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Look to the Rock: An Old Testament Background to Our Understanding of Christ
The Bible is one book, not two separate testaments; so the Old Testament is essential for understanding the New. In this stimulating book on the Old Testament background to Christ, Alec Motyer shows how Jesus is the king expected, who brings in the kingdom looked for in the Old Testament; is both the image and the Word of God; conquers sin and death, and brings the disordered creation to its prefect consummation. To neglect the Old Testament, the author maintains, is to have an impoverished view of the glory of Christ.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 21, 2024
Level: Advanced
Type: Biblical Theology
For a pastor, theologian, or serious Bible student, Look to the Rock is a book worthy to be read, digested, studied, and meditated on. Motyer traces several of the Bible's prominent themes through to their culmination and climax in Christ, showing the Christocentricity of all of Scripture. In Motyer's words, "[Jesus is:] the grand theme of the 'story-line' of both Testaments, the focal-point giving coherence to the total 'picture' in all its complexities." I will be using this book regularly in my sermon preparation. Summary to follow:
Theme of King and Kingdom: The "seed" promised in Genesis 3:15 is sought for and anticipated throughout the OT. Israel's Judges were each ultimately failures. Israel's lack of faith in their true King led them to the creation of the monarchy. Once the kingdom splits, the historian of book of Kings swings the spotlight back and forth in search of the ideal King, with ultimate failure. Even David, Israel's most featured monarch, aware of his own shortcomings "looks forward to the perfect Priest-King of whom he is but a pale shadow cast beforehand by coming events." Indeed, "the Old Testament is preparing us for a kingdom that is not of this world, a redeemed, believing people who already live 'in the heavenly realms' and who belong here and now to the heavenly Zion."
Themes of Covenant, Grace, and Law: "The law of the holy God is not a ladder of merit whereby sinners seek to come to God... [but:] rather, his appointed and required pattern of life for those who, by redemption, have been brought to him already.... The law of God is the life-style of the redeemed." God is gracious to Noah by entering into a covenantal relationship with him, which results in Noah's obedience. Likewise, God enters into covenant with Abraham, resulting in Abraham's obedience through the act of circumcision. Finally, the Mosaic covenant consists of deliverance through plague, redemption through passover, atonement through the blood of a substitute, reconciliation with God, and finally law as means of guide and safety.
Theme of the Image of God: We can only understand the Incomparable through images, the chief being mankind, creature par excellence, who was created in the image of God, in whom God takes form. Mankind reflects the image of God through marriage, governing, spirituality, morality, and rationality. Viewed in this light, the law of God is not binding, but a guide to live in light of a correct self-definition. The law is not binding to the redeemed, but a guide of freedom, keeping us from falling back into the slavery of sin. The image of God finds its climax in THE Image of God, Jesus Christ.
Theme of the Word of God: "In the ultimate this is the pattern of the whole Bible: the Old Testament and the words of the Lord Jesus lead up to the Calvary act of redemption; the redemptive act of Christ fulfills and confirms all foregoing revelation and cannot be understood without it; the words of the apostolic New Testament Scriptures elaborate the meaning of the act of redemption in the light of the primary revelation of truth. The first and fundamental reality is not the God who acts but the God who speaks, the God of the Word of God."
Theme of Sin: Adam broke the entire law of God through his sin of false independence, resulting in personal, marital, and economic breakdown. The Fall effects the whole person: mind, will, and emotions; as well as the whole of creation. After the Fall, sin runs downhill from Eden, spiraling out of control quickly. Yet Jesus qualifies as our substitute and robe of righteousness.
Theme of Death: As a result of the Fall death reigns, and is therefore a major OT theme. The OT's use of Sheol is simply difficult to comprehend. For some Sheol is a destination of wrath, for others a place of life, glory and fellowship with the Lord. Either way, however, man is incomplete in Sheol for his body and soul are disconnected awaiting the resurrection. Jesus Christ, however, is the Lord of the Living; the one who defeats Death; and who brings the full reality of salvation.
Themes of Creation and Consummation: "The Garden in which human history opened and became permanently scarred is balanced by the eternal garden reality of Revelation 22:1-5... The work of creation is transcended int eh work of new creation. The divisiveness of sin at Babel reversed in principle in Acts 2, is gone for ever as nations walk harmoniously, securely, fearlessly, in the city that needs neither sun nor lamp... The tiny beginning of the 'send of Abraham'...at least matches and even outruns the promises with which it all began - an innumerable world-wide company of the redeemed.... God's purpose is to 'sup up' and reconcile to himself all things in heaven and earth in Christ."
