How important is the Old Testament?
Brethren,
Any covenant, just like the Old and New Covenant, is a contract. This contract has terms for each party to acknowledge and promise to obey in order for the contract to continue its validity.
All Covenants are Contracts That Can Be Broken – Except One
Therefore, contracts can be broken. Except one.
Biblical contracts were sealed by a sacrifice of blood. In the Old Covenant, the parties would walk between the bloody animal pieces indicating they now were one in nature and unified, relinquishing their individuality. The Abrahamic covenant was made between God Himself in that no man could break it, since God Himself walked between the bloody sacrifice. It is perpetually in effect until the end of time.
The New Covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, and is the only flawless sacrifice acceptable to the Father to assuage His wrath that abides on sinners in rebellion to Him. The new creation is a saint, and never a sinner again if they endure to the end!
Three Ways to Handle Old Covenant Principles, i.e. Laws, Rules
There appears to be three basic ways to handle the Old Covenant-Testament-Contract laws or God’s eternal purpose, principles, and practices.
One, the Old Covenant has no place or relationship in modern life.
Two, the entire Old Covenant is still in effect.
And three, the Old Covenant provisions are still in effect unless the New Covenant has changed, amplified, or negated them.
Christ is the Redeemer and King
Here at Walk Worthy, we subscribe and believe option three is the truth that best fits the Word and history. We proceed on that truth.
There are over three hundred direct Old Covenant quotes and perhaps another thousand illusions to the Old Testament principles in the New Covenant. To those people who say the Old Testament has no place in the New Covenant, and there are a whole bunch of them in the church today, this poses an insurmountable hurdle for these naysayers.
But that never stops some people, does it? Some time ago I tried to bring the OT principles of the marriage vows contract from Deuteronomy and Leviticus into a heated discussion in a modern failed marriage since they form the basis for any modern marriage. One brother who stonewalls frequently and obviously had no interest in carefully hearing both sides said with crude disdain and scoffing, “That’s Old Testament stuff,” dismissing everything I had to say in disrespect.
He never even inquired of me how we get our modern marriage vows after I made mention of this fact of the OT background origin. He had already made up his mind to be irreconcilable to at least one of the estranged parties in the marriage that was in trouble.
More on the Old Testament principles on modern marriage vows a bit later.
What are these folks, then, to do with these passages that clearly call upon the Old Testament in the New Testament?
2 Timothy 3:14-15 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Old Testament) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture (the Old Testament ‘sacred writings’ primarily in this context) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times (Old Testament) was written for our instruction (now), so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures (Old Testament) we might have hope.
John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures (Old Testament) because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
John 20:9 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture (Old Testament), that He must rise again from the dead.
Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures (Old Testament) nor the power of God.
Luke 24:27, 32, 45 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He (Jesus Christ) explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Old Testament)…They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures (Old Testament) to us?”…Then He opened their minds (revealed Himself) to understand the Scriptures (Old Testament)…
Examples of New Testament Changes from Old Testament
Numerous examples exist where Old Testament principles are now negated in the New Covenant. Here’s but a few…
Hundreds of OT passages in the NT
Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, since the previous mediator were the priests, which includes the modern unbiblical role of a “pastor.” Hebrews 12.24
Jesus came to fulfill the OT law. Matt 5.17-19
Jesus says to not resist and evil person, but turn the other cheek. Matt. 5.39
All foods are now clean. Mark 7.19, Rom. 14.20
No need to observe the OT feasts and festivals, etc. Col. 2.16
No one can demand a specific Sabbath day. Col. 2.16
No financial requirement for a tithe exists today. 2 Cor. 9.7
Examples of the Old Covenant Principles Still in Place
In order to fully understand the heart of God and correctly dividing His Word in every age, we must know several things.
First, the Bible is a high context document, meaning it was written directly to ancient mid-eastern people using few words and explanations since they would implicitly understand their current times.
There is no explanation of crucifixion. None. But they knew it intimately since the roads were often lined with crucified men who were in various stages of death, and some were already dead and left rotting in the sun to serve as examples.
Second, God used the method of teaching His principles, practices, rules, and laws to cover the lowest common situation, meaning that everything greater was also covered. Our brother Paul, in speaking of supporting financially hard-working apostles, teachers, etc. says in 1 Cor. 9.9 and 1 Tim. 5.18 that God is “not concerned about oxen, is He?”
This follows his direct quote of the OT passage from Deuteronomy 25.4 where the oxen working the harvest are not to be muzzled, meaning let them eat of the fruit of their labor. This is the lowest common situation. Therefore, let the church worker eat of the fruit of his labor, the body is to “feed” them since they are much higher than an ox. So, God is not concerned (only) with oxen, is He?
Jesus never spoke directly of rape, incest, or homosexuality. So, the compromising world, and many Bible believers say He has agreed with or is at least neutral in the case of same sex relationships. Nonsense. Our Lord used the Greek word porneia, where in the west we get the modern term of pornography, for outlawing all sexual relationship outside heterosexual marriage. And Paul spoke directly to the homosexual and other perverted sexual issues several times.
Therefore, the OT contract principles here still apply in modern life for these sex sins.
How About Those Marriage Vows Mentioned Earlier?
We can’t tell you the anguish and heartache we share with others over the vast misinterpretation of Jesus Christ’s teachings on divorce and remarriage in the New Testament. More downright miserable and even dangerous failed marriages and their failed vows in the eyes of God Himself are upheld and perpetrated due to the stubborn refusal of so-called believers to understand the heart of God. And His Word that clearly reveals that heart of His.
Remember earlier the high context of the Scriptures known well to the original audience? Well, they would have known that when Jesus was asked if a person can get divorced “for any cause,” that term meant the ‘no-fault’ divorce of the day! He was saying “No, of course not!” Also, He never meant to give any other teaching on the still-intact OT marriage vows used for the NT. His direct answer was that for all martial unfaithfulness, or sexual sin known as porneia, the victim of the broken vows, could divorce and remarry.
Jesus, nor the writers of the Gospels, never assumed their listeners needed any further explanation. For instance, if I say to someone in our culture in the west who lives here too, “Teenagers shouldn’t drink,” they know instinctively it means no alcohol…not all drink!
In the OT contract we have an excellent word on the basic marriage vows. Here the passage is speaking to the principles of a Hebrew husband taking a second wife, a slave girl:
Exodus 21:10-11 “If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money…
This is lowest common situation. It certainly applies to all no-slave, free wives, first marriages as well. The basic requirements for both husband and wife are providing and preparing food, clothing (and shelter), and mutual sex. Pretty practical. Notice if the husband failed to provide these from his part, the slave wife was free to leave (divorce) without any financial obligation on her part.
These OT passages are where we derive the modern vows in most cultures today to love, honor, which again are the minimums, and sometimes “obey.” This includes in the mind of God both physical, emotional, and sexual provision, i.e. respect for the husband and love for the wife. Also, these certainly included the prohibitions against the higher situation of persistent neglect, abuse, and abandonment both physically, emotionally and sexually.
Now, take the real life example of a spouse (the perpetrator) who picks up a dangerous weapon, whether a cast iron pan or gun, and keeps assaulting the innocent spouse (the victim). If you subscribe to the “plain teaching” of Jesus and insist the spousal victim stay in the marriage and under the same roof since it’s not “adultery,” what do you say to the victim’s family at the victim’s funeral?
This type of abuse, neglect, abandonment happens all the time in marriages, Christian and non-Christian. It comes in many demonic colors. The martial vow minimums, again, are food, clothing, and sex. But like the oxen and the slave girl wife, these are minimums…and all other more important and elevated situations obviously apply. If not consistently and persistently met, the marriage vows are broken. And divorce is allowed for the victim if the perpetrator is unrepentant and willful.
Our great God is compassionate and knows many of His children need the marriage to live out their life in spiritual, emotional, sexual, and physical health and wellbeing.
A broken promise is a broken vow
Broken Marriage Vows: The Hidden Iceberg in the Church Today
Broken vows in Christian marriages are hardly ever discussed. It’s taboo to a body that is too arrogant to admit fault.
These broken vows, besides just adultery, also include persistent and consistent disrespect and dishonor from a wife towards a husband, resulting in neglect, abuse, and abandonment whether for emotional, physical, or sexual reasons, which can certainly cause severe physical trauma.
David Instone-Brewer has the best resources for this most difficult issue.
Recap: Three Ways to Handle Old Covenant Principles, i.e. Laws, Rules
There appears to be three basic ways to handle the Old Covenant-Testament-Contract laws or God’s eternal purpose, principles, and practices.
One, the Old Covenant has no place or relationship in modern life.
Two, the entire Old Covenant is still in effect.
And three, the Old Covenant provisions are still in effect unless the New Covenant has changed, amplified, or negated them.
Here at Walk Worthy, we subscribe and believe option three is the truth that best fits the Word and history. We live by that truth.
The Truth About the Current Value of the Old Covenant-Contract
So, beloved, this short treatise most certainly brings to the forefront the fact of the exceeding value of the Old Testament-Covenant-Contract commands that our Lord designed for modern living. Without which we are lost to the practical and gracious love of our Almighty God for our daily life of fruitfulness!
This has nothing to do with the negation of the Law, with its ordinances nailed to the cross. Hallelujah! For no one was ever initially saved by the keeping of the Law, performing it’s sacrifices, getting circumcised, etc. But certainly keeping the commandments as required by God is the outward reality of an inward living faith, i.e. faith works.
Even in the book of Habakkuk, we find the first mention that the righteous shall live by faith as God speaks there to His prophet. What a comfort to know our Lord draws, gives the gift of repentance, and provides everything for life and holiness. Even today…
Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith…”
2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
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THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK OF ITSELF [RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD 14]
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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
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You may view our Archives here: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org
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