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A Christian's Pocket Guide
A Christian's Pocket Guide to Loving the Old Testament
Many of us know and love the stories and characters of the Old Testament such as Joseph, Moses and Jonah. But how do we view its importance in relation to New Testament teaching and our 21st century experiences? This accessible yet powerful addition to the Pocket Guide series draw together the threads of Scripture to help us understand the power of God's word when viewed in its completeness.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2015
73 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
J. Alec Motyer
36 books44 followersJ. Alec Motyer (M.A., B.D., D.D.) was formerly principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England. He has extensive experience in parish ministry and is well known as a Bible expositor. He is author of The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he is Old Testament editor of IVP's commentary series, The Bible Speaks Today. He has written several volumes in that series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 19, 2019
This book was a lot more practical than I thought it would be, even including bullet point breakdowns on a few key OT books. More than anything its a primer, a book that will make you hungry to read more of the Old Testamant and see even more of those details that point to Jesus. So with that in mind: a book that helps me understand God's word and want to read it more? 5 stars.
May 8, 2015
Sometimes it is not the sheer volume of a book that demonstrates its usefulness or the impact of the information contained within its pages. There are times when a short book is replete with astute insight, sharing information that is often overlooked or overdone in longer tomes. Alec Motyer, in his excellent book A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Loving the Old Testament, provides the reader with that small yet power packed offering that illuminates and explains many important issues regarding the Old Testament and why an understanding of the front of the Book is a must before even beginning to explore the back of the Book.
I truly appreciated Motyer’s statement regarding the description of the Old Testament as “old”. If we asked Jesus or the disciples about their thoughts on the Old Testament, one can imagine the strange look on their faces. Old? What do you mean old? As noted by Motyer, that page which separates the front half of Scripture from the back half likely should be torn out of our Bibles as it far too often presents a combative situation in our minds as to the message and purpose of each half.
Motyer addresses that incorrect approach to our typical understanding of the Old Testament in a way that will truly bring to the reader a fresh passion for God’s Word as a whole and the Old Testament in particular. He outlines with great perspicuity the patterns and principles found in the Old Testament such as the fundamental issues of covenant, how the Old Testament sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah, and perhaps most importantly the consistent message the Old Testament presents that finds itself in the New Testament. In opposition to the two book approach many often take regarding their approach to and understanding of Scripture, Motyer notes the consistent and purposeful message that weaves its way throughout the Bible, one that points the reader to the scarlet thread of redemption through the Messiah Jesus.
Of further note is Motyer’s explanation of how to engage the prophetic books. Outside of most of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, the books of the prophets are some of the most neglected in all of Scripture. Motyer rightly notes the reason for that neglect is most have simply not taken the time to read, re-read, and properly analyze what these books are about, their audience, and their connection to the message of salvation. He provides some excellent tools to the reader in regards to breaking down the overall message of the prophetic books and then breaking down those major sections into smaller parts in an effort to grasp how they relate to the overall message of the book and in turn, how that overall message relates to Scripture at large.
If I was to recommend an introduction to understanding the Old Testament to both the seasoned theologian and the brand new believer alike, this book would be at or near the top of my book recommendation list. I found Motyer’s insights to be lucid and his effort to help the reader understand the importance of the Old Testament and its message to be one that all believers need to grasp and apply in their study of Scripture. Pick up a copy of this book and have it handy as you read and study the Old Testament.
I received this book for free from Christian Focus Publications for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 12, 2020
Very good. But more of a study aid/guide than a book to read straight through.
April 25, 2021
A reread for me and just as good the second time as the first! Would really recommend this one for both experienced Bible studiers and newbies. It’s explains lots of deep concepts and connections in a non-academic/intellectual way so it is very readable and insightful.
March 17, 2018
I have come to the conclusion that reading Motyer is best reserved for his commentaries. There, he shines; if he has authored a commentary on a book I am preaching through, I obtain a copy. This work fell far short in fulfilling its title for me. While it certainly will give a new or growing Christian a solid grasp of the most important themes and storylines of the Old Testament, I am not convinced that it will generate any great love for the first 39 books of the Bible.
At times, the material presented seemed disjointed and confusing. There are plenty of nuggets to be gleaned from its pages, but it was a chore to push through to the end. It is good enough to have a place for the present as an Old Testament reference work, but not compelling enough to be highly recommended. If I had it to do over again, I would invest the money I spent and the time given to reading it in some other work.
At times, the material presented seemed disjointed and confusing. There are plenty of nuggets to be gleaned from its pages, but it was a chore to push through to the end. It is good enough to have a place for the present as an Old Testament reference work, but not compelling enough to be highly recommended. If I had it to do over again, I would invest the money I spent and the time given to reading it in some other work.
