Guided by The Gospel – Issue 174 (Questions of Faith: God Doesn’t Change—So Why Did Old Testament Practices?)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the most common theological puzzles is reconciling God’s unchanging nature with the fact that many Old Testament practices—feasts, sacrifices, rituals—are no longer observed by Christians today. Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the Lord do not change,” so why did the customs that God Himself instituted for His people seem to fade away?

The answer lies in understanding the purpose behind these Old Testament practices and how they were fulfilled through Christ.

The feasts, sacrifices, and rituals found in the Old Testament weren’t arbitrary commands. They were deeply symbolic, designed to point God’s people toward His holiness, their need for redemption, and the coming Messiah. For example:

• Sacrifices highlighted the cost of sin and the need for atonement (Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar.”)
• Feasts like Passover commemorated God’s deliverance and foreshadowed Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7 – “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”)
• Ceremonial Laws taught the Israelites about purity and holiness, setting them apart from surrounding nations.

These practices were always meant to be temporary, serving as shadows of a greater reality to come.

Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 5:17, “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.”

Christ’s life, death, and resurrection completed what these rituals foreshadowed:

• The sacrificial system ended because Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10 – “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”)
• Ceremonial laws were fulfilled as Christ made believers spiritually clean, removing the need for ritualistic purity laws.
• Feasts and festivals found their completion in Christ, who embodies their meaning and significance.

While God’s nature hasn’t changed, His covenant with humanity has. We now live under the New Covenant—a relationship based on grace through faith in Jesus, not adherence to ceremonial laws.

• Moral Laws (like the Ten Commandments) remain because they reflect God’s unchanging character.
• Civil and Ceremonial Laws (like dietary restrictions or temple rituals) were specific to Israel and fulfilled in Christ.

Paul addresses this in Colossians 2:16-17: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Practical Takeaway: What Does This Mean for Us?

• God’s consistency is found in His purpose, not His processes. Though the rituals have changed, His desire for relationship and redemption remains constant.
• Our faith rests in Christ’s fulfillment, not outdated rituals. We no longer need to follow Old Testament practices because Jesus completed their purpose.
• We are called to live in freedom, not legalism. While we can appreciate the rich symbolism of Old Testament feasts and rituals, our salvation comes through Christ alone.

Reflection and Challenge - Have you ever felt torn between tradition and grace? Take time to reflect on how Christ has fulfilled the law and what that freedom means for your daily walk with Him. Do you still hold onto rituals that feel more like obligation than relationship?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—share in the comments, or feel free to reach out to me directly if you’d prefer a more private conversation.

With Hope and Faith,

Edward C. Thomas

Guided by The Gospel

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