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Is it true that people living in "the Old Testament" period were saved by faith in a coming Messiah?
When it comes to inspire and uplift, faith in a coming Messiah can be a powerful tool. The only problem with
the idea of Old Testament people being saved by "looking forward to the Messiah" is that it seems to be sort
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of "disconnected" from Bible's own narrative.
In other words, Hebrew Bible doesn't record even one single instance where any person [whether he be
Hebrew or Gentile] was ever condemned by God for the sin of refusing to believe in a coming Messiah. Yet,
Hebrew Scripture provides numerous examples of specific people being punished for refusing to obey God's
commandments [as well as people being rewarded for their obedience to them].
Of course, we recognize that at the end of the day, "the tree can be known by it's fruit". So, if your individual
theology concerning Jesus of Nazareth [peace and blessings be upon him] brings you peace and deliverance,
it would be wise for you to hold fast to it. As for ourselves, we can't find inner peace following any sort of
theology that would leave us feeling as if we are not being completely honest with ourselves (with that which
we sincerely believe to be Divine and objective truth), thereby making us liable for violating the Divine
command that forbids us from bearing a false witness.
As is written, "Keep thee far from a false matter..."- Exodus 23:7, King James Bible. And also says, "These
are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your city
gates"- Zechariah 8:16 (Christian Standard Bible).
Moral Perfection? We are not expected to reach the destination, but rather to do the journey
The God of the Hebrews expects His people to walk towards the moral perfection outlined by His
commandments; those written by Him upon the two stone tablets (don't worship other gods, don't make
images of God, don't bear false witness, keep the Sabbath rest, don't steal, don't murder, honor your parents,
don't covet, etc). But the commandments are just “the horizon”; they are not the destination! In other words,
God will hold us accountable for avoiding the Journey towards moral perfection [and not for being unable to
attain such perfection!].
That's why, as we embark in the journey, we often find that the Creator effectively limits the amount of good
we are allowed to perform (by not giving us the required health, wisdom, courage, or resources to achieve it).
And from whence do we know that Scripture validates this truth? We know it from the story of King David,
who wanted to do the great good implied in building a house of praise and worship for the Creator. But, in
the end, God himself prevented him from doing the good he wanted. As it is written: «Then David the king
stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I HAD IN MINE HEART
TO BUILD AN HOUSE OF REST FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD, AND FOR THE
FOOTSTOOL OF OUR GOD, AND HAD MADE READY FOR THE BUILDING: BUT GOD SAID
UNTO ME, “THOU SHALT NOT BUILD AN HOUSE FOR MY NAME, because thou hast been a man of
war, and hast shed blood”»- 1 Chronicles 28:2-4 (King James Bible).
And the same is taught in the story of Jonah- although the sailors tried to do good (by not casting Jonah into
the rough sea waters), God didn't allow it, but rather force them to throw him overboard. As it has been
written: «Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought,
and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, “We beseech thee, O Lord,
we beseech thee, LET US NOT PERISH FOR THIS MAN'S LIFE, AND LAY NOT UPON US INNOCENT
BLOOD: FOR THOU, O LORD, HAST DONE AS IT PLEASED THEE”. SO THEY TOOK UP JONAH,
AND CAST HIM FORTH INTO THE SEA: and the sea ceased from her raging”- Jonah 1:13-15 (King
James Bible).
Thus, the purpose of the many limitations God has imposed upon us is to provide the existential context
required in order for us to understand the extend of God's power and glory; to show us that He isn't limited
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by our weakness and limitations. As it has been written: “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his
armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work
FOR US: FOR THERE IS NO RESTRAINT TO THE LORD TO SAVE BY MANY OR BY FEW”- 1
Samuel 14:6 (King James Bible).
And the fact that God doesn't depend on the strength [nor the perfection] of His people, is further attested in
the verse that goes on to say: “And the Lord said unto Gideon, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITH THEE ARE
TOO MANY FOR ME TO GIVE THE MIDIANITES INTO THEIR HANDS, LEST ISRAEL VAUNT
THEMSELVES AGAINST ME, SAYING, MINE OWN HAND HATH SAVED ME”- Judges 7:2 (King
James Bible).
«Be just, be merciful, be humble, be honest, and be kind… That’s all the religion God really requires from
you… The rest, is just private commentary. Now that you know what God truly demands, you can go in
peace, and study the commentary...”»
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