The Mind of Brian

This Sunday, I preached from the Old Testament, as I did Exodus 15, comparing it to the national anthems of different countries to see what this anthem of Israel would teach us. This was the first time that I did a formal sermon on the OT (I have taught OT many times and also have preached in classes, but never actually with a congregation). This is one area where I have seen the most shift in my perspective.  A few years ago, I was so caught up in finding out and being faithful to the “original intent” of the passage that it likely would not have been a Christian sermon. That is, it might not have mentioned Christ! I am sure I did this in some of my early days teaching youth groups. Now, however, I see the dual authorship of Scripture (man and God) and the redemptive trajectory of Scripture as showing that it is not only legitimate to speak of Christ, but it is necessary to do so to be faithful to the truest intent of Scripture. This is not a supersessionist way of thinking that downgrades the Jewish faith as much as one that looks to see that it hopes have been fulfilled in Christ.

I am still exegeiting and seek to locate the meaning of the text within the text and within its original context. However, I am also moving from that context to our context; it is now not just talking to the nation of Israel but to the people of God who are the heirs to the promises of God and the writings of God. Therefore, I explain the text, explain typology, and explain application of this for us today. That is how I approach the OT now. (In some ways, I might have attempted to do this inherently, but now at least I know why I am doing it and can defend it).

How did this work out? I see Exodus 15 as being for the people of God. I see clear typology in that the exodus is a spiritual picture of the cross and the release from slavery to sin. I see us as having a very similar call to respond to what God has done. And in the cross, we see the true reason for why God is faithful to His people even though they stumble and begin complaining right after He has delievered them. I think this is being faithful to the meaning of the text and thinking through how it is going to apply to our lives today. May prayer is that I have been faithful to His purposes in giving us this text!