Transition from Law to Grace in the Old Testament
The transition from Law to Grace in the Old Testament is understood as a progression within God's redemptive plan, culminating in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. While the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth were fully realized through Jesus Christ [2]. This does not mean that grace was absent in the Old Testament, but rather that its manifestation and understanding developed over time.
Grace, in its broadest sense, refers to favor, kindness, or friendship [3]. In the Old Testament, God's grace is evident in various ways. For instance, Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8), indicating divine favor despite human sinfulness. Similarly, Jacob appeals to Esau for grace, saying, "Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently... until I come to my lord to Seir" (Genesis 33:14). This demonstrates a plea for unmerited kindness.
The concept of "election of grace" is also present, where God chooses individuals or nations for special purposes or privileges, such as Abraham, Jacob, or the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 9:4) [4]. This election is grounded in God's good pleasure rather than human merit (Ephesians 1:5, 11) [4].
The Law, given at Sinai, served to reveal sin and establish a covenant of works [1]. However, even under the Law, God's mercy and forgiveness were available to those who repented. Ezekiel 18:21, for example, states that if a wicked person turns from their sins and obeys God's statutes, "he shall surely live," indicating that God allures people to repentance with hope [7]. The gospel, which exhibits the grace of God, was preached even under the Old Testament [6].
The New Testament distinguishes the "new covenant" of grace from the "old broken covenant of works" [1]. This new covenant is described as "ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent," dispensed in a "more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner" under the gospel [1]. John 1:17 explicitly contrasts the Law given through Moses with the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ [2]. This does not imply that the Old Testament was devoid of grace, but rather that the full revelation and efficacy of grace are found in Christ [5]. Believers are delivered from the Law as a covenant of works and its condemnation through Christ, though not from obedience to it as guided by the Spirit [8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
- John “For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. -- John 1:17”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 18:21: Two last cases, showing the equity of God: (1) The penitent sinner is dealt with according to his new obedience, not according to his former sins. (2) The righteous man who turns from righteousness to sin shall be punished for the latter, and his former righteousness will be of no avail to him. he shall surely live--Despair drives men into hardened recklessness; God therefore allures men to repentance by holding out hope [CALVIN]. To threats the stubborn sinner oft is hard, Wrapt in his crimes, against the storm prepared, But when the milder b”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 7:6: But now we are delivered from the law,.... From the ministration of it, by Moses; from it, as a covenant of works; from its rigorous exaction; from its curse and condemnation, all this by Christ; and from its being an irritating, provoking law to sin, through the corruption of nature, by the Spirit and grace of Christ; but not from obedience to it, as in the hands of Christ. The Vulgate Latin version, and some copies read, "from the law of death"; and the Ethiopic version renders it, "we are loosed from the law, and are delivered from the former doctrine"; the doctrine”