October 12, 2017
This is a brief but excellent introduction to the OT. I wish every Christian would read it! He comes from a strongly Covenantal perspective but that shouldn’t ward off readers who have some differences in biblical theology. This book is strongly Christ centered and has the potential to help all readers love and grasp the Old Testament that much better.
October 2, 2020
Masterful. So simple, and yet, even after going to seminary and taking many courses and reading many books on the Old Testament, this stands out as one of the best I’ve ever read. It makes me really want to read more by Motyer.
Particularly the first 70 pages or so we simply incredible. Short chapter after short chapter giving helpful explanation and compelling insights to the Old Testament. It stirs your interest, wonder, and even love for the God of the Bible. Unfortunately, about 20-30 pages towards the end seemed quite jumbled—they almost didn’t seem to fit. But towards the end he once again regains the mastery.
Overall, truly an incredible read, surprisingly so, for I definitely didn’t expect this short book to be this good. If you’re interested int he Old Testament, or really just the Bible at all, I highly recommend this book!
Particularly the first 70 pages or so we simply incredible. Short chapter after short chapter giving helpful explanation and compelling insights to the Old Testament. It stirs your interest, wonder, and even love for the God of the Bible. Unfortunately, about 20-30 pages towards the end seemed quite jumbled—they almost didn’t seem to fit. But towards the end he once again regains the mastery.
Overall, truly an incredible read, surprisingly so, for I definitely didn’t expect this short book to be this good. If you’re interested int he Old Testament, or really just the Bible at all, I highly recommend this book!
May 17, 2022
I think the strong point of this book is not a study of the text of the Old Testament but an encouragement to read it and re-read it, to study it and memorize key verses, in order to understand the New Testament with more depth and insight. Seeing prophecy fulfilled builds faith that God has a plan and His plan will be completely fulfilled, much already fulfilled.
Motyer says in the Preface: “Long ago we used to sing, in what I fear may be a by-gone hymn: ‘Teach me to love your sacred Word, and view my Savior there.’ It applies . . . to the Old Testament as to the New; it is my prayer for myself day by day; it is my prayer for you…”
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
Motyer says in the Preface: “Long ago we used to sing, in what I fear may be a by-gone hymn: ‘Teach me to love your sacred Word, and view my Savior there.’ It applies . . . to the Old Testament as to the New; it is my prayer for myself day by day; it is my prayer for you…”
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17
September 17, 2025
This short book was truly a joy to read. Alec Motyer was a brother in the Lord who truly embodied Psalm 119 as a whole, but also in particular “oh Lord, how I love your law!”
If you’re looking for a short book that’s readable, engaging, and insightful on the themes and story of the Old Testament, this is it.
If you’re someone that loves God’s word but struggles to love the Old Testament as much as you love the New but want to grow in that love, then look no further.
If you’re looking for a short book that’s readable, engaging, and insightful on the themes and story of the Old Testament, this is it.
If you’re someone that loves God’s word but struggles to love the Old Testament as much as you love the New but want to grow in that love, then look no further.
March 12, 2025
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve picked up from Motyer, and this is no exception. He is a great writer, speaker, and thinker; and you always come away learning great insights from the text, and a deeper love for God’s Word.
This would be particularly helpful for those who have never been taught the point of the Old Testament—or who have been taught an incorrect version of it.
This would be particularly helpful for those who have never been taught the point of the Old Testament—or who have been taught an incorrect version of it.
May 6, 2021
Absolutely incredible introduction to the Old Testament. Alec Motyer has such a brilliant style of breaking down complex themes and presenting them in digestible ways. I wish I had of read this books years ago when I first started studying the Scriptures. Highly recommended.
March 22, 2022
Great little book. Highly recommend this short read. Motyer has an interesting writing style, yet his way with words and creative insights make the reader interested in what he will reveal next. This is a great little volume for those who struggle with the old testement. The OT is not Jewish…it is Christian, and it belongs in the canon of scripture that is profitable for us (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
June 14, 2022
A good little book on the beauty and importance of the Old Testament. The Hebrew Bible was Jesus’ Bible, which He called inspired by the Spirit, unbreakable, and pointing ultimately to Him. Any Christian who wishes to be faithful to their Lord must think and act the same.
December 10, 2022
This book accomplishes its title- it helps one love the Old Testsment! Motyer in his pastoral, humorous, applicable tone shows that the OT is not be feared but enjoyed.
This is a short, truly a pocket guide. Short chapters. This is a good book to read, re-look at, and give away copies.
Especially how he shows how ideas like the covenants, land, sacrifices find their fulfillment in the NT.
