Preface to Volume 2

Many Christians shy away from the Old Testament for several reasons:

a.   Misconception that it is no longer relevant because it has been replaced by the New Testament,

b.  Apart from some interesting stories, the rest are either dry or boring to read, and

c.  It's all about Israel and the Jews living under the Mosaic law and not applicable to Christians living under grace.

Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, much of the New Testament writings either quote from or make reference to the Old Testament, and many of its doctrines and teachings are similar or extensions of the former.

Reading the Old Testament need not be an exercise in futility; on the contrary, it can be a delightful, exhilarating experience. If you have completed the New Testament reading, the fresh insights gained will lend new light and meaning when you read the stories and narratives of the Old Testament. As the two are gradually woven together, you will discover two spiritual axioms: 'The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed'; and, 'The New is in the Old contained, the Old is in the New explained'. Both testaments therefore attest to One authorship and each is incomplete without the other.

Most English Bibles have the Old Testament organized into a collection of 39 books comprising the Law, historical records, wisdom books, and the prophetical writings. To consolidate all of these into one volume would make it almost two-and-a-half times the size of the New Testament volume and would take over three times as long to complete. This could invariably add to the burden of writing as well as reading.

After careful consideration, the structure and divisions of the Hebrew Old Testament are adopted. This text is familiar to the Jews, including Jesus and the early disciples. It offers a fresh way of looking at the Old Testament and allows for a two-volume treatment that is manageable in terms of size and reading schedule.

It is my prayer and hope that as you embark on this enriching journey of 157 days through the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, you will not only rediscover the pleasure of reading God's Word but also find gems of truth that will have you coming back for more.

May your love for God's Word leads you to drink deeply into the wellspring of the Rock which is Christ, typified in the characters, events and divine institutions of God's progressive revelation through His dealings with His covenant people of the Old Testament.