There are many others, as well – for example, that whole controversy between law and grace. (Acts 13:39, Rom 3:19-31, 6:14, 7:6, Gal 2:16 ff, 3:24 ff, 5:4 ff, Eph 2:9) Some places in the New Testament seem to imply that the entire Old Testament law has passed away. Christians are now freed from the law and justified solely by faith. After all, the Old Testament law was just a “shadow of things to come.” (Heb 10:1) God is writing a new covenant on our hearts. “When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” (Heb 8:13 ff) It seems quite clear that God has ditched the Old Testament as a bad job, and started over with the New.

Then Jesus messes it up by claiming that, “…until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the [Old Testament] Law [Torah] until all is accomplished.” (Matt 5:18) What is going on here? Has God changed His mind or what?

I do not believe in a god who contradicts himself or gives up and starts over. The problem is not the Scriptures. I firmly believe that God inspired them, and He does not make mistakes. The problem is in our understanding. We have inherited lies about the Scriptures. Our minds are clouded, darkened as with a veil. Quoting Isaiah, Jesus admitted that God “…blinded their eyes, and He hardened their hearts, lest they see with their eyes and perceive with their hearts and be converted, and I heal them.” (Jn 12:40)

But all is not lost. Also from Isaiah is this wondrous prophecy.

“…YHWH of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples on this mountain… and on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all the nations [Gentiles, pagans, heathen]. He will swallow up death for all time, and Adonai YHWH will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for YHWH has spoken. And it will be said in that day, ‘Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is YHWH for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.’” (Isa 25:6-9)

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