Things Written Before

The things written before are there for our learning.

Romans 15:4: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Paul understood that there were many things written by the Law and the Prophets, and he referenced several in his letter to the Romans as well as other epistles, giving us insight into these things written before.

Jesus Christ knew what was written before. He quoted Scripture to overcome the temptations of Satan (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He taught His disciples, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18).”

The Law and the Prophets were written before to point the way to Jesus Christ. Many writers in the Old Testament wrote about things concerning the coming of Jesus and His kingdom. When Jesus came and established His church, those sayings were fulfilled!

Having a good understanding of Old Testament things written before is a good foundation to help us understand the New Testament. However, once the law was fulfilled through Christ, we are no longer under the Old Testament. What is the purpose then of the things written before? “But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (Galatians 3:22-25).”