The Old Testament and its Levels

It is helpful to realize that the Scriptures, especially in the Old Testament, have at least four levels of understanding. For example, a young person in school might be introduced to math–simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Later, he discovers another level to numbers called fractions. Then later, another level with square roots and indices, etc., called algebra. And then perhaps another level is ventured into: the realm of calculus. The serious student of the Word of God will also discover different levels. To ignore any one of these levels is not to have a mature understanding of God and His will.

The Historical Level: Scripture took place in space and time. Thus, to be acquainted with the names of places, persons, dates, terminology, and stories is very helpful, especially as we wish to understanding the OT background to the NT, which frequently refers to such. To be unacquainted with the term used or the narrative is to miss the point the NT writer might be making. For example, to say a political candidate for office is a modern day “Hitler” means nothing to a person who doesn’t know the history of Hitler. To understand what Hebrews 13:13 means by going “without the camp” one must know what the “camp” is in OT history.

The Personal Devotional Level: Observing the experiences of others in their adventures with the Lord can teach us about God by example (Rom. 15:4). Observing others in order to learn by their example is a common way of learning. To personally learn of the Lord and what pleases or displeases Him is one of the reasons God had the stories of the OT recorded.  Referring to Israel, 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells the church, “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.”

The Messianic Level: After our Lord rose from the dead, He revealed to the disciples that the Old Testament Scriptures concerned Him, not only the Prophets, but also the Law and Psalms (Lk. 24:27, 44). Thus, it is legitimate to look in Scripture for prophecies and pictures in typology that will illustrate the Lord Jesus and His gospel. We teach not only by words but also by visuals. So does God. Who can’t get a visual picture of the gospel by looking at the tabernacle? One sees that the approach to God begins with one door. One must come first to the altar where there must be a blood sacrifice for sins.

Secondly, one comes to the laver where there is a daily cleansing from defilement by the water.

The Christian Level: Peter claims the OT writers, filled with the Spirit, wrote concerning the grace that would come to the Christian and were ministering to us (1 Pet. 1:10-12). Many truths take their full doctrinal meaning when completed in the Person and work of Christ. That all the nations of the earth would be blessed in Abraham (Gen. 12:3) takes on its complete meaning in his seed, Christ (Gal. 3:16, 29), and those who would be united to Him by faith. Thus a doctrine for the Christian church is revealed.