God in the Old Testament vs. God in the New Testament: One God, Fully Revealed
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8
🌿 Introduction: Is God Different in the Old and New Testaments?
Have you ever wondered why God seems so different between the Old and New Testaments?
In the Old, He judges nations and issues strict laws.
In the New, Jesus preaches grace, mercy, and love.
Did God change? The answer is no.
God’s nature never changes — only the way He reveals Himself does.
From Genesis to Revelation, God is the same: holy, just, merciful, gracious, and faithful.
“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” — Malachi 3:6
Let’s explore His attributes across both Testaments — and see how they reveal one unchanging, perfect God.
✨ 1. God’s Holiness
Definition: God is perfectly pure, set apart, and morally flawless.
Old Testament
- Isaiah 6:3 — The seraphim cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.”
- Exodus 3:5–6 — God tells Moses, “Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy ground.”
- Leviticus 11:44 — “Be holy, because I am holy.”
➡️ God’s holiness demanded separation from sin, shown through temple worship and sacrifice.
New Testament
- 1 Peter 1:15–16 — “Be holy, for I am holy.”
- Luke 1:49 — “Holy is His name.”
- Revelation 4:8 — Heavenly creatures still cry, “Holy, holy, holy.”
➡️ Through Christ, believers are made holy by the indwelling Spirit (Hebrews 10:10).
⚖️ 2. God’s Justice and Righteousness
Definition: God always does what is right and fair. He cannot ignore sin.
Old Testament
- Genesis 18:25 — Abraham declares, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
- Deuteronomy 32:4 — “All His ways are justice.”
- The Flood (Genesis 6–9) — God judges wickedness but spares Noah.
- Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) — God’s justice on evil.
- The Law (Exodus 20) — God’s holiness expressed through commandments.
New Testament
- Acts 5:1–11 — Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit and die — a sobering reminder that God’s justice is still active.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27–30 — In the Corinthian church, some took the Lord’s Supper irreverently. Paul writes that “many are weak and sick, and some have fallen asleep.” God’s discipline preserves the holiness of worship.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 — A church member is disciplined for open sexual immorality. Paul commands the church to remove him for the sake of his soul — and later rejoices when he repents (2 Corinthians 2:6–8).
- Romans 2:6–8 — God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
- Revelation 20:12 — The final judgment before the Great White Throne.
➡️ The same just God who judged sin in the Old Testament still judges sin in the New — but now offers redemption through the cross.
“He is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” — Romans 3:26
💗 3. God’s Love
Definition: God’s unconditional affection and commitment to His creation.
Old Testament
- Deuteronomy 7:7–8 — God chose Israel out of love, not merit.
- Psalm 103:8–11 — “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love.”
- Hosea 11:8–9 — God’s heart breaks over Israel’s rebellion.
New Testament
- John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world…”
- Romans 5:8 — “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- 1 John 4:8 — “God is love.”
➡️ Love that was covenantal in the Old Testament becomes personal and global through Christ.
4. God’s Mercy
Definition: Compassion that spares us from the punishment we deserve.
Old Testament
- Jonah 3:10 — Nineveh repents, and God relents.
- Psalm 103:10 — “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.”
- Nehemiah 9:17 — “You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate.”
New Testament
- Ephesians 2:4–5 — “Because of His great mercy, He made us alive with Christ.”
- Luke 23:43 — Jesus shows mercy to the thief on the cross.
- 1 Timothy 1:16 — Paul receives mercy as an example to others.
➡️ The mercy glimpsed in the prophets becomes embodied in Jesus Christ.
5. God’s Grace
Definition: Undeserved favor and kindness.
Old Testament
- Genesis 6:8 — “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
- Exodus 33:19 — “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.”
- Psalm 84:11 — “The Lord bestows favor and honor.”
New Testament
- John 1:17 — “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
- Ephesians 2:8–9 — Salvation by grace, not works.
- Romans 3:24 — “Justified freely by His grace.”
➡️ Grace didn’t start with Jesus — it was fulfilled in Him.
🔥 6. God’s Wrath
Definition: Righteous anger against sin.
Old Testament
- Numbers 16: The earth swallows Korah’s rebellion.
- 2 Samuel 6:6–7: Uzzah dies for touching the Ark irreverently.
- Nahum 1:2–3: “The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
New Testament
- Romans 1:18 — “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven.”
- John 3:36 — Those who reject the Son remain under God’s wrath.
- Revelation 6:16–17: The “wrath of the Lamb.”
➡️ The cross reveals both wrath and love: God’s justice poured out on Christ so mercy could be offered to us.
🌈 7. God’s Faithfulness
Definition: God always keeps His word.
Old Testament
- Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man that He should lie.”
- Joshua 21:45 — “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises failed.”
- Lamentations 3:22–23 — “Great is Your faithfulness.”
New Testament
- 1 Corinthians 1:9 — “God is faithful, who has called you.”
