The ‘Harsh’ God How the Bible describes God in the O.T The Nature of God God’s Justice The Flood Sodom and Gomorah Common Features

1. The God of the Old andThe God of the Old and
the Newthe New
Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

2. OutlineOutline
 The ‘Harsh’ GodThe ‘Harsh’ God
 How the Bible describes God in the O.THow the Bible describes God in the O.T
 The Nature of GodThe Nature of God
 God’s JusticeGod’s Justice
 The FloodThe Flood
 Sodom and GomorahSodom and Gomorah
 Common FeaturesCommon Features
 OutlineOutline

3. The ‘Harsh’ GodThe ‘Harsh’ God
 Non-Christians sometimes assert that God is
portrayed in the Old Testament as a cruel
and ruthless deity that indiscriminately orders
the execution of seemingly innocent men,
women, and children, or directly carries out
their deaths by various means.
 Such a God, the argument goes, in no way
represents the loving Creator or Father figure
that the New Testament offers, and should in
no way be worshipped or venerated.
 OutlineOutline

4. The ‘Harsh’ GodThe ‘Harsh’ God
 However, a closer examination of God in the
Old Testament refutes the charge of the
Creator being a tyrant and instead reveals a
righteous, patient, merciful, and loving God
who does indeed mirror the picture painted
by Jesus and the rest of the New Testament
writers.
 OutlineOutline

5. The ‘Harsh’ GodThe ‘Harsh’ God
 On the other hand, many see the New Testament
as quite different. It tells about Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, who taught love toward others, showed
mercy, healed multitudes of people, held children in
His arms and gave His life as a sacrifice without
resistance.
 Comparing these examples, many have concluded
that the Father was the God of the Old Testament—
the God of justice and punishment. Jesus, the Son,
was the God revealed in the New Testament—the
God of love and mercy.
 OutlineOutline

6. The ‘Harsh’ GodThe ‘Harsh’ God
 Some even believe Jesus came to stand in the gap
between us and the Father—essentially delivering
us from His Father’s restrictive law!
 But the truth of the Bible is much different.
 OutlineOutline

7.  John revealed a surprising truth in John 1:18:
“No one has seen God at any time. The only
begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the
Father, He has declared Him”. Jesus also said,
“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has
testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice
at any time, nor seen His form” (John 5:37).
 These two scriptures teach us an important fact:
The Father has not directly spoken to or been
seen by any human being at any time.
 OutlineOutline
The Word of GodThe Word of God
The Revelation of theThe Revelation of the
FatherFather

8. The Word of GodThe Word of God
The Revelation of theThe Revelation of the
FatherFather
 But if we look through the Old Testament, we
see many occasions when God worked directly
with human beings. (Consider, for example,
Genesis 2:16-17; 6:13-14; 12:1; 17:1; Exodus
3:4-6; 33:11, 22-23; Numbers 12:6-8;
Deuteronomy 4:33; Jeremiah 1:4-10).
 We see that a divine being in the Old Testament
dealt directly with people; but according to
Jesus, this divine being could not have been
God the Father.
 OutlineOutline

9. The Word of GodThe Word of God
The Revelation of theThe Revelation of the
FatherFather
 Jesus said that He came to “reveal” the Father
(Matthew 11:27). By claiming to be the Son of
God (John 10:36), Jesus contradicted one of the
Jew’s most treasured doctrines—that God is
composed of strictly one divine being.
 They did not understand that God is actually a
family—composed of the Father and the Son
(John 1:18; Romans 1:4; Philippians 2:6-11).
 OutlineOutline

10. The Word of GodThe Word of God
The Revelation of theThe Revelation of the
FatherFather
 By identifying Himself as “I AM,” Jesus
claimed that He had eternally existed.
 Christ identified Himself as the God of
Abraham and Moses, and the One who led
Israel out of Egypt (which is also affirmed by
the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4).
 OutlineOutline

