Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh…
– Romans 1:1-3
We often fall into the trap of thinking the Old Testament is all about law, judgment, and harsh requirements, while the New Testament is where grace finally shows up. But Paul does not make the same assumption. The gospel of Jesus, he says, was promised beforehand in the Scriptures, through the prophets. The good news of salvation in Christ didn’t come out of nowhere; it was the consistent message of God’s Word from the beginning.
When we read the Old Testament carefully, we find grace everywhere. God clothes Adam and Eve after their fall. He forgives Israel time and again in the wilderness. He speaks tenderly through prophets like Hosea, who portray God as a faithful husband pursuing an unfaithful bride. All these stories are gospel-shaped whispers, pointing forward to the day when God’s Son would come—not just to declare grace, but to embody it fully. The Old Testament proclaims the same gospel we now receive.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank You that Your plan of salvation is rooted in the promises You made long ago. Help me to read the Old Testament with joy, knowing that Your grace runs through every page. Teach me to see Christ in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Amen.