"Old Testament God"

I have dedicated much of my time studying the Old Testament the last couple of months. Throughout my personal time reading through the muddy waters of the Old Testament, I could not help but feel like I was reading about a God I didn’t know – almost a different God. He seemed so mean. I am used to the “New Testament God” bestowing gifts of grace and second chances.

But then I stopped reading. I prayed the Holy Spirit would help me understand the “Old Testament God” a little better. I would be lying if I told you the change was immediate. I continually read from the Old Testament and couldn’t help but re-read because my mind stumbled from disbelief. So many perished in the Old Testament. It is hard to understand how God was okay with so many lives ending.

Let’s take Cain and Abel. They are introduced to the world in chapter four of Genesis. They were the first children born to the earth. The very first babies delivered from Eve. I would think God would cherish them because they are the first of God’s command for Adam and Eve to multiply. How is it one is murdered and one is cursed?

I believe our minds go to the aftermath of the stories without focusing on the in-between. We hone in on the bad, overlooking the goodness of God and teaching of His words. Admittedly I, like others, have read chapters of Genesis to be left with question after question for God. My mind burdened by confusion. Peace and clarity haven’t resided with me until recently when I desired a deeper connection with God by understanding Him in the stories told from the Old Testament. My first perceptions shift during the re-reads. With the Holy Spirit, I am able to identify His character and acknowledge His power intended to be respected, not tested.

We have to go back to chapter three with Adam and Eve and accept the truth before blaming and passing judgment on God. The fall of man is extremely important to remember when reading these stories of the past. Sin became a part of the world. No matter how we feel about bad choices, wrong decisions and damaging circumstances, sin has overtaken our world. It is a fact we must accept to understand God in the Old Testament and our present lives. Sin is separation from God. Sin is not God. Sin is much the opposite of our Creator and Heavenly Father.

Going back to Cain and Abel let’s read Genesis 4:6-7 because they are more important than the aftermath of the sin that made the story’s ending.

Then the Lord said to Cain. ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Just as a good parent warns and teaches a child to prevent downfall in life, so does God. It could not be more plainly explained to Cain – and us! (This is the part we tend to ignore for our own life).

Just as soon as God told Cain to be good, verse eight describes how he does the opposite of what God teaches. He kills his brother, Abel. And not only does he kill him, he lies to God about it. (This is the part we tend to pass over to get to the part we think God messed up).

So many times we stop to wonder why God punished Abel to death because of the free will of Cain. In doing so, we miss the point. If you read the entire chapter you learn Able was in favor with God. Having read Matthew 17:3 from the New Testament, we know those in favor with God in the Old Testament live in eternity with God the Father in Heaven. So how was Abel punished? Since His death, he has been with God where there is no sin or fall of man.

Cain was punished for his sin. God did not separate himself from Cain. Cain’s sin did the damage to the relationship, not God. In verse 14 Cain says, “I will be hidden from your presence. I will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Furthermore, Cain thinks God has no value for his life, since he took the life of his brother, he is wrong. God tells him anyone who kills him will suffer. This tells us God values his life – sin and all. Sounds a lot like the God I know from the New Testament.

But then I read about Noah and find death of all mankind and any living creature on earth and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Why so much death?

Remember the little prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help me understand? The answer to the prayer was God does not see death the way you and I do. This world we know is not the end. What we understand is only a snippet for the life of our souls. The truth is God sees, understands and knows incomprehensible to our mind’s capacity. Even more, God’s heart grieves when our sinful nature takes over.

Genesis 6:5 brings our attention to God’s attention of the sin filled world before the great flood. Verse six says, “The Lord was grieved…His heart was filled with pain.” Why do we focus more on the outcome of the sin man chose more than God’s pain from the sin? Scripture is specific. His pain derived because the heart of the living had become wicked and evil. God could do nothing with or for these people. Their sin separated them from God. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were filled with sin and had no desire to turn from their ways despite the many warnings. They were not obedient. Sounds a lot like the world we live in today. Sin filled the world – then and now. God redeems the chaos sin creates and pardons our souls from the sin of the body.

God knew we needed Jesus. Jesus came to give life everlasting because the God we label as harsh and mean in the Old Testament values the life of our soul.

Obedience is imperative. It is for our own good and benefits our soul. I can think of no one better to honor my obedience with than the Creator of the universe who is all knowing and works on my behalf when I am faithful and honest. God is still the same God despite my confusion. His greatness remains. It is I who waffles in faith and detaches myself from His presence.  I don’t like the way the isolation feels so I choose to believe. I believe He is good and the perfect Father He says He is.

Reading the Old Testament makes me thankful for the cross. It is hard to understand the sin in the world. It is difficult to not get stuck on the frustration of not being able to ask God why. But His faithfulness in my life has been more than I can understand when I think of the mistakes I’ve made and how I have hurt others.

God grant us with peace for what we do not understand. Inspire our heart to keep learning and growing closer to you despite what our mind does not accept. Develop in us a heart and mind connected by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the cross and the blessings it brings to our lives daily. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)