Comment on The Bible teaches a temporary spiritual hardening of Israel by sacredcow

Parent Post: The Bible teaches a temporary spiritual hardening of Israel · In Reply To

sacredcow · 2/20/2026, 12:47:22 PM · permalink

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sonatime · 2/20/2026, 3:48:52 PM · permalink

I have made these points in greater detail here: https://soj.ooo/p/freethinkers/post/c5b1d57a490cd42717c5481a1b0e2ca1/comment/117014 , followed by a less condensed version.  
  
  
The main theme of the Old Testament is God's plan to reconcile humanity to Himself by dealing with our sins through the arrival and death of the Messiah.  
  
This "gospel" (good news) is proclaimed right from the beginning in Genesis 3:15:  
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  
  
The central theme running through the entire Old Testament is the foreshadowing of this event. Depending on how detailed the count is, scholars identify hundreds of messianic prophecies, often over 300, that point to the Messiah. For example, Daniel 9:24-27 provides a specific timeline for the Messiah's public revelation and his death.  
  
A major part of this foreshadowing is the sacrificial system under the Law (given to Israel through Moses). In the Old Testament, people offered animal sacrifices, lambs, goats, bulls, and more, to atone for sins. Because sin brings death and separation from God, and “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22, reflecting Leviticus). These sacrifices were temporary: they covered sin for a time but had to be repeated year after year, because the blood of bulls and goats could never fully remove sins or change hearts (Hebrews 10:1-4).  
  
Jesus changes everything. He fulfills those messianic prophecies and the very purpose of the Law. In Matthew 5:17, He says:  
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”  
  
He perfectly obeyed the Law, lived it out completely, and then offered Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice.Hebrews explains this clearly:  Hebrews 10:10-12: “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... But this one \[Jesus\] offered one sacrifice for sins forever.”    
Hebrews 10:18: “Where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”  
  
So the animal sacrifices were like shadows pointing forward to the real thing—Jesus as the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29). Once He died and rose again, the need for the old system ended because the problem of sin was fully and forever dealt with. The Law's purpose—to reveal sin, guide people toward God, and foreshadow the Messiah—was completed in Him.That's why the New Testament focuses on faith in what Jesus has already done, rather than ongoing animal offerings.  
The Old Testament sets the stage; the New Testament reveals the fulfillment in Jesus.

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sacredcow · 2/20/2026, 9:37:46 PM · permalink

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sonatime · 2/20/2026, 11:22:06 PM · permalink

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sacredcow · 2/21/2026, 1:04:00 PM · permalink

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sonatime · 2/22/2026, 12:22:19 PM · permalink

I am trying to keep things on topic but I feel this point is mostly lost on the entitled human logic.  
  
God's sovereignty means He doesn't owe us explanations for His choices.  
  
Job: God responds to Job's "why me?" suffering not with reasons, but with overwhelming questions about creation (Job 38–41), showing His infinite wisdom/power far exceeds human understanding. Job humbly repents: "I spoke of things I did not understand" (Job 42:3).  
  
Romans 9: Paul defends God's right to choose whom He shows mercy to, using the potter-clay analogy: "Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? ... Has the potter no right over the clay?" (Romans 9:20–21). God has mercy on whom He wills, no human demand for justification required.  
  
Isaiah 55:8–9: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways."  
  
  
Fate of those who've never heard the gospel:  
God judges justly based on what people have received. Jesus summarizes the whole Law and Prophets in two commands: Love God fully (heart, soul, mind) and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40). Everything hangs on this relational love.  
  
Paul in Romans 2:12–16 explains God's impartial judgment: Gentiles without the written Law still "by nature" do what the law requires at times, showing "the work of the law is written on their hearts," with conscience bearing witness, accusing or excusing them on judgment day (v. 15–16). This points to general revelation (creation in Romans 1:18–20 reveals God's existence/power, leaving people without excuse) plus an innate moral awareness.  
  
If the Law's essence is love for God/neighbor (Matthew 22), then the "law on hearts" (Romans 2) includes an internal pull toward that love, even in remote cultures. Someone might respond positively: awe (not worship of creation) at creation and compassion toward others. Their conscience could "excuse" rather than accuse - Romans 2.  
  
This isn't salvation by works - Paul rejects that in Ephesians 2:8–9. It's judgment according to available light, God overlooks times of ignorance but calls all to repent through Christ (Acts 17:30). True response to this heart-law (love) would lead toward faith in the true God when fuller revelation comes. Ultimately, salvation is through Christ alone, but God is just and merciful in how He judges every heart.  
  
Before Christ, general revelation (creation/conscience) made people accountable but couldn't save. Jesus' sacrifice provides the actual atonement and new life; His resurrection seals it and promises bodily resurrection for everyone - turning judgment into hope for those who respond in faith.  
  
All I can say is, I really hope you'll take a moment to read the verses I referenced. I didn't quote them all here to keep things concise, but everything is differently when you see the words directly. Ask any questions... as usual:)

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sacredcow · 2/22/2026, 12:56:53 PM · permalink

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sonatime · 2/22/2026, 8:10:22 PM · permalink

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sonatime · 2/21/2026, 7:29:37 PM · permalink

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