Another question at the risk of sounding terrible but I’m currently trying to read the OT (after a few failures) and the God of the OT seems so mean and vengeful. I mean the Plague of the firstborn and other things. Why?
Hi
Hope 1960,
May I suggest you read the OT with Hebrews 6:1-2 in mind. There are six blocks in the foundation of Biblical Teaching, all present in the Old Testament, to be built upon in the New Testament.
(Click on diagram below)
The bondage of God's People to Egypt is a "type" of the bondage of sinners to the world, and the story of conflict and competition between Moses who wants to lead God's People to liberty and Pharoah who wants to keep them enslaved, parallels Christ setting sinners free and Satan's attempts to keep them in bondage to sin.
The 10 plagues speak of the fullness of God's Judgment, the fullness and fulfillment of His Divine Prerogative to judge sin and punish sinners. It seems brutal in natural terms but in spiritual terms it is actually proof of God's righteousness and uncompromising holiness.
There is no better foundation is upon which to base the teaching of eternal values.