Some may wonder about the value of the Old Testament now that we have the New Testament. So why is the Old Testament important? It is clear looking at scripture that the Old Testament remains crucial for followers of Jesus. Far from being obsolete, the Old Testament forms the foundation upon which the New Testament stands.
Reveals God’s Character and Nature
One of the richest benefits of reading the Old Testament is discovering the character of God. Through the stories, poetry, laws, and prophecies, we come to know God more fully – His power, love, holiness, justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
From the very first chapter of Genesis, we see God as Creator, powerful and intentional. Later, we see His holiness in the giving of the Law, His righteous anger toward sin, and His deep compassion in repeatedly rescuing His people. These qualities are not “Old Testament” alone – they are consistent and unchanging, and they underpin everything we read in the New Testament.
Without the Old Testament, we would lack the context to understand why the cross was necessary, or how God’s covenant love has always been pointing toward Jesus. Studying the Old Testament deepens our appreciation for God’s enduring nature and enriches our faith.
Also check this out: God in the Old Testament vs New Testament
Sets the Stage for Jesus and the Gospel
The Old Testament is not a disconnected story – it is the promise and lays our the reason for a saviour, and the New Testament is the fulfilment. Jesus Himself made it clear:
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me” ( John 5:39 Explore this verse ).
The prophecies in Isaiah, the foreshadowing of the sacrificial system in Leviticus, and the longing for a perfect King – all these threads lead directly to Jesus. By reading the Old Testament, Christians can witness the build-up to Christ’s arrival and understand the magnitude of what His life, death, and resurrection mean.
This continuity is one of the greatest faith-builders: it reveals the Bible as one unified story of redemption. The Old Testament shows that God had a plan from the beginning, and Jesus is the long-awaited fulfilment.
Offers Endless Practical Lessons and Spiritual Wisdom
Learn from Stories
The Old Testament offers an endless treasure trove of real-life and parable stories that serve as both encouragement and warning. These accounts help us understand God further and navigate our own lives.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” ( Romans 15:4 Explore this verse ).
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us” ( 1 Corinthians 10:11 Explore this verse ).
From the failure of Cain, to Abraham’s trust in God’s promises, to Moses’ leadership under pressure, to David’s heart of worship – we see ourselves in their triumphs and flaws. Their journeys instruct us in trusting God, waiting on His timing, and learning from their mistakes (and much more).
God has embedded spiritual lessons into the lives of His people throughout the Old Testament. By reading them, we learn not only what to believe, but how to live wisely and faithfully in a world that often pulls us the other way.
Wisdom and Lessons
These ancient texts are not merely historical – they are deeply personal, speaking to the everyday struggles, joys, and decisions that modern Christians face.
For example the book of Psalms. It teaches us how to talk to God honestly, no matter what we are feeling. Whether you’re rejoicing, grieving, feeling abandoned, or overwhelmed with gratitude, there’s a psalm that gives voice to those emotions.
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” ( Psalm 34:18 Explore this verse ).
David and the other psalmists teach us that we don’t need to sanitize our prayers. We can bring our anger, fear, doubt, and joy directly to God. The Psalms help us worship with authenticity and pray with vulnerability. For the modern believer, they offer comfort, spiritual expression, and a way to connect deeply with God in all seasons of life.
Check this out: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The Story of the Holy Spirit
Builds Our Trust in God’s Faithfulness
One of the most comforting aspects of reading the Old Testament is seeing God’s faithfulness played out over centuries. Time and again, God makes promises – and keeps them.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments” ( Deuteronomy 7:9 Explore this verse ).
God promised to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed – and He did. He promised a Messiah – and Jesus came. He promised to be with His people even in exile – and He never left them.
When Christians see how God fulfilled every Old Testament promise in Christ, it strengthens our faith in the promises He’s made in the New Testament. It also strengthens our faith in the promises he has made in our own lives as we hear from him and grow in dependence on him.
Jesus and the Apostles Valued the Old Testament
If Jesus and the early Church valued the Old Testament, we should too. Jesus quoted the Old Testament constantly in His teaching and during His temptation in the wilderness.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” ( Matthew 4:4 Explore this verse ).
He also referenced historical events like Noah’s flood
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” ( Matthew 24:37-38 Explore this verse )
and rooted His identity and mission in the words of the prophets e.g. (Luke 4:17-21). Likewise, the apostles regularly preached from the Old Testament:
“As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead” ( Acts 17:2-3 Explore this verse ).
The early Christians didn’t see the Old Testament as outdated; they saw it as the bedrock for understanding Jesus. If we are to follow Christ we must be shaped by all of Scripture.
Conclusion
The Old Testament is not an ancient, irrelevant document – it is a living testimony to God’s nature, His promises, and His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Its value wasn’t erased by the New Testament – it was fulfilled and illuminated.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” ( 2 Timothy 3:16 Explore this verse ).
At the time this verse was written, “all Scripture” referred primarily to the Old Testament. Ignoring it you’d miss the foundation, the setup, and the rich context that brings the New Testament to life.
So the next time you wonder, why read the Old Testament, remember: it’s the platform upon which the gospel stands. Embrace it, study it, and let it draw you deeper into the heart of God.
