You've probably heard, somewhere along the line, someone say something to the effect of, "God in the Old Testament is so different than Jesus in the New Testament." The idea is that the Old and New Testaments paint such a different picture, that you can't really believe both of them at once, and that God either changed or God did not inspire both texts. The problem is that there are a number of people, both in and out of the church, that know so little about the Bible that these kind of misconceptions exist. I know I used to have this misconception, and before I read the Old Testament all the way through, I was a little bit nervous. I read it at first with a considerable dose of skepticism, because I did not want what I might read in the Old Testament to affect my beliefs or thinking. I realize now how foolish and ignorant that was. Let me demonstrate, with a few examples, how consistent the Old Testament and the New Testament really are, and how a Christian can read both of them with full confidence.
The judgement of God
This is something that popular opinion might relegate to the Old Testament. Y'know, "Jesus is so loving but His Father is so judgmental," idea. Not so fast. Jesus does not let sinners off easy, but just the opposite.
Not every who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 7:21
The really disturbing part of that is that He is speaking about people who consider themselves to be Christians, otherwise they wouldn't be saying "Lord, Lord". Now take a look at what Jesus says to the religious leaders of His time:
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? -Jesus in Matthew 23:33
Doesn't sound like the nice, loves-everybody, teddy bear Jesus, does it? And that's not all...
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' -Jesus in Mark 9:47-48
Whoa. This is all New Testament. So much for the idea that the New Testament is all about God's grace and forgiveness. Anyone who knows the New Testament knows that there is plenty of warnings, both for believers and for nonbelievers, of the wrath and judgement of God. Look at how the return of Jesus is described:
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:13-15
Now if you think this is somehow different than what's in the Old Testament, let me refer you so something David wrote in the Psalms:
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:12
God's grace to the meek and brokenhearted
This is the other side of the coin. Its a common misconception that God in the Old Testament is always judgmental and mean; that there's no grace. Those who have read the Old Testament know that God shows a lot of grace and love to the people who really need it.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Now compare that to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. -Jesus in Matthew 5:3-4
God's love and care for the helpless
Going all the way back to Exodus - the Torah - where so many people can only think of God's vengeance for sin, we find that God is caring and compassionate for the people who need it the most. See if this doesn't sound like love to you.
Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. -Yahweh in Exodus 22:21-22
Love your enemies
When you say that, immediately people think of Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, but its not just a New Testament teaching. God has been teaching us to love our enemies both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it. -Yahweh in Exodus 23:4-5
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?" "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory. 2Kings 6:21-23
These are just a few examples that illustrate a much bigger truth. I could probably write several blogs on consistent truths in the Old and New Testaments. I mention these simply to combat some common misconceptions. Its important to note that Jesus and the apostles quoted or alluded to the Old Testament over 300 times. Examples of consistent teachings, and a clear connection, are abundant to say the least. When people try to say that there is some great disparity between the two, its likely either they've never actually read the Bible, or they are looking for some way to attack its credibility.
The judgement of God
This is something that popular opinion might relegate to the Old Testament. Y'know, "Jesus is so loving but His Father is so judgmental," idea. Not so fast. Jesus does not let sinners off easy, but just the opposite.
Not every who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. -Jesus in Matthew 7:21
The really disturbing part of that is that He is speaking about people who consider themselves to be Christians, otherwise they wouldn't be saying "Lord, Lord". Now take a look at what Jesus says to the religious leaders of His time:
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? -Jesus in Matthew 23:33
Doesn't sound like the nice, loves-everybody, teddy bear Jesus, does it? And that's not all...
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' -Jesus in Mark 9:47-48
Whoa. This is all New Testament. So much for the idea that the New Testament is all about God's grace and forgiveness. Anyone who knows the New Testament knows that there is plenty of warnings, both for believers and for nonbelievers, of the wrath and judgement of God. Look at how the return of Jesus is described:
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:13-15
Now if you think this is somehow different than what's in the Old Testament, let me refer you so something David wrote in the Psalms:
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:12
God's grace to the meek and brokenhearted
This is the other side of the coin. Its a common misconception that God in the Old Testament is always judgmental and mean; that there's no grace. Those who have read the Old Testament know that God shows a lot of grace and love to the people who really need it.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Now compare that to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. -Jesus in Matthew 5:3-4
God's love and care for the helpless
Going all the way back to Exodus - the Torah - where so many people can only think of God's vengeance for sin, we find that God is caring and compassionate for the people who need it the most. See if this doesn't sound like love to you.
Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. -Yahweh in Exodus 22:21-22
Love your enemies
When you say that, immediately people think of Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, but its not just a New Testament teaching. God has been teaching us to love our enemies both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it. -Yahweh in Exodus 23:4-5
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?" "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory. 2Kings 6:21-23
These are just a few examples that illustrate a much bigger truth. I could probably write several blogs on consistent truths in the Old and New Testaments. I mention these simply to combat some common misconceptions. Its important to note that Jesus and the apostles quoted or alluded to the Old Testament over 300 times. Examples of consistent teachings, and a clear connection, are abundant to say the least. When people try to say that there is some great disparity between the two, its likely either they've never actually read the Bible, or they are looking for some way to attack its credibility.
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