Most Christians these days spend a great deal more time watching television than they do reading the Word of God. Many do not read their Bibles except at church and fewer still ever read the Old Testament. This is a sad state of spiritual affairs for the modern church. Studying the Old Testament can significantly strengthen a Christian’s New Testament faith. It is filled with foreshadowed references to Jesus Christ. It is a treasure trove of mysteries of wisdom just waiting for revelation. Every Old Testament prophet points ahead to the cross at Calvary and every Apostle of the New points back towards the cross. It truly is all about Jesus Christ. Here is a condensed example from a sermon I preached to illustrate one solid example.

  Each name in this lesson has a meaning that is significant to the overall message and I will include the meaning in parentheses beside each name. At the end it preaches a message of salvation through Christ that is hidden in the story. A story within a story, if you will. Again, this is very condensed.

   Moses(one who draws out) battled with Pharaoh(one who spoils) to lead Israel(one who prevails with God) out of Egypt(oppression). Moses led them through the Wilderness of Sin. While they wandered in the Wilderness of Sin they ate the Manna(allotment) that came down from heaven each day. It sustained them all through the Wilderness of Sin. Eventually they arrived at the Jordan(judgement) river that was swollen at floodstage. The Ark of the Covenant went before them. Moses stayed behind and Joshua(savior) led them across the dry riverbed after God piled up the waters. They then crossed over into the promised land.

   So here is the message: When God the Father draws you out of oppression from the one who spoils(devil), sustain yourself in this wilderness of sin with a daily allotment of the bread of life(Jesus) and when you arrive at the flood of judgment, God’s covenant through Christ will go before you and your Savior will lead you safely across as judgment will not touch you. You will then enter the promised land and become one who prevails with God.

   There is so much more than this brief explanation but if I divulged it all then you might not go to the scriptures and discover the rest for yourself. And that would ruin the thrill of personal revelation. Read Exodus(departure) for the rest of the story.