- Hebrews 10:23 — “He who promised is faithful.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 — “The Lord is faithful and will protect you.”
➡️ The faithful covenant God of Abraham is the faithful Father of believers today.
🔥 8. God’s Sovereignty
Definition: God rules over all things with absolute authority.
Old Testament
- Psalm 115:3 — “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.”
- Daniel 4:35 — “No one can hold back His hand.”
- Job 42:2 — “No purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
New Testament
- Matthew 10:29–31 — Not even a sparrow falls apart from God’s will.
- Ephesians 1:11 — “He works all things according to the purpose of His will.”
- Romans 8:28 — God works all things for good.
➡️ God’s plan unfolds perfectly from creation to redemption.
9. God’s Presence (Immanence)
Definition: God is close and involved with His people.
Old Testament
- Exodus 25:8 — “Let them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them.”
- 1 Kings 8:10–11: His glory fills the Temple.
- Psalm 139:7–10: God’s Spirit is everywhere.
New Testament
- Matthew 1:23 — “Immanuel — God with us.”
- John 14:16–17: The Holy Spirit dwells within believers.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
➡️ The same God who dwelt among Israel now lives within His people through the Spirit.
❤️ 10. God’s Patience
Definition: His willingness to delay judgment to give space for repentance.
Old Testament
- Exodus 34:6 — “Slow to anger, abounding in love.”
- Nehemiah 9:30: “For many years You were patient with them.”
- Jonah 4:2: Jonah admits God is “slow to anger.”
New Testament
- Romans 2:4: “God’s kindness leads you to repentance.”
- 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is patient… not wanting anyone to perish.”
- 1 Timothy 1:16: Paul testifies of Christ’s immense patience toward him.
➡️ God’s patience in both Testaments reveals His heart to save.
11. God’s Wisdom
Definition: Perfect knowledge and judgment in all things.
Old Testament
- Proverbs 3:19: “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.”
- Job 12:13: “To God belong wisdom and power.”
- Isaiah 55:8–9: “My thoughts are not your thoughts.”
New Testament
- Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom of God!”
- 1 Corinthians 1:24: Christ is “the wisdom of God.”
- James 1:5: God gives wisdom generously.
➡️ The wisdom that created the universe also designed salvation.
Summary Table: God’s Attributes Across Testaments
| Attribute | Old Testament Example | New Testament Example |
|---|---|---|
| Holiness | Isaiah 6:3 | 1 Peter 1:16 |
| Justice | Genesis 6–9 | 1 Corinthians 11:27–30 |
| Love | Deut. 7:7–8 | John 3:16 |
| Mercy | Jonah 3:10 | Luke 23:43 |
| Grace | Gen. 6:8 | Ephesians 2:8–9 |
| Wrath | Numbers 16 | Romans 1:18 |
| Faithfulness | Joshua 21:45 | 1 Corinthians 1:9 |
| Sovereignty | Daniel 4:35 | Ephesians 1:11 |
| Presence | Exodus 25:8 | John 14:17 |
| Patience | Exodus 34:6 | 2 Peter 3:9 |
| Wisdom | Proverbs 3:19 | Romans 11:33 |
Practical Application: What This Means for Us
- God’s Holiness calls us to purity (1 Peter 1:15–16).
- God’s Love invites us to rest in His care (Romans 8:38–39).
- God’s Mercy and Grace remind us that forgiveness is always possible (1 John 1:9).
- God’s Justice warns us to take sin seriously (Romans 6:23).
- God’s Faithfulness anchors us in hope (2 Corinthians 1:20).
- God’s Presence assures us we’re never alone (Matthew 28:20).
The God of the Old Testament is the same God who sent His Son — both holy and loving, just and merciful.
🙏 Devotional Reflection
Lord, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You that Your justice protects us, Your mercy saves us, and Your faithfulness sustains us. Teach us to worship You with reverence and love. Let us reflect Your holiness in our words and actions. Amen.
📖 Study Guide for Small Groups or Personal Reflection
- Compare and Contrast:
- Read Exodus 34:6–7 and John 3:16–18. What similarities do you see in how God reveals Himself?
- Justice and Mercy:
- How do the Corinthian examples (1 Corinthians 5; 11:27–30) show that God still disciplines believers in love?
- God’s Presence:
- How is God’s presence different between the Old Testament (temple/tabernacle) and the New (Holy Spirit)?
- Personal Reflection:
- Which attribute of God do you personally relate to or struggle to understand most?
- Application:
- What does living in light of God’s unchanging nature look like for you this week?
Conclusion: The Same God, Fully Revealed
From Genesis to Revelation, God is unchanging — holy, just, merciful, and loving.
The Old Testament foreshadows His plan; the New Testament fulfills it.
His justice shows His holiness, and His mercy reveals His heart.
At the cross, both meet perfectly.
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” — Psalm 85:10
Let’s worship not a God of two testaments, but one eternal God — the Alpha and the Omega — whose love and righteousness endure forever.