When I read the Old Testament, it was always easy to feel as if God was more “anger and wrath” than he was in the New Testament. Take, for example, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah when God sent fire and brimstone from Heaven to destroy a wicked city. Or the worldwide flood. Or Uzzah’s death after touching the Ark of the Covenant. These examples alone might display God as an angry and unforgiving overlord who takes pleasure in finding the minutiae of daily life to punish us for.
The New Testament in stark contrast displays God as Jesus Christ who cherishes the sick, eats with sinners and forgives countless acts of sin. Why the seemingly huge contrast between the “mighty and wrathful God” of the Old Testament and the “tenderhearted and caring Jesus” of the New Testament? It was a demonstration of two sides of God’s character that are undeniably interwoven.
Let me explain. When I was a kid, I did my best to stay out of trouble, but sometimes I’d find myself face-to-face with my father after yelling or fighting with one of my siblings (which, honestly speaking, occurred more often than I’d like to admit). This led to a firm talking-to and oftentimes a more serious punishment. Were the consequences of my actions because my father didn’t love me? Or because he found enjoyment in disciplining me? Quite the opposite.
My father disciplined because he loved my siblings and me. The rules he laid out were designed to teach me to love my siblings, and in a very similar manner, God’s law was designed to teach us to love each other.
In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Each of the Ten Commandments in the Bible follows that principle. If you’re loving one another, you won’t murder; if you’re loving one another, you won’t steal; if you’re loving one another, you won’t lie.
God’s law is simply a manifestation of his love. Just as there were consequences when I broke my parents’ rules, there are consequences for breaking God’s rules–some more severe than others. The God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament are truly one and the same. Jesus’ role on Earth was to be a witness to the people and explain God’s Law through acts of love. The acts of God in the Old Testament demonstrate the consequences of rejecting God’s love.
Jesus said, “I and the Father are one. For the works that the Father has given me to finish–the very works that I am doing–testify that the Father has sent me” (John 10:30; John 5:36).
Image credit: Rachel Brouhard