Aish Tamid

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

One aspect of commercialized Christianity (due to Marcion influence) that I have come to realize is that there is a lot of ignorance in reference to what God has to say--namely in relation to most of the Old Testament. Also, whenever beliefs about the New Testament are challenged, we tend to question not only other beliefs attached to the belief in question (that is--if you're "thinking Greek"--see Marv Wilson's notes on this), but we tend to doubt the very existence of our Creator and Redeemer.
But what do we have to worry about?
May we embark on a journey together through the Old Testament?!

Has not Abraham been the best example of a man chosen, not because of who he is, but because of whom God desires for him to become? Was it not for Abraham's faith that we exist today?

Did Joseph (of Jacob) not fully teach the lesson on what it means to count it all joy?

Did Jacob not show us how to love our spouses to the fullest potential, working 14 years for his wife Rachel, saying that it felt as if it were merely days, rather than years, for that was how in love he was with her.

--Theses are just three examples from ONE of the THIRTY NINE books in the original canon!

The Bible will stand its own--We don't have to worry about "making it real" or "proving it's true."

God proves His existence daily, even without our help.

How Great is Your Love

Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."

Matthew 22:29

At times, our study of the Scriptures can be powerful and uplifting.

But, how many of us turn towards the New Testament (and only the New Testament) for understanding and encouragement?

Do we forget that the Old Testament is where God first revealed the gospel (good news), and the OT is the Bible that Christ studied and used to evangelize with?

The Bible isn't two books--one that's easy to read and applicable to my life, and one that's so foreign and ancient. The Bible is one book with many promises.

If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's seed (Gal 3:29). How has Israel impacted you since he/they are your roots? How has the Hebraic language changed your view on the Scriptures, since their style of poetry has created the greatest Love Story that will ever be written? How has the Bible that Christ studied laid down the foundation for love, and the understanding of love in your life?

Christ studied, believed, and acted according to the Old Testament. Why do we not do the same? How will we ever know how great His love is, if we don't even know the God who created us, as well as the people and struggles that we have come from?