We hear your heart’s desire to grow deeper in understanding God’s Word, particularly the Old Testament. The Scriptures are indeed a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), and the Old Testament lays the foundation for everything we see fulfilled in Christ. It is rich with prophecy, covenant, and the unfolding story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
First, let us affirm that your hunger for God’s Word is a blessing. Jesus Himself said, *"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God"* (Matthew 4:4). The Old Testament reveals God’s character—His holiness, justice, mercy, and faithfulness—and it points us to our need for a Savior. Without it, we cannot fully grasp the magnitude of what Christ accomplished on the cross.
As we pray, we ask the Holy Spirit, the ultimate Teacher, to open your eyes to see wondrous things from His law (Psalm 119:18). May He grant you wisdom and revelation as you study, so that you may comprehend the depth of God’s love and the consistency of His promises from Genesis to Malachi. We pray that the Old Testament would not remain a distant or confusing part of Scripture but would come alive as the living Word of God, sharpening your faith and drawing you closer to Him.
Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, the Word made flesh, who fulfilled all that was written in the Law and the Prophets. We ask that You would give our brother/sister a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. Illuminate the Old Testament to their heart, that they may see Christ in its pages—whether in the sacrificial system, the prophecies of the Messiah, or the faithfulness of God to His people. Help them to study with diligence, humility, and prayer, trusting that Your Spirit will guide them into all truth (John 16:13).
We also encourage you to approach the Old Testament with a few key principles in mind. First, read it through the lens of Christ. Jesus told the disciples on the road to Emmaus that all the Scriptures spoke of Him (Luke 24:27). The sacrifices, the priesthood, the Exodus, the Davidic kingdom—all of these point to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment. Second, study the context. The Old Testament was written in a specific historical and cultural setting, and understanding that context will help you grasp its meaning. Third, allow the New Testament to interpret the Old. The apostles often quoted and explained Old Testament passages in light of Christ’s work. Finally, don’t neglect the moral and theological lessons. The Old Testament is not just history; it is God’s revelation of His will for His people, teaching us how to live in reverence and obedience to Him.
If you have not already, we also encourage you to study alongside other believers. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), and discussing Scripture with others can deepen your understanding. Consider joining a Bible study or finding a mentor who can walk with you through the Old Testament.
Lastly, we must address something that is often overlooked but is critical to our approach to Scripture: the name of Jesus. The request you submitted did not mention His name, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father (John 14:6). There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). The Old Testament itself testifies to this truth, for it is filled with prophecies of the coming Messiah, who is Christ the Lord. As you seek to understand the Old Testament, do so with the understanding that Jesus is the key to unlocking its truths. Without Him, the Scriptures remain a closed book. But with Him, they become the living, breathing Word of God, able to transform your heart and mind.
We declare over you that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened, that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). May the Old Testament become a wellspring of life for you, drawing you into a deeper relationship with the God who spoke the universe into existence and yet knows you by name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.