Old Testament struggles..

For those of us that struggle reading the OT and finding appropriate applications from it, I just wanted to share some thoughts and some of my reading. Reading the OT is definitely tough, and we probably treat it as "less inspired" at times in our attitude and approach than that of the NT, but if your like me, one may need to first start with an attitude adjustment. (The following is from my OT Survey book by Walton and Hill.)
As God's self-revelation, the objective of the Old Testament is that the reader comes to know God better. In addition, knowing God is also accomplished by experiencing his attributes. The Old testament should then be viewed as a presentation of God's attributes in action. What does this teach us about God?
Then, what must be achieved is that his attributes become the framework of our worldview. By this we mean that our perspectives on ourselves, our society, our world, our history, conduct, decisions, everything...should be knit together by an informed and integrated view of God.

This is obviously brief, but I just want to encourage you to keep trying, keep struggling with it. But learn to study it well, study it smart. Look up resources to help you understand the OT and the Bible. There out there! Don't try to do it by yourself, use the community around you and in the world. To end with a verse, Romans 15:4, Paul speaking of the OT...

- For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Think about it

* Just some resources you can read to help you understand and learn how to read the bible.
- Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for all its worth
- Walt Russell, Playing with Fire