When reading the Old Testament, many people feel confused or even disturbed by some of God’s commands that seem harsh. From the death penalty, wars against other nations, to the command for total destruction of a group, all of these feel like a portrayal of God that is different from the loving Jesus in the New Testament.
Has God Changed?
An important question that often arises: is the harsh God of the Old Testament different from the loving God of the New Testament? The answer: no. God does not change. Malachi 3:6 says, “I, the LORD, do not change.” The difference is not because God changed, but because of the historical context, culture, and the unfinished plan of redemption.
In the Old Testament, God formed one nation, Israel, as the covenant vessel. In this process, God protected His people from moral corruption and idolatry, which were very destructive. Many commands that seem harsh are actually acts of protection and purification, not merely expressions of wrath.
Severe Punishments Are Not Without Reason
When God commanded judgment upon the Canaanite nations, it was not a unilateral action without reason. Genesis 15:16 states that God waited “until the iniquity of the Amorites is complete.” This means there was a long process of God’s patience before He acted. Those nations were notorious for extremely destructive practices such as child sacrifice, sexual violence in idolatrous worship, and extreme injustice.
In Deuteronomy 9:5, God affirms that Israel did not receive the land because of their righteousness, but because of the wickedness of those nations and to fulfill His promise to the ancestors of Israel. Thus, God’s actions are inseparable from His justice and faithfulness to His promises.
Viewing It from the Perspective of the Cross
The harsh commands in the Old Testament also highlight how serious sin is in God’s eyes. This provides a deep context for the cross of Christ. If we consider sin lightly, then Jesus’ sacrifice seems excessive. But if we realize that sin is truly deadly and destructive, then we will better understand the great grace in John 3:16.
Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). He took upon Himself the wrath that was rightly due to us, so now we live in an era of grace. However, the God we worship remains holy and just, as He always has been.
Do Not Judge God Based on Human Impressions
As humans, we are limited. We tend to judge based on emotions or moral standards that we consider right. However, Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We need to humble ourselves to believe that God knows better than we do, and every command of His, no matter how harsh it may seem, never departs from His character of love and justice.
Conclusion
The Old and New Testaments do not contradict each other, but complement one another. What appears cruel on one side, when viewed with eyes of faith and biblical understanding, actually shows how seriously God deals with sin, and how great His love is in providing the way of salvation.
