THE OLD TESTAMENT by A. Rochat

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1880

THE OLD TESTAMENT.

By A. Rochat

IN general, the study of the Old Testament is too much neglected by a certain number of Christians. They complain of finding but little instruction there, especially in the historic part. I understand, very well, that if we see nothing there but histories of kings who rose and fell, of wars, and of battles and other political events narrated without any of that literary embellishment which accompany them in human histories, there is but little to attract attention. But, when we understand that that history is the history of the heart of man laid bare by Him who knows it and who presents it in every aspect, to show us its wretchedness, and teach us to distrust ourselves; when we understand that that history is, at the same time, the history of the design of God and his conduct towards his own, that it is the manifestation of his unalterable love towards people always unbelieving and yet always loved. (Jer. 3:1; Hosea 3:1.) In a word, when we look upon this history, so simple and devoid of attraction to the world, as the history of the heart of man and the heart of God; then it assumes the most lively interest in the eyes of him who has learned that, to know himself and to know his God, is the one thing needful. Then, the people of Israel—that is my very self; the God of the people Israel, is my God, if, by faith I have become a child of Abraham. (Gal. 3:7.) Then I see myself in the history of the ancient people and everywhere I find my God, sustaining me, chastising me, forgiving me and saying to me, (Jer. 23:3) “I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore have I extended my loving kindness unto thee.”—A. Rochat.