Were the Old Testament books written to the Jew under the Law still meant for Christians to learn from?
Yes. Scripture states that things written aforetime in the Old Testament were written for our learning. Though given to the Jew under the Law, they serve as a bedrock for the New Testament, providing patience, comfort, and hope. They are for learning, not for doctrine, since the Gospel and plan of salvation are not found there.
Les explains that Paul, writing to the Christians at Rome in Romans 15:4, says whatsoever things were written aforetime—the Old Testament—were written for our learning. Even Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, though written to the Jew under the Law, were still for our learning. Les warns against shutting our eyes to the Old Testament, because it is the bedrock for the New, and you cannot understand the New unless you understand the Old. Paul says these things were written for our learning, not our doctrine; you will not find the plan of salvation in Exodus, only a picture of it, and the Gospel is not found in the Old Testament. They are there so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.
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 is the Old Testament still relevant for learning today?
The Old Testament is still relevant for our learning because it provides the background of how God's plan of salvation unfolded and how God can offer salvation to the whole human race.