(IMPORTANT: IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT THE PERSONALITY OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT, NOT  THE TRUTH AND GRACE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT  THROUGH JESUS CHRIST John 1:14-17).

 

Many Christians mistakenly believe that God’s personality and His dealings with His children are different in the Old Testament and New Testament.  There is a preconceived image of God being a punishing God with no mercy in the Old Testament.

 

Part of this confusion stems from a misunderstanding of the ritual law, ceremonial law and the system of justice that God provided Israel as a nation (to preserve the stability of it). Along with the moral law that God instituted and that represented His will for His children. This confusion has led many to nullify the rich personality of God that is revealed to us in the Old Testament by the Prophets and Servants of God.

 

The personality of God in the Old Testament and New Testament.

 

The personality of God is the same and has not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ (God) is the same yesterday, today and forever. God also shows that He was great in mercy in the Old Testament. His mercies are renewed every day before and now:

 

Lamentations 3:21-23

21 This I recall to my mind, 

Therefore I have hope. 

22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses [a]indeed never cease, 

For His compassions never fail. 

23 They are new every morning; 

Great is Your faithfulness.

 

In the Old Testament God shows to be a good, faithful, just and forgiving God. He continually had mercy and forgiveness and always will for those who love Him, keep His commandments and repent of their sins:

 

Psalms 107:1

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, 

For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

 

Deuteronomy 5:10

but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 

 

Psalms 86:5

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, 

And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. 

 

Examples of God's forgiveness and restoration in the Old and New Testaments:

 

The Old Testament shows many examples of God's forgiveness to those who repent, serve only Him and follow His will. It's the same message, it is not altered. We can find repentance and forgiveness of sins throughout the Bible. This leaves us a testimony of the person of God and how He remains firm and unchanged. Here are some examples of both, the Old Testament and the New:

 

- Old Testament:

 

Entire chapters from : Ezequiel 18 and Ezequiel 33

 

Micah 7:18

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity 

And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His [a]possession? 

He does not retain His anger forever, 

Because He delights in [b]unchanging love.

 

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; 

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 

 

- New Testament:

 

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

 

Titus 2:11

For the grace of God has appeared, [a]bringing salvation to all men,

 

The Justice of God in the Old and New Testaments:

 

 God makes show of His Justice and hatred of sin in the same way throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. We must distinguish the justice that was done to the people of Israel for breaking the law (as it would be done today in our judicial system), from the justice that God imposed because of the practice of sin from the people of Israel.

 

The sacrifices and rituals of the people of Israel were not valid for God. He wanted repentant hearts and for them to follow His will. (Hosea 6:6,). Just as He wants for us today:

 

Micah 6:6-8

6 With what shall I come to the LORD 

And bow myself before the God on high? 

Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, 

With yearling calves? 

7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, 

In ten thousand rivers of oil? 

Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, 

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; 

And what does the LORD require of you 

But to do justice, to love [a]kindness, 

And to walk [b]humbly with your God?

 

God showed, on countless occasions, His repentance to the verdict that He would send to His people because of their practice of sin. He had mercy on them, until the wickedness, hardness of heart , caused Him to have to act (we recommend reading the book of Jeremiah).

 

Similarly, the judgment and forgiveness of God is present in the New Testament. With Paul we have the example of a persecutor of the church and murderer (Acts 26:10). He repented and his life changed completely, changing from a persecutor of the gospel to being persecuted for preaching the gospel. 

 

Ananias and Sapphira on other hand, were a clear example of God's judgment (Acts 5: 1-11) with the deliberate intent to deceive and lie to the Holy Spirit.

 

Conclusion

 

We must therefore take away all preconceived prejudices and understand that God has not changed from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. He is always the same; faithful, forgiving the repentant heart, just and great in mercy. It is important that we read the Old Testament to enjoy the personality of God, knowing how to distinguish the law, the Justice of God and the love of God. 

 

(IMPORTANT: IN THIS TOPIC WE TALK ABOUT THE PERSONALITY OF GOD IN THE OT AND THE NT. NOT  THE TRUTH AND GRACE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT  THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (John 1:14-17).

 

Note: This is a brief explanation of the topic in matter. If you need an explanation of a verse or have any other questions, please contact us and we will gladly explain everything.