{"id":32353,"date":"2022-09-10T16:06:17","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-to-navigate-difficult-passages-of-the-old-testament\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:06:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:06:17","slug":"3-ways-to-navigate-difficult-passages-of-the-old-testament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ways-to-navigate-difficult-passages-of-the-old-testament\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways to Navigate Difficult Passages of the Old Testament"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Chris Hulshof<\/em><\/p>\n

As the new year begins, Christians often decide to read through the Bible starting in Genesis. But by the second week of January, many of those same readers begin to get off track.<\/p>\n

Reading habits that may start well in Genesis and Exodus often go astray when the assigned readings move into Leviticus which focuses heavily on Old Testament law.<\/p>\n

The book of Numbers is a little more easy to read because of the large amount of narrative content, but then Deuteronomy becomes as difficult as Leviticus because Moses\u2019 farewell addresses take up the majority of the book.<\/p>\n

It seems as if the opening books of the Bible derail many people’s attempts to read through God\u2019s Word in a year.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s good news! Every believer can successfully navigate the Old Testament as they read through the Bible by keeping these three ideas in mind:<\/p>\n

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Don’t settle for a \u201cmoral of the story\u201d understanding of the passage.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most common ways people misread the Old Testament is through a \u201cmoral of the story\u201d lens.<\/p>\n

When people read the Old Testament using this methodology, they\u2019re looking for ways to stand with resolve like Joseph, lead like Moses or Nehemiah, be a more committed individual like Ruth, or become more fearless like Esther.<\/p>\n

Reading the Old Testament as a collection of stories designed to teach one how to do right and avoid wrong misses the redemptive story of the Bible. There\u2019s more to those stories than this!<\/p>\n

It also doesn\u2019t suffice to view Old Testament characters as merely examples to follow with life lessons to either reject or embrace. This type of reading fails to address humanity\u2019s greatest need.<\/p>\n

Humans are radically corrupt because of the fall. Our sin problem goes much deeper than any outward, \u201cdo it yourself\u201d remedy can fix.<\/p>\n

What we need most is a rescuer, not a role model. We need a substitute, not a better version of ourselves.<\/p>\n

Reading the Old Testament through a \u201cmoral of the story\u2019 lens doesn\u2019t help people connect all of the biblical stories to God\u2019s full redemptive plan as it develops from Genesis through Malachi.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind the basic themes or acts of the Bible.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In his book, The Big Story: How the Bible Makes Sense of Life<\/em>, Justin Buzzard argues the Bible is made up of five themes or acts as it moves from Genesis to Revelation.<\/p>\n

Buzzard identifies these as: God, creation, rebellion, rescue, and home. Each of these themes can function as a hook to hang an Old Testament story on.<\/p>\n

For example, as you read through the book of Numbers, recognize you\u2019re reading a series of rebellion<\/em> stories. These are the stories of a generation that chose to reject God\u2019s promise of a homeland and consequently wandered in the wilderness until all those who were over 20 years old had died (barring Joshua and Caleb).<\/p>\n

When reading through the tabernacle blueprints in Exodus 25:1-31:18, note there\u2019s an underlying theme that supports the idea that God has always wanted to dwell with His people.<\/p>\n

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The tabernacle instructions provide a home<\/em> story where God is taking the initiative to create a place where He can live with His people.<\/p>\n

The narratives of the flood, the parting of the Red Sea, and God\u2019s repeated deliverance of Israel in the book of Judges are examples of numerous rescue<\/em> stories recorded in the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

Keeping these basic themes or acts in mind allows one to understand each Old Testament story in light of the redemptive plan of God on display in the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

Look for the gospel handle in the passage.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Former seminary professor Dr. Francis Rossow frequently used the term \u201cgospel handle\u2019 to describe a word or phrase that\u2014while not necessarily gospel-centric\u2014can serve as a bridge to the gospel message.<\/p>\n

For example, in his book Gospel Handles,<\/em> Rossow picks up on the use of the word \u201csign\u201d in Genesis 9:12 and Luke 2:12.<\/p>\n