Why was the Old Testament written?
Paul states the Old Testament was written for our learning, not necessarily for our doctrine. It provides pictures, types, and events that enhance understanding of the New Testament. It is not primarily a source of doctrine but a learning tool.
Les explains that Paul, in Romans 15, says all these things written before time—the Old Testament—are written for our learning, not for our doctrine necessarily. He emphasizes there is a big difference. As we learn all the pictures of the types and everything that took place back in the Old Testament, it enhances what we have to understand in the New. For example, he turns to Exodus 12, where Israel was in bondage under the Egyptians, to illustrate the Passover Lamb, which Paul identifies as Christ our Passover.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
More Questions
Why were Old Testament events written for us?
Old Testament events like the separation of Israel from Egypt were written for our learning, so we are to learn from them.
Who is the Old Testament written for?
Everything written before Paul wrote, that is the Old Testament, is written for the believer's learning, and the same is true of the Gospels.