When we study the Old Testament, let us keep in mind that it is Christ-centered. “We have found the Messiah, of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote. We have found Him. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of Joseph from Nazareth” (John 1:45). ?herefore the Old Testament cannot be understood apart from the New Testament.
Many people, especially non-Christians, claim that the God of the Old Testament is harsh or cruel. However, this view is incomplete. When the Old Testament is read in its proper context, a different picture emerges: the same God is both just and deeply merciful.
To understand this, we must first consider the world in which the Old Testament is set. It was a fallen world, marked by violence, idolatry, and hardened human hearts. Human life was often devalued, and moral chaos was widespread. In such a context, God’s revelation was not abstract, but directed toward healing a broken humanity.
One example is the severity of early human behavior. Scripture shows how easily violence occurred, such as when Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4:8). Later, even Moses reacted violently when he killed an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite (Exodus 2:12). This reflects a world where violence was common and often unchecked.
In order to restrain this escalating cycle of revenge, God introduced a legal principle: “an eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24). This was not an encouragement of violence, but a limitation of it. It was meant to prevent endless retaliation and to reduce brutality in society.
Within this framework, the laws of the Mosaic Law must be understood. Some may appear strict to modern readers, but they were given in a context where society had very different moral conditions. Even punishments had a pedagogical purpose: to preserve order and prevent greater corruption.
At the same time, the Old Testament reveals a strong moral and spiritual teaching. God commands interior transformation, not only external obedience:
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart” (Leviticus 19:17).
Even in an age where hatred was common, God demanded purity of heart.
He also commands mercy and restraint:
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people” (Leviticus 19:18).
In a culture where revenge was natural, God introduced forgiveness.
Justice is also strongly emphasized. Workers must be treated fairly:
“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy… at his day thou shalt give him his hire” (Deuteronomy 24:14–15).
Even slaves were not forgotten. The Law commanded release and generosity after years of service:
“And when thou sendest him out free… thou shalt furnish him liberally” (Deuteronomy 15:13–14).
Remarkably, God’s care extended even to animals:
“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn” (Deuteronomy 25:4).
“Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together” (Deuteronomy 22:10).
Think about this seriously: all of this took place in a time when people could easily kill their fellow human beings! And yet God, even in that era, cared for slaves and for animals, which at that time were considered even lower in status than slaves! Isn’t it impressive?
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Next in this series: Who Can Tell Us the Truth About Jesus Christ?
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