Type: Biblical Theology
For a pastor, theologian, or serious Bible student, Look to the Rock is a book worthy to be read, digested, studied, and meditated on. Motyer traces several of the Bible's prominent themes through to their culmination and climax in Christ, showing the Christocentricity of all of Scripture. In Motyer's words, "[Jesus is:] the grand theme of the 'story-line' of both Testaments, the focal-point giving coherence to the total 'picture' in all its complexities." I will be using this book regularly in my sermon preparation. Summary to follow:
Theme of King and Kingdom: The "seed" promised in Genesis 3:15 is sought for and anticipated throughout the OT. Israel's Judges were each ultimately failures. Israel's lack of faith in their true King led them to the creation of the monarchy. Once the kingdom splits, the historian of book of Kings swings the spotlight back and forth in search of the ideal King, with ultimate failure. Even David, Israel's most featured monarch, aware of his own shortcomings "looks forward to the perfect Priest-King of whom he is but a pale shadow cast beforehand by coming events." Indeed, "the Old Testament is preparing us for a kingdom that is not of this world, a redeemed, believing people who already live 'in the heavenly realms' and who belong here and now to the heavenly Zion."
Themes of Covenant, Grace, and Law: "The law of the holy God is not a ladder of merit whereby sinners seek to come to God... [but:] rather, his appointed and required pattern of life for those who, by redemption, have been brought to him already.... The law of God is the life-style of the redeemed." God is gracious to Noah by entering into a covenantal relationship with him, which results in Noah's obedience. Likewise, God enters into covenant with Abraham, resulting in Abraham's obedience through the act of circumcision. Finally, the Mosaic covenant consists of deliverance through plague, redemption through passover, atonement through the blood of a substitute, reconciliation with God, and finally law as means of guide and safety.
Theme of the Image of God: We can only understand the Incomparable through images, the chief being mankind, creature par excellence, who was created in the image of God, in whom God takes form. Mankind reflects the image of God through marriage, governing, spirituality, morality, and rationality. Viewed in this light, the law of God is not binding, but a guide to live in light of a correct self-definition. The law is not binding to the redeemed, but a guide of freedom, keeping us from falling back into the slavery of sin. The image of God finds its climax in THE Image of God, Jesus Christ.
Theme of the Word of God: "In the ultimate this is the pattern of the whole Bible: the Old Testament and the words of the Lord Jesus lead up to the Calvary act of redemption; the redemptive act of Christ fulfills and confirms all foregoing revelation and cannot be understood without it; the words of the apostolic New Testament Scriptures elaborate the meaning of the act of redemption in the light of the primary revelation of truth. The first and fundamental reality is not the God who acts but the God who speaks, the God of the Word of God."
Theme of Sin: Adam broke the entire law of God through his sin of false independence, resulting in personal, marital, and economic breakdown. The Fall effects the whole person: mind, will, and emotions; as well as the whole of creation. After the Fall, sin runs downhill from Eden, spiraling out of control quickly. Yet Jesus qualifies as our substitute and robe of righteousness.
Theme of Death: As a result of the Fall death reigns, and is therefore a major OT theme. The OT's use of Sheol is simply difficult to comprehend. For some Sheol is a destination of wrath, for others a place of life, glory and fellowship with the Lord. Either way, however, man is incomplete in Sheol for his body and soul are disconnected awaiting the resurrection. Jesus Christ, however, is the Lord of the Living; the one who defeats Death; and who brings the full reality of salvation.
Themes of Creation and Consummation: "The Garden in which human history opened and became permanently scarred is balanced by the eternal garden reality of Revelation 22:1-5... The work of creation is transcended int eh work of new creation. The divisiveness of sin at Babel reversed in principle in Acts 2, is gone for ever as nations walk harmoniously, securely, fearlessly, in the city that needs neither sun nor lamp... The tiny beginning of the 'send of Abraham'...at least matches and even outruns the promises with which it all began - an innumerable world-wide company of the redeemed.... God's purpose is to 'sup up' and reconcile to himself all things in heaven and earth in Christ."
October 12, 2020
Spectacular. It's relatively short being only about 200 pages, but it's so brimful of insight that it reads more like a 600-pager. There were sentences on nearly every page that stopped me in my tracks--such big ideas wrapped in such wonderful turns of phrase that I just had to stop and ponder them for a bit (and will continue to do so for a long time to come).
July 18, 2012
I found a reference to this book in a footnote in Clowney's "Preaching Christ in all of Scripture." Having read Motyer's small commentary on James and being in the midst of his commentary on Isaiah, and being well-helped by them, I sought out a copy.
It's not easy to find. I finally had to order one used from a bookseller in the UK that I found on Alibris or Amazon. But the effort was worth it.
Motyer's view on Biblical Theology is clear and engaging. I found his construct of the meshing of man in the image of God and law as representing the character of God to be very illuminating.
Well worth finding a copy and reading.
It's not easy to find. I finally had to order one used from a bookseller in the UK that I found on Alibris or Amazon. But the effort was worth it.
Motyer's view on Biblical Theology is clear and engaging. I found his construct of the meshing of man in the image of God and law as representing the character of God to be very illuminating.
Well worth finding a copy and reading.
January 30, 2013
Great book. Word on the street is that this is one of a few books that Tim Keller keeps handy on his desk. I can see why. Motyer is thoughtful without being dry or overly heady. Look to the Rock is rich with Scripture and Christocentric. Duh. Utilizing vignettes and themes from all over the Hebrew Scriptures Motyer provides a terrific resource for preaching Christ from all Scripture. Must read. Will be keeping this handy when prepping to preach. And won't be surprised if I come back to it and read it again.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews