Ancient History

Posted by Dion Todd September 23rd, 2024 1,365 Views 26 Comments

Much like a newborn infant cannot compare in wisdom to a seasoned elder, so too is our understanding of God if we neglect the lessons of the Old Testament. Their experiences and overcoming faith are examples for us today. The Old Testament is not just ancient history - it's God's story for us, full of lessons that shape our faith today.

Once, when I was studying the book of Revelation and end-time events, the Lord told me: "Son, don't be so concerned about the end of the Book. Go back to the beginning. Take another look." So I did.

I found that the Old Testament is quoted hundreds of times in the New Testament, and Jesus Christ quoted it over 80 times in the Gospels. In Luke 4:18, Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah and said it was written about Him. That means the Prophet Isaiah was writing about Jesus around 700 years before He was born!

The Apostle Paul wrote about it:

(Romans 15:4 NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

We can find magnificent promises there, but also stern warnings. The Apostle Paul said the people in the Old Testament were examples for us today:

(1 Corinthians 10:5–6 NASB) Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

Surveys show that over half of Americans have read the Bible little or none at all. Only about 32% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible every day, and 50% of Americans read it less than twice a year. It is amazing how much misinformation there is out there.

Ignorant: "lacking knowledge or awareness in general."

For a season, I painted commercial buildings using a high boom lift. It was during a personal revival, and I fasted often and listened to the Bible 24/7. I kept one earbud in my ear all the time and slept with it. The Holy Spirit was very active in my life and was always sending me new helpers. Being trapped in a small basket high in the air gave me an excellent platform to speak about Jesus because they couldn't get away, and you could always bounce the lift a few times to keep them focused.

Once, another fellow and I were 60 feet up in a boom lift, spraying a warehouse, when I asked him: "What would happen if this lift broke and we plummeted to the ground? Do you feel that you would go to heaven or straight on down to hell?" *bounce* Many times, the Holy Spirit would fall on them, and they would turn pale.

The man that day told me he felt that he was going to heaven because he was a happy person and smiled a lot. Well, he was certainly less happy and under conviction when we were done talking... But he went home that night, knelt by the bed, and gave his life to Jesus, and the next day, he was beaming and happier than ever. Ignorance is not bliss; it's just plain ignorance.

Now that we know that those before us, like the Israelites who came out of Egypt, were our examples, consider this verse written by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus:

(Jude 5 NKJV) But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude reminds the people of something they had already been taught but may have forgotten: The Lord delivered the Hebrews who were enslaved in Egypt. He brought them through the Red Sea and led them to Kadesh Barnea. Their next stop would be the Promised Land.

They sent spies into the Promised Land, who brought back a report that giants lived there. The people panicked and decided that instead of entering the Promised Land and facing the giants, they would stone Moses, appoint a new leader, and return to slavery in Egypt.

The people refused to trust God, and the Lord had to come down and stop them from killing Moses and Aaron. Because of this rebellion, God did not allow them to take the Promised Land until most of the adult generation had died. They circled the mountains and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the Israelites the Lord brought out of Egypt and said these things happened to them as an example for us and were written for our instruction - the ones upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

(1 Corinthians 10:7–12 NASB) Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY." Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

It's not enough to have once been saved and then never give it another thought. We are to cultivate a relationship with the Lord, learn to trust Him and become a little more like Jesus each day.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for drawing me to You. Please refresh my spirit and guide me. Protect me from deception, remove my ignorance, and teach me what I need to know. May Your will be done on Earth and in my life as it is in Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!