In both the Old and New Testament Scriptures, we are told that God never changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). However, many people think that this portion of biblical history is at odds with Christian teachings about peace and love and God's offer of salvation. They feel that there is an appreciable difference between what they call "the God of the Old Testament", and "the God of the New Testament".
They ask, "How do we reconcile the judgement and wrath of the Old Testament with the words of Christ, who said, 'Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.'"? (Matthew 5:44). And when His disciples asked Him if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritan villages who rejected Him, Jesus said to them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them" (Luke 9:51-56).
However, there is no conflict if we take the time to learn and understand the context of the Scriptures. As I like to say, context is the BOSS of interpretation. So if we take things out of context, we will always be wrong. Taking everything in context, we see that there is no difference at all between God in the Old Testament, and the New Testament.
For one thing, Jesus was no hippie. To think of Him or present Him as being like one is simplistic and ridiculous. On one occasion, some people came to Jesus and brought up the subject of Pontius Pilate recently massacring of some Galileans.
"And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent (turn away from sin) you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5).
Jesus said "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it". (Matthew 7:13-14).
To the forgiven adulteress, Jesus said "...go and sin no more" (John 8:11). In other words, "I forgive you. Now don't let it happen again". To a miraculously healed man, Jesus said, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you" (John 5:14). Clearly, Jesus taught that there are consequences for sin. Jesus often talked about the judgement that is to come in due time (read Matthew 25). He also said "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
Aside from this, there are also examples of God's great mercy in the Old Testament, including during the Conquest of Canaan. God does not take pleasure in the death of anyone who dies. His desire is for people to turn away from sin, and live. Yet He has assured us that the soul who sins will die (read Ezekiel 18:4, 20, 23 & 32).
Before Joshua led the Israelites in the famous Battle of Jericho, he sent spies into the city. When the Israelite spies were in Jericho, and in danger of being caught, a prostitute name Rahab hid the spies in her house. She and her family knew that God had sent the Israelites, and that He was with them to give Canaan over to them. And because she responded to God with reverence and repentance, she and her family were spared (Joshua 2 & 6).
Now it is true that today we live in what Christian theologians call "the age of grace" or "the Church age". It is during this time that God extends the offer of amnesty to all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. The prophet Isaiah referred to such a time as an acceptable time (Isaiah 49:8) or acceptable year (Isaiah 61:1-2). When Jesus first began to teach in the synagogues, He opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and read from chapter 61. And after reading through the line about the acceptable year of the Lord, Jesus said "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:16-21).
During this time, between the first and second coming of Christ, the primary focus of the Lord's work is the spreading of the gospel (good news) of salvation through Jesus Christ. That is the reason why this is not a time for holy wars like the Conquest of Canaan. This is a time for God's people to peacefully tell the world about the forgiveness and love of Jesus Christ; how He died on the cross, receiving unto Himself the wages of our sin (Romans 6:23). And rose victorious over death.
But Isaiah also foretold the day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:2). That is the day of Christ's return; the second coming. And all who place their trust in Jesus Christ will be saved from the coming wrath, just as Rahab and her family were saved when God judged Canaan; and just as Noah and his family were saved from the judgment of the Genesis Flood.
So there is no change in God between the Old and New Testaments. "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). The only change is what time it is. There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). If you consider the work of a farmer; it is not always time to plow, it is not always time to plant, and it is not always time to harvest. But the same farmer carries out each task in its time.
And whether God extends His mercy or pours out His wrath, He is always justified in all that He does. God is love. And as I pointed out in last weeks post, that is precisely the reason why He is holy. He is infinitely wise and good. And He knows when it is necessary to judge and condemn. He also knows when to show mercy and have patience.
As for the Israelites, they knew that it was God who led them. He showed Himself through the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the drowning of the Egyptian army in the same water, a pillar of cloud to lead them by day, and a pillar of fire by night. He did many supernatural works to show that He was with Israel. And He even caused the walls of the city, Jericho, to collapse when the Israelites had marched around it seven times; as He commanded them to do.
As for the Israelites, they knew that it was God who led them. He showed Himself through the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the drowning of the Egyptian army in the same water, a pillar of cloud to lead them by day, and a pillar of fire by night. He did many supernatural works to show that He was with Israel. And He even caused the walls of the city, Jericho, to collapse when the Israelites had marched around it seven times; as He commanded them to do.
As for the Canaanites, they were a wicked people who practiced many abominable things. And the apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saying, "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The people of Canaan merely received the wages of their own sin. Yet God was very merciful, and waited until the wickedness of those nations was extreme before He sent Israel to destroy them (Genesis 15:16). It was good and right to destroy them from the face of the earth.
As for humanity, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And God has mercifully provided salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. He patiently withholds His final judgement until the day that He has appointed, when in due time He can no longer withhold His judgement. That day will be great and terrible - and completely necessary.
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