Did God See Man Differently Under The Old Law Than Under The New?
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2012
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Many people view the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or anyone else under the first, Patriarchal age and the second, Mosaical age as a cruel and angry God. And then they see Him as an all loving God under the law of Christ. Is this true, or even logical?
We have one scripture which makes this statement about Jesus:
Of course, not everyone understands that Jesus was “God in the flesh”, so they feel that God the Father was the one who was different under the Old Testament laws. I believe we can understand the seeming difference when we understand the circumstances. Try to follow me as I try to explain a few things. I may not be able to bring them out clearly.
Keep in mind that the primary reward for man to obey God is eternity in heaven. The prime punishment for man to disobey God is eternity in hell. Now, here is a statement which I try to use often and always draw fire from it. But, God has limited interest in our well being in this life! Many will gasp when they read that. But to use some logic in saying that, tell me why God allowed many of his most favorite people of all earth, to be persecuted, beaten, stoned and even had their eyes gouged out and were slain by burning at the stake, thrown to the lions, and crucified as Jesus himself endured.
The stage is set. Sin has made this earth a difficult place for most people. But keep in mind what I just said above. We have questions such as “What would a man give in exchange for his own soul?” (Matthew 16-26) If we owned the entire world and lost our eternal soul to be in hell, what would have been gained?
We also have assurance in verses such as “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
But you see, this life is so short, whatever happens to one in it, is insignificant when it comes to eternity.
With all of that in mind let’s see if we can come to some conclusion as to why man seems to have been so harshly treated under the two previous dispensations. First of all, they were primarily physical laws…by that I mean that you were allowed to do certain things and forbidden from doing other things. The rewards for obedience under those laws were promises of well being in this life. It is most easily understood under the Mosaical law because it is laid out in detail whereas it was not recorded in detail under the first.
But, God first promised Abraham (long before the law of Moses took effect) because of his faith and obedience, that his seed would bring blessings to all the nations of the earth. He also told him that they would be given a land flowing with milk and honey, a good land where they could have a good and prosperous life. Notice that all these things were promises of rewards, on this earth!
There is no record of God ever promising those of the Patriarchal, or the Mosaical dispensations, a home in heaven or that they would be sent to hell. Notice this now. Their laws were literal things they must do and must not do, their rewards and punishment were things they should expect in this life. To disobey was subject to corporal or capital punishment. To obey would bring peace, prosperity and contentment so long as they lived here on earth. Now, do we have that under our belt?
Here is a passage of scripture that best explains the coming change, in my view, although there are many other prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ and his kingdom, the church.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV)
People need to understand that God has placed us all here and subject to the laws of nature. We may be sickly, we may be an healthy athlete, we may be very poor, or we may be very wealthy. But God did not cause those things to happen to us! God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)
This life is given us in preparation for eternity and it is up to us to fight the good fight of faith. Faith and obedience are the determining factors for attaining eternity in heaven. It was so under the old law as well as ours. Our wealth and our health depends upon ourselves, our environment, our parents and natural laws which God put into effect. If you are in great health, don’t assume that God chose you to be healthy. Some of the most healthy people are ungodly. If you are wealthy, you either inherited it, worked for it, invested wisely or stole it.
God, the same God which commanded that those who sinned be put to death, and those sinful nations be totally destroyed, knew every heart and if this seems ruthless, what about sending sinners to eternal punishment? Would you prefer to be stoned to death or slain by the sword, or would you prefer to spend eternity in hell? That question is a no-brainer…no contest.
I expect hearty disagreements, but please be gentle.
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