Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

Goal

To help us all to read the Old Testament in a way that blesses and encourages us.
I want us to have an “Emmaus” experience

Luke 24 (after the resurrection)

13. Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.
15. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them.
16. But they were prevented from recognizing him.
17. Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
18. The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
19. “What things?” he asked them.
    So. they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people,
20. and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.
21. But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened.
22. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb,
23. and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.
24. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
25. He said to them… Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27. Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.
    …
31. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.
32. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” CSB

Feeding from the Bible

1. Devotional Reading – regular times of Bible reading that are not intellectual exercises, but for connecting with God
2. Bible Study – Intentional times of going deeper, either individually or in a group

O.T. Books

• The Law Torah (first 5 books)
• The Prophets Neviʾim
• The Writings Ketuvim
  (Poetic books, and Wisdom)

Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

1. Historical Books
2. Poetic Books and Wisdom
3. Prophetic Books

Num 21: The Bronze Serpent

4. From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.
5. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
6. Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
7. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”
9. So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. ESV

Charles Spurgeon

“Young man, you look very miserable. And you will always be miserable—miserable in life and miserable in death—if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved.”

Then lifting up his hands, he shouted, “Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothing to do but look and live!”

I saw at once the way of salvation. I know not what else he said—I did not take much notice of it—I was so possessed with that one thought… I had been waiting to do fifty things, but when I heard that word, “Look!” what a charming word it seemed to me.

Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away.

Deuteronomy 22

11. You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen mixed together.
12. You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of the garment with which you cover yourself.

Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

1. Historical Books
   • History
   • Law
2. Poetic Books and Wisdom
   • Devotional (Psalms)
   • Wisdom

Psalm 3

A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom.

1. Lord, how my foes increase!
     There are many who attack me.
2. Many say about me,
     “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
    
3. But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
     my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4. I cry aloud to the Lord,
     and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah
5. I lie down and sleep;
     I wake again because the Lord sustains me.
6. I will not be afraid of thousands of people
     who have taken their stand against me on every side.
7. Rise up, Lord!
     Save me, my God!
   You strike all my enemies on the cheek;
     you break the teeth of the wicked.
8. Salvation belongs to the Lord;
     may your blessing be on your people. Selah CSB

Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

1. Historical Books
   • History
   • Law
2. Poetic Books and Wisdom
   • Devotional (Psalms)
   • Wisdom

Wisdom Books

• Job
• Proverbs,
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Songs (Solomon)

Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

1. Historical Books
   • History
   • Law
2. Poetic Books and Wisdom
   • Devotional (Psalms)
   • Wisdom
3. Prophetic Books
   • Positive (suitable for devotional reading)
   • Negative (much harder)
   • Apocalyptic (needs focused study)

Isaiah 42

1. “This is my servant; I strengthen him,
   this is my chosen one; I delight in him.
   I have put my Spirit on him;
   he will bring justice to the nations.
2. He will not cry out or shout
   or make his voice heard in the streets.
3. He will not break a bruised reed,
   and he will not put out a smoldering wick;
   he will faithfully bring justice.
4. He will not grow weak or be discouraged
   until he has established justice on earth.
   The coasts and islands will wait for his instruction. CSB

Daniel 7

2. Daniel said, “In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.
3. Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.
4. “The first was like a lion but had eagle’s wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind. CSB

Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions

1. Historical Books
   • History
   • Law
2. Poetic Books and Wisdom
   • Devotional (Psalms)
   • Wisdom
3. Prophetic Books
   • Positive (suitable for devotional reading)
   • Negative (much harder)
   • Apocalyptic (needs focused study)

Psalm 1

1. Blessed is the one who does not
   walk in the advice of the wicked,
   or stand in the pathway with sinners
   or sit in the company of mockers!
2. but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and on his law he meditates day and night.
3. He is like a tree
   planted by streams of water
   that bears its fruit in its season,
   and its leaf does not wither.
   In all that he does, he prospers.
4. The wicked are not so,
   but are like chaff that the wind drives away.