God in Old Testament vs. New Testament & The Law

Flashcards covering key texts, concepts of God in the Old and New Testaments, the nature and purpose of the Law, and profiles of Old Testament prophets, based on lecture notes.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Key text promising God's blessing, healing, and forgiveness if His people pray, seek Him, and abandon sin.

Hosea 2:19-23

Key text discussing being betrothed to God and being blessed with health and prosperity when His people acknowledge Him.

Divine Violence

Violence which God is said to have perpetrated, caused, or sanctioned without the use of human agents.

Examples of Divine Violence (Old Testament)

Sending fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, Babylon punishing Judah, ordering Israelites to punish Canaanites.

God's "Anger" in the Old Testament

Often viewed as that of a tyrant or bloodthirsty God, especially when His children turn away from Him in favor of sin.

Exodus 4:14-15

Describes God's restrained and measured anger when Moses objects five times to confronting Pharaoh.

Exodus 15:7-8

Describes God's act of judgment in flooding the Red Sea and killing Pharaoh's army after ten instances of oppression.

Exodus 32:10

Describes Moses interceding for the Israelites to prevent God's anger after they worshipped a Golden Calf.

God's Mercy and Wrath (Old vs. New Testament)

God shows plenty of mercy in the Old Testament and plenty of wrath in the New Testament.

Psalms 32:1-2

Key text showing God's forgiveness of David for murder and adultery.

Jesus' Warnings of Hell

Found in Matthew 3:7 (flee from wrath), Matthew 25:46 (eternal punishment), and Matthew 18:8-9 (eternal fire).

The Law (Lesson 2)

A description of God’s character, which believers obey because they are saved, not to be saved.

Ellen G. White's view on Law and Gospel

The law is the gospel embodied, and the gospel is the law unfolded; the law is the root, the gospel is the blossom and fruit.

Definition of God's Law

A standard code of conduct, as seen in Exodus 20 (Ten Commandments), Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, and Deuteronomy 10:4.

Purpose of the Law

Represents God’s purpose, intent, and will for us; a reflection of God’s character (holiness, justice, goodness); a guide that provides blessings.

Inability to Follow the Law

We are unable to follow the law perfectly because it reveals all our sin, guilt, and imperfection, due to our sinful nature.

Condemning Nature of the Law

Disobeying the law exposes us to its consequence, which is death ('the wages of sin is death'), caused by our personal sinful nature.

The Law's Role in Revealing Sin

It points out specific inclinations of our sinful flesh (anger, lust), showing how far we are from God's character and developing guilt, leading to a need for a Savior.

How the Law Points to Christ

When one realizes they cannot keep the law, they turn to Jesus, who perfectly kept every law, leading to salvation through faith in Him, not law-keeping.

Relevance of the Law

It remains relevant as a guide for Christian living, outlining God's moral principles that should be observed to honor and obey Him.

Old Testament Prophets - Three Main Roles

1. Held Israel accountable for sin; 2. Called Israelites to repent; 3. Spoke or preached God’s judgment and hope.

Hosea

Ministered to the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim), husband of Gomer, son of Beeri, younger contemporary of Amos.

Joel

Son of Pethuel, an early prophet of Judah, possibly a contemporary of Elisha, known for using questions and answers, and whose prophecies were quoted by Peter on Pentecost.

Amos

A farmer who became a prophet during an abundant, optimistic, and peaceful period of Israel.

Obadiah

Author of the second shortest book in the Old Testament (one chapter), he prophesied the end of the Edomites and was a contemporary of Elisha.

Jonah

From Gath Hepher, the only prophet Jesus likened to Himself, whose experience is similar to Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, known for running from, to, with, and ahead of God.

Micah

From Moresheth Gath, he prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah.

Nahum

Prophesied that Nineveh would end with a giant flood and that Assyria would be conquered and Judah restored, about 100 years after Jonah.

Habakkuk

Ministered during Judah's 'death throb' period and was told by God that Babylon would be the chastening rod against Judah.

Zephaniah

The only prophet of royal descent, a contemporary of Jeremiah and Habakkuk, whose book opens with idolatry, wrath, and judgment, but closes with correct worship, rejoicing, and blessing.

Haggai

Author of the second shortest book in the Old Testament, he and Zechariah urged people to rebuild the temple, having returned from Babylon.

Zechariah

Began prophesying at a young age (520 BC), a member of the Great Synagogue, contemporary of Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Joshua, known for using 8 visions, 4 messages, and 2 burdens.

Malachi

Ministered during Nehemiah's time, preached to those plagued by arrogance and uneasy marriages, and was the last prophet to speak before 400 years of prophetic silence.