The Bible shows in many ways the truth affirmed by Paul when he said, “For whatever things were written before were written for out learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). He uses the word “before” to call our attention to the Old Testament scriptures, for it was almost three decades before there were New Testament scriptures.
Look carefully at this verse and focus on each word. The word “whatever” emphasizes that no part of that old law should be overlooked. The word “learning” affirms that we can understand it and heaven’s expectation if for us to know it. You would be wise to meditate on how those scriptures are related to patience, comfort and hope.
The Jews of Jesus’ day failed to see one vital truth, and this resulted in the religion of the Pharisees. That truth was simply stated by Habakkuk. “The just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). If you want overwhelming proof of this read Hebrews chapter 11—it is a summation of the place of faith in the lives of the Old Testament saints.
The Pharisees developed a religion that did not involve faith it the heart. Instead, they focused on another verse and ignored their need for the blood of Jesus. Paul said, “The law is not of faith, but the man who does them shall live by them” (Gal. 3:12). They turned their attention away from faith and turned to the external laws of the Old Testament. They counted them and decided there were 613 commandments, and their religion centered around these commandments. They ever added their own interpretation and added more external laws like the sabbath day journey, washing hands before eating and so many “truths” created in their hearts.
God never intended for the Old Testament to be a system of the knowledge of external rules and perfectly keeping them. When Moses gave the law to the Jews, He plainly said, “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart” (Deut. 6:6). It was not His plan for them to remain on the tablets of stone, or even to just memorize or number them and make a list to be used to see if one is righteous. The commands were to become part of the soul of His people who first engraved them in their hearts.
Remove faith from the commandments and you develop a religion like the Jews. You find no joy in Christianity because you will never be good enough to enter heaven. When you make Christianity only external you live in guilt because you are not keeping every commandment you have numbered to be in your life. When you love Him, you will obey Him and you will find the joy of living faith!