Many today understand the difference between the Old Testament and the New, and that we are not under the provisions of the Old Testament law. We know that the Lord, while on earth, did what we couldn’t in living by the standards set by the law and thus fulfilled it. When He fulfilled the law, it was abrogated and taken away at the cross (Ephesians 2:15-17; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews, 2 Corinthians 3; Galatians and other passages).

But many have the misconception that the God of the Old Testament is not the same God we read of in the New Testament. Some believe that the God of the Old Testament is harsh, vindictive, cruel and always looking for an opportunity to destroy those who sin against Him. They reference passages such as Genesis 6–9 which relate the story of the flood, and Genesis 18–19 which relates the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They point to God's destruction of the Canaanites by His people and the supposed cruelty of a God who demanded that women and children be killed. They then point to passages throughout the Old Testament which warn God's people of the end results of their disobedience and sin and say that God is just looking for the opportunity to get them.

But the Old Testament does not only reveal God in this way. We notice how God was patient and longsuffering in the days of Noah, waiting 120 years before sending the flood. Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God sent His angels to observe the city to see how sinful it was. We see His delivering the children of Israel by a mighty hand from Egyptian bondage and His gracious acts in sparing them time and again when they sinned against Him. We see Him giving the warnings by His servants, the prophets, to His people time and again, warning them in every way He can before He actually sends His punishment upon them.

The God of the Old Testament is the God is the New Testament. In Malachi 3:6, God said through Malachi, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” God is saying to them that He is not a God that arbitrarily destroys people—He has been more than patient with His people, even when they sin against Him. The only reason why Israel was not consumed is because God was and is a gracious and merciful God.

Jesus revealed God in this way throughout the New Testament (John 1:18). Perhaps we have a much better understanding of His grace and mercy by looking at the cross and seeing to what extent God would go to save us from our sins. But let us not forget that the God who has been so gracious in forgiveness, mercy and love is also the God who cannot tolerate sin and will one day punish those who continue in the same. Why? Is it just because His honor has been offended? NO! It is because He knows what sin does to us and our relationships to Him and to one another.

We serve a gracious, loving God. May we honor Him every day by our lips, our lives and our service.