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People today think the Old Testament has little to do with our "New Testament" theology. Outside of prophecy, people don't think we should learn much about the Old Testament. I don't mean that nothing is taught from the Old Testament, but it is restricted to covering the main characters and history. Most churchgoers have been taught Gen 1-6, the story of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, and 1st and 2nd Kings, with a little Chronicles thrown in. And of course, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, and Nehemiah. Let's not forget a lot of teaching from Daniel. If you are lucky, you will have gone through Job, Proverbs, Psalms and the Song of Songs.
But no teaching from Ezra, Ecclesiastes, or Lamentations.
Regarding the books of the Prophets, there is an excellent chance you have gone through Hosea and occasional verses from the other minor Prophets. Of the three biggest prophetic books, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, you will have gotten the most teaching from Ezekiel because of the prophecy about the nation of Israel and the "third Temple." Very little is taught from Isaiah and Jeremiah outside a few verses, which is criminal since Isaiah is extremely important, especially concerning theology. Another book that should be covered is Deuteronomy. Have you ever been taken through any of these three books? And we have our favorite proof texts covered, "I know the plans I have for you...," "If my people, who are called by my name...," and "For such a time as this."
Beyond that, parts of the Old Testament don't apply to us today. But, there are parts that people should be taught but ignored. The parts that are ignored harm us and mar the complete picture of God that every believer should have burned in their mind. God doesn't change. There are verses about God that are important to know. You can argue with me but you can't argue with the verses. These verses are as valid today as when they were written.
Deut 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword and my hand takes on judgement, I will render vengeance to my enemies and will recompense them that hate me.
Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city that the LORD has not done?
Job 42:11 "...and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him..."
Lev 26:30 I will destroy your high places and cut down your images...and my soul will abhor you.
Deut 7:10 And repays them that hate Him to their face to destroy them. He will not be slack to those who hate Him. He will repay them to their face.
2Chr 21:18-19 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. And it came to pass that after two years, and his bowels fell out...(Acts 12:21-23)
Ps 5:5-6 The foolish shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy liars. The LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Ps 10:3 For the wicked brags of his heart's desire, and he blesses the covetous, whom the Lord hates.
Ps 11:5 The LORD tries the righteous, but He hates the wicked and the violent man.
Ps 78:58-59 For they provoked Him to anger with their high places and moved Him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, He was wroth and greatly abhorred Israel.
Ps 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance.
Ps 145:20 The LORD preserves all those who love Him, but He will destroy all the wicked.
Pro 3:32 For perverse people are an abomination to the LORD...
Pro 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves those who follow after righteousness.
Pro 17:15 He that justifies the wicked and he that condemns the just are both an abomination to the LORD.
Hos 9:15 All of their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of their wickedness, I will drive them out of My house and no longer love them...
Nah 1:2 "...the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries. He reserves wrath for His enemies.
Zec 11:8 "...My soul loathed them, and they hated Me.
After reading these verses, do you still believe God loves all people? And that His love is unconditional? Ask yourself this question, "Who does God love?" and read these three verses:
John 14:21 He that has my commandments and keeps them is the one that loves me. He that loves me will be loved by my Father. And I will love him.
John 14:23 "If a man loves me, he will keep my commandments. And my Father will love him...
John 16:27 For the Father loves you because you have loved me and believe that I came out of God.
You can believe what you like, but the verses say what the verses say. These verses are in your bible. You can believe them or ignore them. Even if you ignore them, that doesn't make the verses go away. Even if you don't like what the verses say, it doesn't make them not true.
John 14:
But no teaching from Ezra, Ecclesiastes, or Lamentations.
Regarding the books of the Prophets, there is an excellent chance you have gone through Hosea and occasional verses from the other minor Prophets. Of the three biggest prophetic books, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, you will have gotten the most teaching from Ezekiel because of the prophecy about the nation of Israel and the "third Temple." Very little is taught from Isaiah and Jeremiah outside a few verses, which is criminal since Isaiah is extremely important, especially concerning theology. Another book that should be covered is Deuteronomy. Have you ever been taken through any of these three books? And we have our favorite proof texts covered, "I know the plans I have for you...," "If my people, who are called by my name...," and "For such a time as this."
Beyond that, parts of the Old Testament don't apply to us today. But, there are parts that people should be taught but ignored. The parts that are ignored harm us and mar the complete picture of God that every believer should have burned in their mind. God doesn't change. There are verses about God that are important to know. You can argue with me but you can't argue with the verses. These verses are as valid today as when they were written.
Deut 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword and my hand takes on judgement, I will render vengeance to my enemies and will recompense them that hate me.
Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in a city and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city that the LORD has not done?
Job 42:11 "...and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him..."
Lev 26:30 I will destroy your high places and cut down your images...and my soul will abhor you.
Deut 7:10 And repays them that hate Him to their face to destroy them. He will not be slack to those who hate Him. He will repay them to their face.
2Chr 21:18-19 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. And it came to pass that after two years, and his bowels fell out...(Acts 12:21-23)
Ps 5:5-6 The foolish shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy liars. The LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Ps 10:3 For the wicked brags of his heart's desire, and he blesses the covetous, whom the Lord hates.
Ps 11:5 The LORD tries the righteous, but He hates the wicked and the violent man.
Ps 78:58-59 For they provoked Him to anger with their high places and moved Him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, He was wroth and greatly abhorred Israel.
Ps 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance.
Ps 145:20 The LORD preserves all those who love Him, but He will destroy all the wicked.
Pro 3:32 For perverse people are an abomination to the LORD...
Pro 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves those who follow after righteousness.
Pro 17:15 He that justifies the wicked and he that condemns the just are both an abomination to the LORD.
Hos 9:15 All of their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of their wickedness, I will drive them out of My house and no longer love them...
Nah 1:2 "...the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries. He reserves wrath for His enemies.
Zec 11:8 "...My soul loathed them, and they hated Me.
After reading these verses, do you still believe God loves all people? And that His love is unconditional? Ask yourself this question, "Who does God love?" and read these three verses:
John 14:21 He that has my commandments and keeps them is the one that loves me. He that loves me will be loved by my Father. And I will love him.
John 14:23 "If a man loves me, he will keep my commandments. And my Father will love him...
John 16:27 For the Father loves you because you have loved me and believe that I came out of God.
You can believe what you like, but the verses say what the verses say. These verses are in your bible. You can believe them or ignore them. Even if you ignore them, that doesn't make the verses go away. Even if you don't like what the verses say, it doesn't make them not true.
John 14: