I’ve heard people say, “The God in the Old Testament is harsh and unloving”. Wait a minute… have you read the Old Testament?
The Torah is made up of the first 5 books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy). Out of those 5 books did you know Deuteronomy has the most mentions of the word “love” at 16x, 3 alone in this chapter.
“You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 11:1), and then again, “It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul,” Deuteronomy 11:13.
The command is to love God but not before He first loved. We see how He loved Israel first and always:
-Signs and acts shown by the Lord.
-Defeating Egypt on Israel’s behalf.
-Removing Israel from bondage.
-Parting the Red Sea for Israel.
-The promise of the land of w/milk & honey.
How much of this did Israel deserve? How was Israel even established? This nation began from one man leaving a family who worshiped pagan gods. Now, they are numerous and flourishing as a people because of the Lord. Along this path we see them rebellious and doubting, yet by God’s grace they’re a strong people. And soon we will see them enter into their own land by the grace and love of God.
His grace and love are weaved through the pages of the Old Testament all the way through to the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. His grace and love continue to this day. “For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalms 100:5
The Father first loved us… so why not love Him?
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.