11. Bible Verses onBible Verses on
God’s Love in theGod’s Love in the
O.TO.T
 The Old Testament in many places describes
God as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and abounding in mercy." (Exodus
34:6; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy
4:31; Nehemiah 9:17;Psalm
86:5, 15; 108:4; 145:8; Joel 2:13).
 6
And the LORD passed before him and
proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God,
merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and
abounding in goodness and truth, Exodus
 OutlineOutline

12. Bible Verses onBible Verses on
God’s Love in theGod’s Love in the
O.TO.T
 18
‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in
mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression;
but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting
the iniquity of the fathers on the children to
the third and fourth generation.’ Num 14:18
 OutlineOutline

13. The Nature of GodThe Nature of God
• OmnibenevolentOmnibenevolent – All-good and righteous Judge– All-good and righteous Judge
• ““And He will judge the world in righteousness;And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples withHe will execute judgment for the peoples with
equity.” (Psalm 9:8)equity.” (Psalm 9:8)
• "Before the LORD; for He is coming to judge"Before the LORD; for He is coming to judge
the earth; He will judge the world withthe earth; He will judge the world with
righteousness, And the peoples with equity."righteousness, And the peoples with equity."
(Psalms 98:9)(Psalms 98:9)
 OutlineOutline

14. The Nature of GodThe Nature of God
• ImmutabilityImmutability – God does not change– God does not change
• ““I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
• ““God is not a man, that He should lie, nor aGod is not a man, that He should lie, nor a
son of man, that Heson of man, that He
should change His mind” (Numbers 23:19)should change His mind” (Numbers 23:19)
• ““Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today,Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today,
and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)
 OutlineOutline

15. 4
“Do not think in your heart, after the LORD your God has
cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my
righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess
this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these
nations that the LORD is driving them out from before
you. 5
It is not because of your righteousness or the
uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their
land, but because of the wickedness of these
nations that the LORD your God drives them out from
before you, and that He may fulfill the word which
the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. (Deuteronomy 9:4-5)
God’s JusticeGod’s Justice

16. 9
“When you come into the land which the LORD your God
is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the
abominations of those nations. 10
There shall not be found
among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter
pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a
soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a
sorcerer, 11
or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a
spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12
For all who do
these things are an abomination to the LORD, and
because of these abominations the LORD your God drives
them out from before you. (Deut 18:9-12)
God’s JusticeGod’s Justice

17. 24
‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things;
for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am
casting out before you. 25
For the land is defiled;
therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it,
and the land vomits out its inhabitants. (Leviticus 18:24-
25)
God’s JusticeGod’s Justice

18. God’s ConsistentGod’s Consistent
CharacterCharacter

19. God’s ConsistentGod’s Consistent
CharacterCharacter

20. God’s ConsistentGod’s Consistent
CharacterCharacter

21. The FloodThe Flood
 In Genesis 6, God’s judgment upon the world
at large is found in these words: “The Lord
said, “I will blot out man whom I have created
from the face of the land, from man to
animals to creeping things and to birds of the
sky; for I am sorry that I have made them,”"
(Gen. 6:7).
 While the universal flood certainly seems
extreme on the surface, there are a number
of factors that should be kept in mind.
 OutlineOutline

22. The FloodThe Flood
 First, the Bible makes it clear that violence
and evil had grown to be extremely pervasive
so that it literally touched everything and
everyone that existed at that time.
 Genesis 6:5 states: “Then the LORD saw
that the wickedness of man was great on the
earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of
his heart was only evil continually.”
 OutlineOutline

23. The FloodThe Flood
 Next, during the construction of the ark, which
lasted at least 100 years, Noah is described as a
‘preacher of righteousness’ (cf. 2 Pet. 2:5) to the
people around him.
 This means the people had 100 or so years to
listen to the message of Noah and repent of their
sin that was bringing the flood waters upon them.
 We find God’s mercy being displayed on the one
family who followed and obeyed what God had
commanded.
 OutlineOutline

24. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 Please read Genesis 18:20–33. In this section,
the Lord revealed to Abraham that Sodom and
Gomorrah has sinned exceedingly.
 Their wickedness was not entirely revealed
(Ezekiel 16:49) but we do know of their acts of
sodomy (later in the chapter) had overtaken
them in their actions, enough to rape.
 OutlineOutline

25. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 Abraham asked if God would sweep away the
righteous with the wicked. He asked the Lord if
there were 50 righteous, would the Lord spare
it; He said yes.
 All the way down to if there were 10 righteous,
would the Lord spare it; He said yes.
 Lot and his family numbered less than 10 in
Sodom and Gomorrah (Lot, his wife, his two
daughters, his two sons-in-law, and two angels
only made 8, the same as the Flood).
 OutlineOutline

26. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 Yet, God provided a means of salvation for
them. The angels came and helped them get to
safety.
 Were there children in Sodom and Gomorrah?
 The Bible doesn’t reveal any, and homosexual
behaviour was rampant, so there may not have
been any children. Since God made it clear
that not even 10 people were righteous in the
city, then even the children (if any) were being
extremely sinful.
 OutlineOutline

27. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 I hope this helps explain that God acts justly,
punishing those whose crimes reach a point
that it is time to act.
 Interestingly enough, people who say God is
cruel want justice when they are wronged, e.g.,
if someone steals from them, attacks them, and
so on. So they really have a double standard.
 OutlineOutline

28. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 I hope this helps explain that God acts justly,
punishing those whose crimes reach a point
that it is time to act.
 Interestingly enough, people who say God is
cruel want justice when they are wronged, e.g.,
if someone steals from them, attacks them, and
so on. So they really have a double standard.
 OutlineOutline

29. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 God is the same God of the Old Testament and
New Testament.
 In both cases, people have/had the opportunity to
get back to a right relationship with Him.
 In both cases, God judges sin (2 Peter 3:5–7).
Mercy and patience were to be found through
God’s vessels Noah, with his preaching for years,
and Abraham, with his pleading for Sodom and
Gomorrah (even Lot urged the people not to be so
wicked
 OutlineOutline

30. Sodom andSodom and
GomorahGomorah
 Just as mercy and patience are still available
today (2 Peter 3:9).
 And He has provided a means of salvation in
Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18), as the Ark was
with the Flood and the angels were in urging
Lot and his family to flee Sodom and
Gomorrah.
 No one can blame God for not providing a
merciful alternative or call Him evil for providing
justice against sin.
 OutlineOutline

31. The CommonThe Common
FeaturesFeatures
Judgement
(agent)
Time to
repent
God’s
witness
Salvation
through faith
Flood
Genesis 6:5-7(the
Flood)
While the ark
was being built
(1 Peter 3:20)
Noah
Noah and family
built and entered
the ark (Genesis
6:9; 7:8)
Sodom &
Gomorrah
Genesis 18:20-
21 (fire from heaven)
Abraham pleads
with God
(Genesis 18)
Righteous Lot
(2 Peter 2:7)
and Abraham
Lot and family fled
Sodom (Genesis
19:12-13)
Egyptian
firstborn
Exodus 12:12(angel)
Previous
plagues, Moses
speaking to
Pharaoh
(Exodus 7-10)
Moses and
Aaron
Israelites marked
by the lamb’s
blood (Exodus
12:12-13)

32. The CommonThe Common
FeaturesFeatures
Judgement
(agent)
Time to repent
God’s
witness
Salvation
through faith
Canaanites
Deuteronomy 9:4-
6, 18:12;Leviticus
18:24-25 (Israelite
armies under
Joshua)
Israel’s 40 years
in the desert
(news reached
Canaanites –
Joshua 2:10)
Israel led by
Moses and
Joshua
Rahab and family –
she tied a scarlet
thread outside
window (Joshua 2)
Amalekites
1 Samuel 15:2-
3 (Saul’s armies)
c.350 years
since their sin
against Israel
(Exodus 17)
Nation of
Israel
NONE RE
Non Christians John 1:12-13
From Christ's
Crucifixion till
now
Lord Jesus Christians

33. The CommonThe Common
FeaturesFeatures
1.1. Divine judgementDivine judgement – they are all judgements of God – they are all judgements of God
against extreme sin.against extreme sin.
2.2. Time to repentTime to repent – they are all preceded by long periods – they are all preceded by long periods
of opportunity to repent.of opportunity to repent.
3.3. Witness to GodWitness to God – during the time of opportunity there – during the time of opportunity there
was knowledge available to the people that enabled themwas knowledge available to the people that enabled them
to know about God.to know about God.
4.4. Salvation through faithSalvation through faith – people who had faith in God – people who had faith in God
and were innocent before Him were always provided withand were innocent before Him were always provided with
a means of salvation. Their families were saved with thema means of salvation. Their families were saved with them
just as the children of those who were judged died withjust as the children of those who were judged died with
them. Someone is saved in each case except (apparently)them. Someone is saved in each case except (apparently)
the Amalekites.the Amalekites.

34. The Common FeaturesThe Common Features
Applied to the NewApplied to the New
TestamentTestament God will judge fairlyGod will judge fairly – once again God initiates the– once again God initiates the
judgement, but in this case the outcome will be more thanjudgement, but in this case the outcome will be more than
physical death. The consequences will be either eternalphysical death. The consequences will be either eternal
punishment or eternal blessing (Revelation 20:11-15).punishment or eternal blessing (Revelation 20:11-15).
 Time to repentTime to repent – God is now patiently waiting, giving– God is now patiently waiting, giving
people an opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9). When Christpeople an opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9). When Christ
returns, God’s judgement will come and no one will be able toreturns, God’s judgement will come and no one will be able to
escape from it.escape from it.
 God’s witnessGod’s witness – Christians are present now in the world as– Christians are present now in the world as
witnesses to God’s truth and love (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).witnesses to God’s truth and love (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
 Salvation through faithSalvation through faith – There is salvation for any who– There is salvation for any who
will repent and trust in Christ for salvation (Acts 2:21).will repent and trust in Christ for salvation (Acts 2:21).

35. To Illustrate that GodTo Illustrate that God
was at warwas at war

36. Appendices andAppendices and
SourcesSources
 https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/god-is-good/the-harsh-god-of-the-old-testahttps://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/god-is-good/the-harsh-god-of-the-old-testa
 http://www.gotquestions.org/God-different.htmlhttp://www.gotquestions.org/God-different.html
 http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-was-god-so-harsh-in-the-old-testament-http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-was-god-so-harsh-in-the-old-testament-
 https://carm.org/god-of-old-testament-a-monsterhttps://carm.org/god-of-old-testament-a-monster
 http://family.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26262/~/the-god-of-the-http://family.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26262/~/the-god-of-the-
old-testament-vs.-the-god-of-newold-testament-vs.-the-god-of-new
 http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/holy-trinity/is-the-god-of-the-old-http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/holy-trinity/is-the-god-of-the-old-
testament-different-than-the-new-testament-one.htmltestament-different-than-the-new-testament-one.html
 http://www.roomfordoubt.com/examine/2/Questions-of-Faith/64/The-God-of-http://www.roomfordoubt.com/examine/2/Questions-of-Faith/64/The-God-of-
the-Old-Testament-vs.-the-God-of-the-New-Testamentthe-Old-Testament-vs.-the-God-of-the-New-Testament
 http://www.bethinking.org/bible/old-testament-mass-killingshttp://www.bethinking.org/bible/old-testament-mass-killings
 https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy/do-sons-bear-sins-https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy/do-sons-bear-sins-
fathers-or-notfathers-or-not
 http://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/christ-was-the-god-of-the-old-http://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/christ-was-the-god-of-the-old-
testament/testament/