5 Old Testament Scriptures That Are Totally Relevant Today
They’re thousands of years old, but these verses aren’t obsolete—they’re timeless.
Illustrations by Melissa Manwill Kashiwagi
In these divided times, one thing we can probably all agree on is that, in world-historical terms, 3,000 years is a really long time.
And around that long ago, God’s prophets taught truths that are still totally relevant today—maybe even especially relevant.
Here are five scriptures from the Old Testament that fit that bill. As you think about what’s going on in the world today—or perhaps just in your own school or home—see what wisdom these words from the ancient past may have for the 21st century.
1 “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
This one may sound familiar. This is what Jesus Christ said was the “first and great commandment” in the law (see Matthew 22:37–38). And there’s a reason it’s first. Striving to love God—and to love Him with your all—lays the foundation on which to build a life of joy and purpose.
Our Heavenly Father loves us. Loving Him—and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ—can become more and more natural to us, His children, as we come to know Him. We show this love by keeping His commandments (see John 14:15).
2 “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart. … Thou shalt not … bear any grudge … , but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Leviticus 19:17–18).
Again—this may sound familiar. This scripture in Leviticus contains what the Savior said was the second great commandment in the law—to love our neighbor (see Matthew 22:37–39).
It’s not just what we do or don’t do to others that matters—though that does matter a lot. But what we think and feel has always mattered to the Lord. Hate and grudges should have no place in our hearts. It’s a happier way to live, and it will bring blessings to us and others.
3 “Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
This commandment is kind of an extension of “love thy neighbor.” And again, it’s one that never went away. It’s been repeated by prophets in every age. There have been different programs and procedures the Lord has given His people throughout the ages for helping the poor and needy. (For instance, today we have fast offerings, welfare and self-reliance programs, ministering, and other helps.) But the basic teaching has always been the same: help the poor and needy (see Matthew 25:34–40).
4 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).
Satan is the original master of spin. That is, he’ll try to make something sound better or worse than it really is to suit his purposes. And his purposes have always been aimed at getting people to not believe in God and His plan and to break God’s commandments. Of course, there have always been people willing to follow the adversary’s script and try to swap the labels on good and evil.
To avoid this confusion, we hold fast to God’s word in the scriptures and from modern prophets and apostles, and we strive to follow the Spirit.
5 “[God] delighteth in mercy. … He will have compassion upon us; … thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18–19).
Some who read the Old Testament say that God seems harsher and more concerned with justice and wrath there. But He is the same God we worship today. He is perfectly just and merciful. He delights in mercy, in fact. He wants to forgive us, so He wants us to repent. He isn’t looking for ways to condemn us but is forever offering ways to help us and bring us home.
We embrace God’s merciful nature by embracing repentance as a joyful and liberating opportunity. We accept Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice and seek the grace and forgiveness that He makes possible.