Wisdom for Life

Some Christians find the Old Testament intimidating and irrelevant today because we are under a new and better covenant. In this book, Michael P. V. Barrett demonstrates how vitally important the Old Testament is. Instead of giving a systematic apology for the Old Testament, Barrett simply serves up fifty-two meditations on various passages, allowing us to taste and see how good the Old Testament is in light of Christ’s coming. You will learn how the Old Testament shows us God’s concern for true and spiritual worship, teaches us lessons in the life of faith, and reveals to us the glory of our Redeemer. A real feast for the soul!

Endorsement

“Michael Barrett has once again provided the church with an outstanding resource to help believers read the Old Testament for what it is—Christian Scripture. In fifty-two brief chapters, he surveys the revelation of the gospel from the first promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3 to the proclamation of Messiah’s glory by the prophets. These pages provide the reader with theology that is both biblical and accessible. Discover in these pages the witness of the Old Testament to Jesus Christ, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Discover here wisdom for life!”
—Rhett P. Dodson, senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, Hudson, Ohio

Contents

1. Out of the Curse Comes Grace (Genesis 3:15)
2. Lessons in Saving Faith from Abraham (Genesis 12–25)
3. Lessons in the Life of Faith from Abraham (Genesis 12–25)
4. Lessons from Passover (Exodus 12)
5. Lessons at the Sea (Exodus 14)
6. God’s Way of Worship (Exodus 25–40)
7. God’s Presence in Worship (Exodus 25–40)
8. God’s Order in Worship (Exodus 25–40)
9. God’s Pictures of Worship (Exodus 25–40)
10. Dressed for Work (Exodus 28)
11. Two Fiery Sermons (Leviticus 9–10)
12. The Heart of True Religion (Deuteronomy 10:12–22)
13. Manasseh, the Real-Life Prodigal (2 Chronicles 33:1–17)
14. A Paradigm for Worship (The Psalms)
15. The Focus of Worship (The Psalms)
16. The Formula for Worship (The Psalms)
17. A Handbook and Hymnbook for Worship (The Psalms)
18. Christ of Saving Faith (Psalm 2)
19. A Psalm for Christmas (Psalm 8)
20. Christ, the Resolute Servant (Psalm 16)
21. The Wonder of God’s Word (Psalm 19:7–14)
22. Christ, the Suffering and Successful Savior (Psalm 22)
23. A Theology of Trouble (Psalm 30)
24. How Faith Looks at Life (Psalm 37)
25. Formula for Security (Psalm 91)
26. Christ, the King and Priest (Psalm 110)
27. The Birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 7)
28. The Kingship of Immanuel (Isaiah 9)
29. The Work of Immanuel (Isaiah 11:1–5)
30. Praise for Christ’s Birth (Isaiah 12)
31. The Identity and Work of the Servant (Isaiah 42:6–8)
32. The Servant as the Ideal Prophet (Isaiah 50:4–11)
33. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13–53:12)
34. Keeping the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13–14)
35. Good News (Isaiah 61:1–3)
36. A Warning from Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 7:1–15)
37. A Warning from Ezekiel (Ezekiel 8)
38. Efficacious Grace (Ezekiel 36:22–32)
39. Dry Bones: From Death to Life (Ezekiel 37:1–10)
40. A Story of Courage (Daniel 3)
41. A Story of Conversion (Daniel 4)
42. A Story of Condemnation (Daniel 5)
43. The Message of Hosea for Today (Hosea 1–14)
44. The Message of Joel for Today ( Joel 1–3)
45. The Requirements of True Religion (Micah 6:8)
46. The Song of Majesty (Nahum 1:2–7)
47. The God of Then Is the God of Now (Zechariah 2:1–5)
48. A Picture Worth a Soul (Zechariah 3)
49. What’s in a Name? (Zechariah 10:4)
50. The Branch (Zechariah 3:8; 6:12)
51. Zechariah’s Revelation of Christ (Zechariah 9:9)
52. The Sacrifice of the Shepherd (Zechariah 13:7)