In today’s world, it’s common to encounter debates about the Bible, particularly when it comes to the Old Testament. Skeptics, critics, and even some believers struggle with the seemingly harsh laws and practices found in the early books of scripture. We often hear accusations that God is cruel or that the Bible endorses oppressive practices, but these interpretations come from reading Old Testament laws out of context. When we read the Bible without understanding the historical, cultural, and spiritual framework in which it was written, we risk drawing the wrong conclusions about God’s character and intentions.

The Old Testament, especially the first five books, outlines many laws that God gave to the Israelites in order to shape their community and draw them closer to His holiness. These laws often regulated practices that were common in the ancient world, but they were not meant to reflect God’s eternal will for all people in all times. Instead, they were given to manage and restrain the sinful human behaviors that already existed within a fallen culture. When viewed through the lens of Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, we can see that God’s ultimate will is one of love, mercy, and justice, far beyond the temporary regulations found in the Old Testament.

Let’s examine five examples of difficult Old Testament laws and see how they fit into the broader context of human culture at the time, and God’s long-term plan for redemption.

Stoning a Rebellious Child (Leviticus 20:9, Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

One of the most challenging verses in the Old Testament comes from Leviticus 20:9, where it is written, “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the law goes even further, prescribing stoning for a son who is stubborn and rebellious. At first glance, this seems brutal and extreme. However, these laws were given in a very different cultural context, one in which family order and respect for authority were essential for the survival of the community.

In ancient Israel, the family unit was central to both religious and social life. Disrespecting parents wasn’t just a private matter—it was viewed as an attack on the stability of society as a whole. However, this law wasn’t applied lightly. It was meant to address the most extreme cases of rebellion that threatened the entire community, not mere acts of disobedience. God’s desire for families is clear in both the Old and New Testaments: He wants children to honor their parents, and He wants parents to nurture their children in love and righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles shift the focus away from harsh penalties toward forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation. For instance, in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus paints a picture of a father’s loving embrace of a rebellious child, highlighting God’s grace and willingness to forgive rather than punish.

Marrying a Woman After Raping Her (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)

Another troubling passage is found in Deuteronomy 22:28-29, which seems to suggest that a man who rapes a woman must marry her. This passage is often misunderstood, leading to accusations that the Bible condones rape. But a closer look at the historical context reveals a different picture. In ancient Israel, women were economically and socially dependent on their families or husbands. A woman who had been sexually violated was often seen as unmarriageable and would have been left without support.

This law was not an endorsement of rape, but rather a way to provide protection for the victim in a society that did not offer her many options. The man was required to marry the woman and could never divorce her, meaning he was legally bound to provide for her for the rest of her life. While this seems far from ideal to modern readers, it was an attempt to ensure the woman was not left destitute. God’s ultimate will, as revealed through Christ, is that relationships be built on mutual love, respect, and dignity. The idea of forced marriage has no place in the kingdom of God.

Selling a Daughter into Slavery (Exodus 21:7-11)

In Exodus 21:7-11, we read about a father selling his daughter into servitude, which can seem incredibly harsh to modern readers. But again, this law must be understood within its ancient cultural context. In ancient Israel, poverty often led to families making difficult decisions, including selling a daughter into servitude. This was not an act of cruelty but often a way to ensure the daughter’s survival in a society where social and economic mobility for women was extremely limited.

The law provided some protections for the woman, ensuring that if she was mistreated, she could be redeemed or released. Still, this regulation reflects the brokenness of human society, not God’s ideal for how people should treat one another. Throughout the Bible, God expresses His concern for the vulnerable, including women, and calls for justice and compassion. In the New Testament, we see the fullness of God’s heart for humanity, where there is “neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). God’s ultimate will is for dignity and equality for all people.

Owning Foreign Slaves (Leviticus 25:44-46)

Leviticus 25:44-46 outlines the rules for owning slaves from foreign nations, a practice that is particularly difficult to reconcile with the message of justice and equality we see throughout the Bible. However, slavery was a common practice in the ancient world, and the laws in the Old Testament often served to regulate the institution, not to endorse it. The laws were given to limit abuses and to provide some measure of protection for slaves, but this does not mean God approved of slavery as a permanent part of human society.

In the New Testament, we see a radical transformation in how Christians are to view others, including slaves. Paul, in his letter to Philemon, urges a slave owner to receive his escaped slave back not as property but as a brother in Christ. The gospel message is one of liberation and equality for all people. While the Old Testament laws on slavery regulated an existing institution, God’s ultimate will, as revealed through Jesus, is that all people be treated with dignity, love, and respect.

Stoning a Rebellious Son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the law prescribes stoning for a son who is persistently rebellious. Like the earlier law regarding stoning a child for cursing their parents, this law reflects the importance of family order and the seriousness with which rebellion was viewed in ancient Israel. It’s essential to understand that this law was part of a larger system of justice that was designed for a specific time and place. The penalty was intended to maintain the stability of the community, but it does not represent God’s ultimate will for how families should function.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches a different way of dealing with conflict within families. Rather than punishment, He emphasizes forgiveness, grace, and restoration. The parable of the prodigal son, for example, highlights the father’s unconditional love for his wayward child, showing us that God’s heart is always for reconciliation, not retribution.

God’s Will vs. Human Culture

When we read these difficult passages in the Old Testament, it’s important to remember that God was working within the context of human culture at the time. The laws given to Israel were often intended to mitigate human sinfulness and provide order in a broken world. They were not endorsements of the practices themselves but were temporary measures to guide a fallen people.

God’s ultimate will, as revealed through Jesus, is far different from the harsh regulations of the Old Testament. The gospel is a message of love, grace, and justice, where people are valued not for their social standing or gender, but as children of God. As we read the Bible, it’s essential to understand the difference between God’s eternal moral will and the temporary regulations that were given to manage human culture in the ancient world. By reading scripture in context, we can see the progression of God’s plan for redemption, moving from regulation to liberation through Christ.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39