This is a short, truly a pocket guide. Short chapters. This is a good book to read, re-look at, and give away copies.
Especially how he shows how ideas like the covenants, land, sacrifices find their fulfillment in the NT.
May 12, 2018
Brief intro. to the Old Testament
April 12, 2020
This is a book I would quickly give to anyone who undervalues the Old Testament. There is so much more that could have been mentioned, but alas, this is a pocket guide.
January 14, 2025
Absolutely loved this short piece. Moteyr has a way of making the scriptures come alive (or rather, of simply showing that they are indeed already living and active!)
September 17, 2025
Must read for all Christians.
January 30, 2024
Short, direct, applicable
July 21, 2021
Excellent! Feel like you should love the Old Testament but you don’t? Read this and you will. It does what it says on the tin, and leaves you nourished and empowered to continue on. Highly recommend; it’s too short of a book to not warrant reading.
February 28, 2018
A very helpful introduction to the Old Testament with a clear objective of instilling awe and love for it. Not trying to be comprehensive or systematic, Motyer succeeds at effusing delight that is contagious!
February 17, 2018
Short, accessible, insightful
I haven't read anything else by Alex Motyer, but this short guide was really useful and would recommend as a good starting place to encourage a greater love for the Old Testament.
I haven't read anything else by Alex Motyer, but this short guide was really useful and would recommend as a good starting place to encourage a greater love for the Old Testament.
December 2, 2016
Excellent little book on the value of the Old Testament (although Motyer convincingly argues for "one" Testament). Get this book and read it. It will be worth the extremely short commitment of time compared to other lengthier books.
March 16, 2017
An excellent distillation of Motyer’s decades of work as an Old Testament scholar. Biblically solid and yet very approachable for laypeople. Motyer clearly illustrates the connection between the Old and New Testaments as both being the voice of but one testament. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2015
A lot in a little book.
June 22, 2021
There are books that one should read only once and books that should be read over and over again. This book is the latter.
A phrase from the afterword accurately describes this book. It is “‘whole bible’ biblical theology.”
If a Christian masters this 130 page book, he will have a functional knowledge of the stories that inform and shape the New Testament and his knowledge of Jesus the Messiah.
Alec Moyter has a way of drawing out what is already there in the text.
Simple memorization of the scriptures in this book would make many a lay Christian very seemingly advanced! I am recommending this book for every single Christian and especially the new ones.
Let it be your gateway to his other works.
A personal testimony. When I was a younger—let’s say 10 years before the publication of this review—I read the Bible much more poorly. And this book exposes just how much I wasn’t reading it right (at times).
A case example was my misreading of Jeremiah 10:2-5. Here is the context in full:
“Thus says the Lord:
(A)“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are [a]futile;
For (B)one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They (C)fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And (D)they cannot speak;
They must be (E)carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For (F)they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”
Back in the day, under the influence of a “Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry”—a channel I was simply subscribed to on Youtube and nothing more—I believed that this was a proof-text for Christmas being a pagan holiday. For the record, I stopped believing Christmas was a pagan holiday for a while now.
But I didn’t shake my misreading completely until reading this book.
As Moyter explains about Isaiah 41:1-7, a passage similar to the above, the emphasis is on gods that are “only wise after the event; man-made expedients, as dead as the materials from which they have been created’, things so inert (v.7b) that they will topple over unless well secured with pegs!” (P. 105).
The simple point is that these passages are making fun of the practice of people having to “prop up” their “gods.”
I happened to be reading through the Book of Jeremiah via audio book and when I heard the above passage it was amazing how I read it for what it was—and not for what someone else imposed on it. My previous interpretation dissolved in the light of the Biblical story.
A phrase from the afterword accurately describes this book. It is “‘whole bible’ biblical theology.”
If a Christian masters this 130 page book, he will have a functional knowledge of the stories that inform and shape the New Testament and his knowledge of Jesus the Messiah.
Alec Moyter has a way of drawing out what is already there in the text.
Simple memorization of the scriptures in this book would make many a lay Christian very seemingly advanced! I am recommending this book for every single Christian and especially the new ones.
Let it be your gateway to his other works.
A personal testimony. When I was a younger—let’s say 10 years before the publication of this review—I read the Bible much more poorly. And this book exposes just how much I wasn’t reading it right (at times).
A case example was my misreading of Jeremiah 10:2-5. Here is the context in full:
“Thus says the Lord:
(A)“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are [a]futile;
For (B)one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They (C)fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And (D)they cannot speak;
They must be (E)carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For (F)they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”
Back in the day, under the influence of a “Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry”—a channel I was simply subscribed to on Youtube and nothing more—I believed that this was a proof-text for Christmas being a pagan holiday. For the record, I stopped believing Christmas was a pagan holiday for a while now.
But I didn’t shake my misreading completely until reading this book.
As Moyter explains about Isaiah 41:1-7, a passage similar to the above, the emphasis is on gods that are “only wise after the event; man-made expedients, as dead as the materials from which they have been created’, things so inert (v.7b) that they will topple over unless well secured with pegs!” (P. 105).
The simple point is that these passages are making fun of the practice of people having to “prop up” their “gods.”
I happened to be reading through the Book of Jeremiah via audio book and when I heard the above passage it was amazing how I read it for what it was—and not for what someone else imposed on it. My previous interpretation dissolved in the light of the Biblical story.
September 25, 2025
It’s been a while… My season has been very busy. So this is my first interview in a while.
This book is great. Truly, 144 pages of unwasted words.This was a seminary read for my old testament class.
I specifically appreciate the simplicity that Alex Motyer users in defining terms and engaging with dense concepts in the scriptures.
The summary that he offers for how the Old Testament relates to the new is contextually faithful to the meaning and placement of various Old Testament books within their historical time. While also being methodical in explaining how the narratives, prophets, and poetry all point to Christ.
Practically speaking, I think this book would be great to read with someone who needs to grow in their knowledge and love of the Old Testament. It’s approachable, challenging, and richly theological. Moving forward, I’m going to have this on my discipleship reading list to give to guys as they’re working the scriptures with me.
4/5
This book is great. Truly, 144 pages of unwasted words.This was a seminary read for my old testament class.
I specifically appreciate the simplicity that Alex Motyer users in defining terms and engaging with dense concepts in the scriptures.
The summary that he offers for how the Old Testament relates to the new is contextually faithful to the meaning and placement of various Old Testament books within their historical time. While also being methodical in explaining how the narratives, prophets, and poetry all point to Christ.
Practically speaking, I think this book would be great to read with someone who needs to grow in their knowledge and love of the Old Testament. It’s approachable, challenging, and richly theological. Moving forward, I’m going to have this on my discipleship reading list to give to guys as they’re working the scriptures with me.
4/5
August 23, 2024
Idk, it’s fine. Super basic, I thought (which I guess was the point?).
My personal thought is that when people say they don’t like the OT, what they really mean is that they don’t like the prophets - they’re too hard to read, they’re not relatable, they’re dense, etc. Maybe what I was hoping for from Motyer here was something to alleviate that trouble (perhaps some history and context for the prophets, or a way to digest them in a palatable way). But a reminder that Jesus fulfilled the OT in his life and teachings is always helpful, and a reminder of the gospel is even more so - both of which Motyer does here, so I can’t complain too much.
My personal thought is that when people say they don’t like the OT, what they really mean is that they don’t like the prophets - they’re too hard to read, they’re not relatable, they’re dense, etc. Maybe what I was hoping for from Motyer here was something to alleviate that trouble (perhaps some history and context for the prophets, or a way to digest them in a palatable way). But a reminder that Jesus fulfilled the OT in his life and teachings is always helpful, and a reminder of the gospel is even more so - both of which Motyer does here, so I can’t complain too much.
September 30, 2025
What a great little book (that packs a lot into a little space!). Picked it up based on the recommendation of Keller.
Imagine that Alex Motyer (great OT scholar with a pastoral heart) sat down with you for a couple of hours to give you a basic overview of the OT, and map with key features to help you understand, and drops a bunch of insightful bits of wisdom along the way - all with the goal of making you love God and His Word more (particularly the OT). That’s this book in a nutshell! You can feel his excitement and love for the Word on every page.
I was refreshed and learned a good bit along the way.
Imagine that Alex Motyer (great OT scholar with a pastoral heart) sat down with you for a couple of hours to give you a basic overview of the OT, and map with key features to help you understand, and drops a bunch of insightful bits of wisdom along the way - all with the goal of making you love God and His Word more (particularly the OT). That’s this book in a nutshell! You can feel his excitement and love for the Word on every page.
I was refreshed and learned a good bit along the way.
November 22, 2023
I had heard many times about Alec Motyer and his wonderful Old Testament knowledge. Now I know that is true.
This book is definitely not an exhaustive commentary on the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, but it does hit some really nice commentary on certain aspects of the Old Testament. It is a very short book, so again, it is not exhaustive, but I would still recommend reading this for any serious learner of the Bible. Motyer is definitely a scholar of Old Testament.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
This book is definitely not an exhaustive commentary on the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, but it does hit some really nice commentary on certain aspects of the Old Testament. It is a very short book, so again, it is not exhaustive, but I would still recommend reading this for any serious learner of the Bible. Motyer is definitely a scholar of Old Testament.
“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews