beacon of moral guidance, blazing a trail that can guide us in our everyday life.

This egocentric approach is much of why the Old Testament feels so irrelevant.

Amidst the dry and tedious law codes, amid never-ending genealogies, bloody wars, and political shrewdness, uplifting passages seem rare. Similarly, moral lessons appear limited, as many key figures in the Old Testament are portrayed as anything but favorable.

Let's be honest. We don't need help creating more barriers to reading the Old Testament. We are already so far removed from their time and culture that we begin our reading with the expectation that understanding the Old Testament is an insurmountable task. Layering on an egocentric approach to the text only widens the chasm between us and these Scriptures.

Looking for ourselves first in the Bible is simply inadequate.

This does not mean we should never look for ourselves or try to understand our relationship to God and others through the Bible. But it cannot be the primary approach to Scripture. Instead, we must seek God first within the text. The Bible is a book about Him after all! Scripture should inform and transform our lives. But this does happen because we increase our knowledge of self but because we are increasing our knowledge of God's character and His relationship to His people throughout history.

Below is a process that was helpful for me as I ventured below the surface of the Old Testament. This template provided me with focused intent to learn more about God rather than being side-tracked by what I thought the text was saying about me. My hope is that this process will prove to be beneficial for you as well.

1. Be aware of your assumptions.

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions" - Proverbs 18:2

You may be surprised to know what assumptions you are bringing to any particular text. Whether these presuppositions came from past teachings on a passage, information or imagery you've absorbed from pop culture, or your general thoughts - I promise you, presuppositions exist and are influencing your understanding in some form or fashion. Approach your reading humbly.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What have I heard about this passage before?

• What emotions does this passage bring up for me?

• What do I think is the purpose of this passage?

• How has this passage shaped my overall belief in God?

You don't have to write a paper about it. Jot down a sentence or two, or even a few words that encapsulate your assumptions, and simply be aware of them as you read.

2. Look for God first.

"Then he [Jesus] said to them 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" - Luke 24:44-45

Jesus' own words validate the subject matter of Scripture. It is about Him.

This must remain central to our reading.

As you read, reflect on questions like:

• What does this passage tell me about God and His character?

• How did God relate to people in this passage?

• How might God's actions impacted the original audience this text was written for?

• How does this passage point to Jesus?

3. Think practically and prayerfully.

"What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." - 1 Corinthians 2:12

What I'm about to say is important: Every believer has the capacity to understand Scripture.

Even though we are separated from the original audience by thousands of miles and years, it is essential to remember that the Old Testament tells real stories about real people in real relationships, which are dynamics we can easily comprehend.

Think practically about the situations you encounter while keeping them within the historical and cultural bounds of the text. A good study Bible can provide information regarding the time, place, and culture of various books of the Bible - this will be incredibly helpful for framing the context of what you are reading.

(I recommend the NIV Cultural Background Study Bible or the NIV Life Application Study Bible)

And lastly, always pray. Pray before you read, pray as you read, and after you read. The Bible says that the Spirit will help us understand everything God has given us. If we are earnestly seeking the Spirit, He will guide us. Again, every believer has the capacity to understand the Old Testament - even you!

Grab your Bible, open the Old Testament, and let the journey begin.