Journey Through the Minor Prophets, Part 3Näide

Old Testament Wrap Up: In Front of the Text

As you think about the unique importance of each Testament in our Bible, remember that the Old Testament was the only Bible that Jesus and the Apostles had. That says a lot about how foundational it is for our faith.

The Bible Jesus Read

Jesus Christ is highly regarded even by non-believers for his innovative teachings. But were his teachings really “new”?

As we know, Jesus was not the beginning of a religious tradition, but a figure who developed and “fulfilled” an existing tradition centered on Torah and the Hebrew Bible. Jesus frequently references this tradition in the Gospels by the phrase “it is written.”

The Gospel of Matthew further identifies his source as “the Law and the Prophets” in each of the passages below.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV)

Jesus isn’t specifying which books are included in the Law and Prophets. He’s referencing established collections and assuming his audience will know just what books he’s talking about. This collection is referred to as “the Law, the Prophets and Psalms” in Luke 24:44, an indication that the three-part designation of Law, Prophets and Writings (known also by the largest and most popular book, Psalms) was already in use. In either case, these designations referred to the complete body of canonical texts in the time of the New Testament.

We can say that the “Bible” of the first century AD—whether in the original Hebrew (and Aramaic) or the Greek Septuagint—was a widely acknowledged, standing library of authoritative texts organized into two or three collections. Although the order of these collections sometimes varied, the choice of books was intact. Some debate about a few books late in the first century may only relate to their proper use. As the New Testament begins forming in the first century, it is important for all of us to realize that the “Bible” Jesus and the Apostles read and quoted from was what we call the Old Testament. And, equally important for those who might disregard or disparage this earlier Testament, it was their only Bible.

Wrap-up

Nicole wraps up this lesson on the Old Testament as the foundation of God’s written revelation. When you turn the page from Malachi to Matthew, you won’t want to leave anything behind!

For Bible Journey's complete study of Minor Prophets, Part 3, go to www.biblejourney.com, and subscribe to the Bible Journey YouTube channel of videos of the Holy Lands to help us reach many more individuals with the Gospel!