How do you see the Old Testament?

I'll be honest with you - I have never seen Scripture from this perspective. 

I understand why so many people do. I understand the reasoning and thought process behind it. I understand how people get there. Now I'm trying to figure out how to move them away from it.

Over the years I have heard this idea more times than I can tell you: The God of the Old Testament seems cruel. The God of the New seems so much more loving. Sometimes it's even phrased this way: God seems mean and scary. Jesus is loving and kind.

We say it's one book and yet we read it, teach it, and sometimes even talk as if it's really two separate ones. It is no wonder we struggle to appreciate the first two-thirds of the Bible. The Old Testament is focused on a group that's not us, a problem we no longer have, and a God we can't understand or control. By comparison the New Testament feels safer, kinder, and easier. Paul's letters are far more straightforward than a book like Judges. The few commands we find make more sense than those in Leviticus. And who can't help but fall in love with Jesus!

And so most of us tend to stay in the New Testament. I was a part of a Bible study once where an older woman made the statement "I occasionally like to read the Old Testament, but when I do, every other day or so I still need to read the New to lighten things up and encourage myself." Sadly, I bet many Christians would agree with her.

Somehow, I just don't see those words coming from Jesus or Paul.

What we call "the Old Testament" was simply "Scripture" to them. It was their lifeblood and taught them how to connect with God. It was filled with hope and history, blessings and curses, warnings and promises. It was worth spending all night meditating on, using your last breath to quote, and knowing by heart from childhood to old age. It was quite simply the Word of God.

We would do well to follow their example.

What about you, Dear Reader, how do you see the Old Testament? What things make it difficult for you to see it as One Book? One Story?