With regard to studying the Jewish culture in the Old Testament what are the advantages and dangers? 532-1 - 7 -4

The Old Testament serves as an example of how to live our lives. There are so many good lessons throughout the Old Testament that much is lost to those who cling only to the New Testament. CM often uses the expression “The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed and the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed.” The Book of Ruth is very short but what an awesome book it is. We learn what a kinsman Redeemer is and its application to our salvation through the gift of Jesus and his shed blood on the cross.

The brazen serpent seems like a strange method of healing people of snakebites, however, this is explained in the New Testament. John 3:14, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:”

Jesus was the burning brush, the pillar of a cloud and pillar of fire that guided the Israelites during their years of wandering, Exodus 13:21, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:” Jesus provided the military might that brought down the walls of Jericho and so much more.

The feasts of Israel provide insight into the Jewish customs and how they relate to what was and what is to be. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was the fulfillment of the sacrificial lamb of the Passover in Exodus.

That said, some people get so involved in the Old Testament that they are like the Galatians who through the influence of the Judaizers started to revert to the Law. Galatians 3:1-2, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

I belong to a winter Bible study held here in the desert and we get some very interesting attendees. Last year I met a Gentile couple who were skinny as a rail because they said they didn't have enough to eat on a regular basis. I understood that this was due to lack of employment which in turn was due to the fact that they refuse to work on the Jewish Sabbath. I saw them again a few days ago and the husband is now working at a local store. I don’t know if the husband is now willing to work on the Jewish Sabbath or if he is given the day off.