As human beings made in the image of a creative and powerful God, we have the innate desire to push ourselves to the limits in our search for novel and innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of life. From the electric light bulb to the telephone, the automobile, the computer and supersonic jets that soar across the heavens, our inventions continue to change the landscape of our world as we know it.
Wise king Solomon said in Ecles 1:9 that “there is nothing new under the sun…” Yet, since his time our world has seen the greatest changes in modern technology. Most of the scientists and great intellectuals of our time are alive today! In his time, armies were considered strong if they had iron chariots-today we face the ever increasing threat of nuclear disaster!
However, some things have never changed! The age-old problem of sin hasn’t changed, and despite our best efforts we are powerless against this scourge of satan on our own. Our pursuance of novelty hasn’t changed either; in fact it is one of satan’s prime methods of propagating his end-time deceptions. He knows we are attracted to anything new and exciting, and he takes full advantage of this. In our haste to discover novel truths, we forget the importance of learning the lessons that only history can teach us. The Lord has let us choose our destiny. Since the day our first parents made their first bad decision, we have been painfully writing our history in blood, sweat and tears. What a pitiful waste if we cannot use this opportunity to look back and learn from the mistakes of our past!
Just as the importance of the subject of history is undermined at public schools, so we find that Christians are neglecting their study of the Old Testament scriptures in favour of the New Testament, saying that things have changed! Yet, the sin problem still exists. We face the same adversary as our Old Testament counterparts did, and we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8) Satan doesn’t even NEED to change his tactics because we still fall for them today! Generals and great military strategists study the work of their adversaries and the history of their nations’ battles to predict the course of future endeavours, but we as Christians fail miserably in this respect and we’re fighting a war for our very souls!
The New Testament itself says that ALL scripture is for our correction, reproof and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). There was once a time when the only scripture people had at their disposal was the Old Testament; if they had neglected to study it, would we have progressed to the extent we have today? 1 Cor 10:11 and Rom 15:4 explain that the Old Testament writings are for our learning and the same lessons will be our test in the times ahead. Just as an apprentice learns his trade from the master craftsman, let us not seek to reinvent the wheel, but let us read and learn from those who have gone before us! In respect of human affairs, there is nothing new under the sun-we know who wins the battle in the end. Therefore, let us stay true to our God!
"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."-Eccles 12:12-13
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."-1 Cor 10:11
