I had an English teacher in high school that fell prey to bad theology. She made the statement that the Old Testament God is a God of wrath and severity, whereas the God of the New Testament is gentle and gracious. I must admit that at times the description of the "Old Testament God" sounds accurate.
In Exodus 19 and 20 we see God showing up in a thunderstorm full of lightning and thunder so powerful it made the mountain quake. God gives out strict guidelines on how the people are to purify themselves before His presence is revealed in a thick cloud on the mountain. They are given detailed instructions through the ten commandments on how to live with both God and each other. Chapter 20 concludes with God's instructions on how they are to sacrifice to Him. God almost seems…well…bossy.
In chapter 19 versus 4 and 5 “Old Testament” God reveals his method of operation--He does something for us, he makes an offer of covenant relationship with an obedience clause built in, and extends a promise of further blessings. In Acts chapter 2 Peter reminds the people of God's action for them through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. “New Testament” God extends an offer of covenant relationship through our obedience in repentance, water baptism, and the infilling of His Spirit, with the promise of future blessings to our children and even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Two things happen upon our acceptance of His offers. One--we will receive a blessing beyond our ability to obtain in and of ourselves. Two--God accepts the responsibility of making sure we receive the blessing we agreed to wanting. What kind of God says, "If you will follow me I will bless you mightily" then leaves it up to our feeble grasp to hold on to the blessing He promised to give.
The truth is there is only one God in the Bible and it is not our hold on God that brings us blessings, but rather His hold on us. That is why we can maintain our faith in the midst of great trials and struggles, because we know God has not left it up to us, but He has taken the burden of our salvation in His own hands--literally.
