There are some people who only like to read the New Testament in the Bible. After all, that’s where Jesus shows up and it’s really all about him anyhow. They aren’t interested in the “Old Covenant” stuff — they secretly find it archaic, old fashioned and filled with too many thundering judgments.

Others find their greatest fascination in the wonderful epic stories, poetry and wisdom of the Old Testament. Of course even the hard line New Testament adherents love the OT Psalms. Who could resist those lovely gems?

Did you know that most things found in the Old Testament also make their way into the New Testament? Yep. Even most of the miracles of Jesus are foreshadowed in those Old Testament days.

For instance there was a great prophet in the OT named Elisha and a man brought him an offering of 20 barley loaves and some fresh ears of corn. Elisha wanted the blessing passed on to the company of prophets he was with but his servant could see that it wouldn’t be enough. He said reprovingly to Elisha; “What, shall I set this before a hundred men?” (See 2 Kings 5 for the full story)

Elisha knew, however, that God wanted to multiply the food and after all had eaten there were leftovers. This was a foreshadowing of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes that Jesus did in Matthew 14 and John 6. Though Elisha had a great anointing in his ministry, the anointing of Jesus was far greater. Jesus fed far more — five thousand people, with only five loaves and two fish.

The Old Testament promises; the New Testament fulfills. The Old Testament hints; the New Testament fully displays. But the nature and character of God remains the same in both testaments. If you find yourself mostly in one side of your Bible or the other try a flip flop and you will be in for a treat. You will find out that it’s ALL good!