THINGS WRITTEN AFORETIME

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

(T)he reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon Me (Psalm 69:9b). In the verse preceding the lesson text, Paul quotes, not word for word, but the meaning found in this Old Testament passage. He uses this passage to teach Roman Christians, and to teach us today, that Jesus Christ came from heaven to dwell on earth, not to accomplish things that He, as a human being may desire, but to do the will of His Father in heaven. The reproach that the Jewish nation had toward God, the shameful disgrace they demonstrated through unbelief of God's will, was born by Jesus. He bore the humiliation, pain, suffering, and death, that resulted from the militant refusal, by the leaders of the nation of Israel, to accept the Old Testament that foretold, through prophesies, that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. It was this example of Jesus' reproachfulness, that all Christians are to emulate, by bearing the cross of Christ, and thus, fulfilling their obligation to carry God's plan of salvation throughout the world. What a great lesson is to be found in this one passage from the Old Testament that was written aforetime, ...for our learning.

Here, Paul makes a specific application, assuring us that the general application of entire Old Testament was written for our learning. Can the Old Testament be reliable; can Christians depend on it as the will of God? The apostle Peter assures us that it is. He wrote, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20-21). The same Holy Spirit that fell on the apostles on the Day of Pentecost, and inspired their message of salvation in Christ Jesus - the same Spirit of God that inspired all writers of the New Testament, is the same Holy Spirit that inspired the writing of the Old Testament. Indeed, the things written aforetime were written for our learning.

Not only does the Old Testament give readers facts about the creation of all things known to mankind, but it is also the historical source of ancestry from Adam and Eve to the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to the advent of the church of Christ, His kingdom on earth. Jesus, Himself described His mission on earth when he told His disciples, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matt. 5:17). The Old Testament was necessary in order that all mankind could know God was sending His Son to earth to establish His kingdom. It also allowed the world to recognize Jesus Christ as His Son, and, that through His body, the church of Christ, He offers eternal salvation to all people of the world. Jesus came to earth, willingly accomplished His mission, and, thus, fulfilled all things that written aforetime ...for our learning.

These Old Testament things, which werewritten aforetime,serve as an inspired historical record documenting God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It also serves as lessons that illustrate, support, and reinforce the New Covenant doctrine. The example given above, referring to the first three verses of this chapter of the Roman letter, is a good example of the Old Testament adding credibility to New Testament teachings. A mighty lesson to illustrate this is found in 1 Cor. 10:1-11. A recap of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, after leaving Egypt, serves as an example to Christians that we should not lust after evil things, as they (Israel) also lusted (Vs.6). The same text also tells Christians, using Old Testament examples, that they are not to be idolaters (Vs. 7),not tocommit fornication (Vs. 8), not to give in to temptation (Vs. 9), and neither murmur about life's difficulties (Vs. 10).

Closing this teaching Paul wrote, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (Vs. 11). It was these Holy Scriptures that made Timothy wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Why was this true? Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:15b-17). Knowing the things written aforetime, accepting and believing them, as the inspired word of God, and using them to confirm New Testament doctrine, we are assured that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord).