The Tanakh, i.e. Hebrew Bible or Old Testament, is the start of our documented knowledge of YHWH and the basis of our Lord Jesus Christ's coming. The New Testament part of our Bible is therefore built on this former part. Knowledge of the Tanakh is therefore vital but as important as it is, it must be read in the light of the New Testament.
The Bible as a whole is not just a collection of writings nor is it just history. Its books are a progressive unveiling of God and his plan for the humans he created. As we read, we see that reasonings which were valid in the earlier part of God's plan get superseded by his newer revelations. The former covenant was made by God with Israel through Moses and with the sacrifice of bulls and goats.
''Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”Exodus 24:8
The newest agreement (i.e. covenant) is the one YHWH made with the WHOLE WORLD ratified with the blood of Jesus Christ!
''This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'' Matthew 26:28
This, however, is not saying we make up a progressive Theology to conform with our changing world, rather, it means we must study to understand God's reasons, his thinking and plan as HE unveiled it in the Old (Agreement/Testament), and as it leads to the resurrection of Christ in the New, continuing in the ministry of his Apostles - a ministry we carry on today as Jesus mandated in Matthew 28:18-20. It is this understanding we must apply in dealing with all affairs of our life and Public and World Issues.
YHWH does not change. He was a loving God in the Old Testament as he is in the New. [1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6]
But something HAS changed: Jesus HAS paid the price for the Human race.
While most Ministers know this to be a fact in their walk with God, few seem to apply it in their discernment and judgement of Public and World issues. It applies.
Jesus was not a sacrifice for 'Christians', he represented the whole Human race and died for the whole World. Therefore YHWH now sees the whole world in the light of this change. He seemed harsh in the Old Testament because he was dealing with people who had no other way of understanding him but through his toughness. As the Philistines themselves understood this:
''Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?'' 1 Samuel 6:6
And John the Apostle explained concerning Israel:
''For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”
Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.'' John 12:40 - 41
Now that there is another way, a way made legally possible by Jesus' payment for our sins. God's mercy can freely trump his judgment. This is his dispensation of Grace!
''For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.'' Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2
When his period of Grace is over, then a period of Justice and Rewards will come to be. This will mean Eternal punishment for all who chose to pay for their sins by themselves (implied by their refusal of Jesus' payment on their behalf) and reward for all the good works done by those who accepted Jesus for their salvation and walked in the light of his salvation. But till God's period of Justice and Rewards comes fully, we make decisions in the context of his mercy because he also does.
''for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.'' Romans 3:23 -26
Mistakes made by Christians in public affairs over the centuries since Jesus left physically have come about from not applying their understanding of the times in light of the revealed plan of God in the Bible. The government rests on Christ's shoulders therefore it rests on us as the body of Christ. Therefore, we should be careful to walk with what is already unveiled by YHWH and Jesus in the scriptures. There is always room for debate among us as brothers and sisters in the faith, but it must not exclude or downplay God's plan for our time..
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.'' John 3:15-17
“Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.'' Isaiah 9:6-7
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