Can we learn from the craziness of the old testament?

[Blik]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

 

[Blain]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

This is a very good and insightful question. The symbolism of all these things were to symbolize what Jesus would do experience and bring in the new testament. The sacrificing of animals is the sacrifice of the one true lamb who was slain the cuts on the body were to represent the cuts he would have on his body the cutting of clothes actually has more than one meaning to it but ntoice how Jesus's clothes were cut torn and dispersed
Sending a goat out into the wilderness is yet another symbolism the suffering of the Jews who also were in the wilderness for forty years

 

[Magenta]

Hebrews 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the
blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:

I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord.

I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

17 Then He adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

18 And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.

 

[Blain]

Hebrews 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the
blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

but a body You prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings

You took no delight.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:

I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord.

I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

17 Then He adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

18 And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.

 

[Blik]

Hebrews 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the
blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:

I have come to do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord.

I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”

17 Then He adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

18 And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.

Are you saying that the Lord does not want us to learn from the symbolism of the old testament because it is impossible that the blood shed in the old testament has anything to do with the blood of Christ?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

It is unless you regard it as "craziness".

 

[Magenta]

Are you saying that the Lord does not want us to learn from the symbolism of the old testament because it is impossible that the blood shed in the old testament has anything to do with the blood of Christ?

I said no such thing. Gosh, you are the one who suggested the OT symbolism was craziness.

I am letting everyone know:

Everything in the OT pointed forward to the coming of Christ.

I am not sure how you got from Hebrews 10 that "it has nothing to do with the blood Christ."

 

[Corban]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

I agree with you. At first, the new student of scripture baffled by the Types and Shadows of the Old Testament. But our Lord Jesus said categorically, on the road to Emmaus, that all scripture speaks of Him. And then, as the years unfold, and we are introduced to the Grandness and All-inclusiveness of that wonderful God-Man, we start to be so thankful that God has deigned to reveal such a Person to us. For instance, there are FIVE main Offerings. Why these Five? What do they show? Why that order, and why do the first three not address sin or sins?

As the reasons unfold they become so real and practical for us, and they display the intricacy and forethought of our Great God and His magnificent Son. What would I do in this world of turmoil without Christ as my very practical Peace Offering? I slip and fall spiritually often. An idle word here, a thought of revenge there, and/or a glance at a nice car to lust after it. All are fleeting, and I deal harshly with them. But they are nevertheless momentarily present to show me my Adamic genes. What a relief that my High Priest was the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement. I can now be so sure that these fleeting sins, and some that are not so fleeting, are sent into a wilderness, never to be addressed again. How real. How comforting. It saves my relationship with a Holy God.

 

[oyster67]

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world.

Amen.

Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly.

Amen.

Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

Sure is. The Holy Spirit speaks through these OT passages as well.

2 Timothy
3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];
3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from.

It only appears that way. The Old Testament was written for our learning, but those who try to revert to Moses have actually learned nothing.

 

[Blik]

I and the Lord loves you all, every one of you. Not one of you say it is the blood of animals that is sacrificed for sin, blood that the Lord hates as is told in the first chapter of Isaiah. Every one of you spoke from the holy
Spirit within you all. It is a blessing. Thank you all.

 

[JaumeJ]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

I will not go into all for I cannot explain all but because of faith I hold them in my heart until given understanding.

I do understand about the two fabrics not to be combined. Our words (from our FatherI) are analgous to our clothes, our wedding garments,. We should not mix our works, that is works of God and works of the flesh otherwise we will be considered naked come the Kingdom.

The law not to mix two (ormore) kinds of seed when planting refer to not mixing the Gospel of our Savior with doctrines of man..they just cannot go together.s

All of the law points to Jesus-Yeshua. This does not mean anyone understands all of it other than the One Who gave them to Moses.

Never worry or fret on what you do not know, rejoice in all you have been given to know by the Holy Spirit. You love Jesus? This is the Holy Spirit teaching you.

 

[laymen]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

If you think about it the NT church did not have the NT as we have it in a canon today. Paul had to teach Christ from the OT. We got it easy if you ask me, having the (NT=New Testament) to read from where they had to make it for us.

 

[stepbystep]

Some things in the old testament seem impossible to learn from. It seems strange to kill animals for the forgiveness of sin, to not mix up what God created, even fabrics, to make cuts on the body to announce belonging to the Lord, to send a goat into the wilderness, the duties of the high priest. This is just a few of the strangeness of the old testament.

The old testament uses the physical world as symbols of the spiritual world. Today the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts directly. Is it worth plowing through the symbolism to learn more about our Lord?

I understand the idea behind your question, but I am sure I would not call the Scriptures of Gods Written Word "craziness." Every word in Gods Word has a purpose and is valuable for all believers. That value can be in different ways, but it remains truth that Gods Word is valuable to all believers.


"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

How this Scripture applies to the Scriptures in the Old Testament is for us to study and seek understanding of. Doing this requires sincere prayer, dedicated study, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Magenta]

Paul had to teach Christ from the OT.

Paul taught from personal revelation.

For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it
from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12

 

[posthuman]

If you think about it the NT church did not have the NT as we have it in a canon today. Paul had to teach Christ from the OT. We got it easy if you ask me, having the (NT=New Testament) to read from where they had to make it for us.

While what Magenta pointed out about Paul directly receiving revelation from Christ needs to be acknowledged, i understood what you mean by saying Paul taught Christ from the OT.

We should also be able to pick up virtually any part of the OT and teach Christ from it. If we can't, IMO we don't understand the OT.

 

[Magenta]

While what Magenta pointed out about Paul directly receiving revelation from Christ needs to be acknowledged, i understood what you mean by saying Paul taught Christ from the OT.

We should also be able to pick up virtually any part of the OT and teach Christ from it. If we can't, IMO we don't understand the OT.

Amen! Paul understood the transition from the OT covenants to the new better than any

 

[laymen]

Paul taught from personal revelation.

For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it
from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12

This is one example were Paul used the OT
Galatians 4:22–23 (AV): For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

 

[laymen]

Paul taught from personal revelation.

For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it
from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12

Here is one more
Acts 17:11 (AV): These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 

[Magenta]

Here is one more
Acts 17:11 (AV): These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

I prefer the Berean Study Bible

Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with
great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Acts 17:11