The secret things belong to the Lord, and the people were not responsible for what they didn’t know. Just as He revealed the provisions of the Covenant in a series of revelations, He reveals to us as we are able to deal with the revelation. Once He reveals to us, we are responsible for the new understanding we have, to act on it as He leads and to live by it. We are responsible to do what we know to do, but only that. Isn’t God good to hold us accountable only for the known? Think about what that looks like in the body of Christ.
God made the covenant with the nation of Israel, but He was making it with individuals. God is a personal God, and sought personal relationship with His Old Testament people, as He does with His New Testament people.
History has revealed God’s compassion on His Old Testament people, as He has restored their Promised Land to them by great miracles, and people from all over the world have migrated there. Although they haven’t seemingly returned to relationship with God, He has shown compassion in their scattered and persecuted state. His dealing with His Old Testament people reveals Him to be a compassionate God. We are told not to test God; we cannot presume upon His compassion; however, we New Testament people can certainly appeal to His compassion revealed in His dealings with His Old Testament people as we seek relationship with Him and pray for others.
The Israelites would not be faithful in their relationships with God without a transformation of their hearts. The transformation would cause them to love Him so much that they would obey His commands. Seeing how unfaithful, how stubborn the Old Covenant people were, we understand what a miraculous transformation that would be. That is what Messiah has done in us! Think about that, and give thanks and praise to God today for that miraculous and amazing work done in you. If you don’t see evidence of that work done in you, I encourage you to talk to God about it today. If you need guidance in this matter you are welcome to contact me. But please don’t do nothing in response to the reality of transformation.