Though we might not always see
and understand all of the individual lessons which are given to the
sons of God in the pages of the Old Testament, we are certain
that all of these scriptures from Genesis to Malachi were
given for the profit of the Lord's people. For whatsoever things
were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through
patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. There is one
cohesive message which is woven throughout the fabric of this
fine tapestry. The threads thereof are scarlet
and gold, signifying the blood of the everlasting covenant and
the royalty of him who came to shed that blood to redeem his
people. No one would deny that the Lord
demonstrates a particular love and affection for a particular
and peculiar people in the Old Testament scriptures. It is very
clear that Israel, as the descendants of Abraham and Jacob, do occupy
the singular position as a people blessed in the earth in that
period of time. Paul declared that this was true.
What advantage then hath the Jew? much every way, chiefly
because that under them were committed the oracles of God. Those who would reject the doctrine
of unconditional election must of necessity reject the whole
narrative of the Old Testament and the example given in his
choosing of Israel. Those who would opine that the
Lord loves all men alike must turn a blind eye to his declaration,
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, wherein hast thou
loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother,
saith the Lord? Yet I loved Jacob, and I hated
Esau. Paul uses this very scripture
to prove the Lord's sovereign prerogative, to create some vessels
unto honor and some to dishonor, as it hath pleased him. Who among
us could question that right? Those who would purport that
the redemptive work of Christ is a general atonement for all
of mankind must deny that Aaron was a priest only over the house
of Israel, and that for them alone of all peoples in the earth
did he make atonement according to the law given to Israel. And
Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the
breastplate of judgment upon his heart, and Aaron shall bear
the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before
the Lord continually. The truth of the Old Testament
is the same as that of the New, for the subject of the scriptures
does not change from age to age. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday
and today and forever. Neither has His redemptive purpose
or the objects of that redemption ever been altered. These things
are given for our learning, and the Old Testament was given in
order that the New might be ushered in as the revelation of a better
covenant. All that is done in the Old Testament
is but types and shadows of that mystery which was hid from the
beginning. Though it appeared to the natural
eye that the descendants of Abraham after the flesh were the chosen
people of God, we can now see who His elect people actually
are. By the gift of faith and the unfolding of the mystery,
we now see that there is one people and one Redeemer, one
purpose for that redemptive work, and one kingdom which He has
come into the world to establish. For he is not a Jew which is
one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward
in the flesh. But he is a Jew which is one
inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,
and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of
God. The children of the promise are
counted for the seed. He has not changed who the objects
of his love are, but has more clearly revealed that they are
from every kindred, tribe, and tongue upon the earth, and that
he used Israel and his dealings with her in times past in order
to demonstrate to his people his everlasting love and perfect
redemption for those whom he chose in Christ from before the
foundation of the world. In all ages the Lord has led
his people as a flock. We can now see this flock more
clearly, and who their shepherd is. He said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his
life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know
my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal
life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them
out of my hand. He is the door of the sheep,
and He does lead His flock, calling them by name and providing everything
that they need, both in this life and that one which is yet
to come.