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Old Testament Background Stories - James 5
Old Testament Background Stories - James 5
This is an interesting problem for modern bible readers, what are we to make of the Old Testament stories? Like the converted gentiles of the first century, many of us became disciples of Jesus with little or no knowledge of the Old Testament. Yet, reading through the letters of the NT we come face to face with these stories with no explanation of their historical setting or background.
Jesus was a Jew and knew intimately these stories. The apostles were all Jews and likewise knew these stories. Even writing unto the converted Gentiles, the writers of the NT quote and apply these OT stories. James has mentioned Abraham (2:21-23); Job (5:11); Elijah (5:17-18); and the prophets (5:10). What James says about them is that they trusted God, they suffered and yet were faithful to God, they prayed and were answered, and they wrote by inspiration.
It would do every disciple well to know these stories in their original setting. Why did Elijah pray such a prayer? Why did Job suffer? What was it that Abraham did? Such knowledge will not only make the reading of the NT books come alive, they are needed to understand the NT. A simple (?) illustration is the story of Abraham. He was a believer in God when we are first introduced unto him: God talked with him and he obeys in faith (Gen. 12:1-4; Heb. 11:8). He worshiped God, building altars everywhere he goes (Gen. 12:7, 8; 13:18). He called upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 12:8; 13:4; 21:33) and he prayed unto the LORD (Gen. 15:2-3; 20:17). Melchizedek called him “Abram of God Most High” (Gen. 14:19).
Thus, when you read Gen. 15:4 that he believed God, such was not about his conversion experience! In fact, such was not even the end of the story! When he obediently attempts to offer up Isaac, it states that THEN the ‘the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:21-23).
Let us suffer faithfully like Job, let us pray like Elijah, and let us trust God even as Abraham did. Are you walking in the steps of Abraham (Rom. 4:23)?
Hugh DeLong
