The Old Testament can often seem a bit confusing and harsh. Even as a Christian, I’ve certainly struggled with some of the passages in the OT and I think many others do as well. I hope this blog helps us better understand the Old Testament in light of context, culture and the finished work of Christ.
Much of this has been inspired by Paul Copan’s book on the topic*.
1) We have to remember that the ideal vision of God was always that of the Garden of Eden. The Fall of humanity (after their rebellion against God) shattered everything good. Everything after the Fall was basically a process of God working with sinful humanity to get them back to that ideal. This will eventually happen in the New Heaven and the New Earth (ultimately because of the work of Christ).
2) One of the most important principles to understand is that of the distinction between the Old Covenant (or Testament) and the New Covenant (or Testament). The Old must be read with the eyes of the New or else we will never really grasp it.
The Mosaic Covenant (i.e. the Law) is described in the Bible as inferior to the New. Through His work on the cross Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. Much of the Law (the ceremonies and civic rules) do not apply to us anymore. The Ten Commandments are now written in our hearts and we are aided to keep them by grace, faith and the power of the Holy Spirit
3) Although some of the laws of Moses seem very harsh to us, we have to realize that the Ancient Near East (of which Israel was a part of) was a brutal culture far removed from today’s western society. In contrast to the laws of the surrounding culture, the laws of Moses were less harsh and valued the dignity of human life much more.
4) The New Testament says that the Law of Moses was a tutor to bring us to Christ. However, even before the Law was given, Abraham was proclaimed righteous by faith and grace (Romans 4:16, Gal 3:18). OT people were still ultimately saved by faith and grace.
5) In Matthew 19:8 we read Jesus’s words: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” Herein is a principle whereby we understand that God sometimes accommodates humanity in their sinful condition but it wasn’t that way in the beginning and God will not leave them there (for Jesus clarifies this in the New Testament).
6) Just because something is recorded in the OT does not necessarily mean it is endorsed by God. If we think of some of the atrocities committed in the Book of Judges, we can see that this was a record of history not a prescription on how to live.
7) The language of the OT and of the Ancient Near East (ANE) must be considered as well. Hyperbole (exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally) were in common use in the ANE. For example, the OT describes the total annihilation (men, women and children) of the Canaanites and yet it also records that the Canaanites continued to live in the land after this war. It’s a bit like one sports team saying they ‘utterly destroyed’ another team – we understand this to be hyperbole.
Another note – when God judges in the OT it is not in regard to ethnicity but in regard to sin. God judges both Israel and the surrounding nations in measure of their sin.
8) It is ironic that we in the modern West look down our noses so much at Judeo (and even Christian) ethics and values when, in fact, our society was really built on them. We certainly do not live under the OT anymore but even in the OT those ethics and values were forming.
9) It often seems like God is very harsh and judgemental in the OT. It helps to remember that God is gracious and merciful and only judges when greatly provoked. “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” Ezekiel 33:11
We must also realize that in Jesus we also see the true nature of God. He is the perfect image of what God is truly like (“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9). So look to Jesus.
• “Is God a Moral Monster: Making Sense of the Old Testament God” by Paul Copan Copyright 2011 by Baker Books. Although the title sounds somewhat alarming this is actually a claim made by the New Atheists who mock God. Paul Copan answers this claim well in the book.
