faith vs. obedience in the Old Testament?

Question

The Old Testament focuses so much on Israel’s
obedience to the Law, yet Christians state that, even back then, salvation
was through faith, not obedience. So how does salvation comesthrough
faith, not obedience, in the Old Testament? Include any scripture if you have proof of your answer

Answer 1

Judaism teaches that the purpose of the Torah is to teach us how to act correctly. God's existence is a given in Judaism, and not something that most authorities see as a matter of required belief. Although some authorities see the Torah as commanding Jews to believe in God, Jews see belief in God as a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for a Jewish life. The quintessential verbal expression of Judaism is the Shema Yisrael, the statement that the God of the Bible is their God, and that this God is unique and one. The quintessential physical expression of Judaism is behaving in accordance with the 613 Mitzvot (the commandments specified in the Torah), and thus live one's life in God's ways.
Thus fundamentally in Judaism, one is enjoined to bring holiness into life (with the guidance of Gods laws), rather than removing oneself from life to be holy.
Much of Christianity also teaches that God wants people to perform good works, but all branches hold that good works alone will not lead to salvation, which is called Legalism. Some Christian denominations hold that salvation depends upon transformational faith in Jesus which expresses itself in good works as a testament (or witness) to ones faith for others to see (primarily Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism), while others (including most Protestants) hold that faith alone is necessary for salvation. However, the difference is not as great as it seems, because it really hinges on the definition of "faith" used. The first group generally uses the term "faith" to mean "intellectual and heartfelt assent and submission."
Such a faith will not be salvific until a person has allowed it to effect a life transforming conversion (turning towards God) in their being The Christians that hold to "salvation by faith alone" (also called by its Latin name "sola fide") define faith as being implicitly ontological--mere intellectual assent is not termed "faith" by these groups. Faith, then, is life-transforming by definition.

Answer 2

The following explanation is from the Zohar, so I will not give direct quotes or references.

The fundamental issue here is the reason for our existence in this world. For this, we need to look at the makeup of the soul.

The soul is divided into three parts. The lowest part, and the only part that is possessed by animals, is the animating spirit. This part is directly attached to the body and dies with the body. The next part is the "me", the intellect, your personality- and is a mix of the animating spirit (mundane) and the holy (from the third part)- this is the part that is judged after death. The third part is the Holy Spark from God which is sent down to this world to grow spiritually so it can come closer to the pure essence of God in the world to come (there can be no spiritual growth in the world to come since essentially free will ceases to exist there as the presence of God is so obvious and so overwhelming as to deny the opportunity to ignore it or disobey it.)

The purpose of the law is to elevate the mundane (body/animating spirit) to the holy- thus Kashrut changes eating from mundane to holy, marriage does the same for sex etc. But empty actions are meaningless. Throughout the Tanach (what you refer to as the Old Testament), the prophets berate Bnei Yisrael for making sacrifices without meaning behind them- showing that intention is more important than empty actions. Similarly, we see in the case of the sin offering for the ordinary person who cannot afford it that substitutes can be brought for the mandated female lamb. If the female lamb cannot be afforded, then a dove or pigeon can be brought. If a dove or pigeon cannot be afforded, then an orlah offering (a mix of flour and oil) can be brought. if the person cannot even afford an orlah offering then NOTHING needs to be brought- the issue here is that the intention, to repent and not repeat the offense is the important factor- not the offering. (Talmud: Masechta Chagigah, Rambam, HIlchos Teshuvah)

So, what it comes down to in Judaism is that the law is needed to guide our actions to bring us to holiness. But, without the faith and correct intention those actions are meaningless, but faith and intention will fail without the law as we will not be doing the correct actions to guide them! Thus both work together to elevate us and cannot be seperated.

However, ther eis a fundamental difference between Judaism and Christianity as relates to the concept of "salvation". In Judaism, there is no such concept. we are born innocent and can only sin on our own account and once we are knowledgeable enough and have sufficient understanding to be held accountable- thus no one needs to be saved, but we do need to recognise when we go wrong and repent.

Answer 3

It's difficult to entirely separate obedience from faith. The OT centered around obedience to God's Word. The NT centers around faith. It's not a question of either-or but actually of both.

Answer 4

True faith brings obedience.

1 John 5:3, 3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome,


James says faith alone won't save us either.

Paul also said faith and obedience are required.

(2 Thessalonians 1:8) 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.

Faith without love is valueless. 1 Cor 13:1-3.

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Answer 5

Read the 51st chapter of Psalms. David knew that salvation was through faith and not works.

Answer 6

King David lived in the Old Testament, and God calls him "a man after My own heart". So we can be sure David was saved.

But King David lived under the Law back then. Did David manage to obey the Law fully? No - he committed adultery with Bathsheba, as well as planned the murder of her husband. How then was David saved? David pleaded for mercy, and the Lord showed him mercy.

How about Moses? John 1 says "the law was given by Moses", right? Because God gave the ten commandments to Moses to give to the children of Israel who boasted they could do all that He commanded. But later in the wilderness when the people complained about lack of water, and the Lord commanded Moses to speak to the rock, Moses disobeyed and struck the rock instead, and scolded the people. As a result, the Lord did not allow Moses to enter the promised land because he did not hallow the Lord before them. But we know Moses was saved by faith (Hebrews 11).

So, we learn that the law condemns the best of us, but grace saves the worst of us. For "grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1). The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy that he was the worst sinner before he was saved, because he had persecuted the church. When we truly understand the grace of God, we will realise it's all of Jesus, and none of us.

Finally, let's look at Abraham who lived before the Law or ten commandments was given. We know from Hebrews 11 that Abraham was saved. Now, can we say Abraham obeyed the Law to be saved? No, because he lived before the Law. How was he saved then? He was saved by believing in God. It's called the "obedience to the faith" (Romans 1:5; 16:26)

"What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say?
'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'
Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness."
(Romans 4:1-5)

Answer 7

Both, St. James said that people needed both faith and works. You'll need to look it up because I can't remember the exact wording.

Answer 8

We are what we DO, not what we THINK we are!
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Answer 9

Please read Hebrews chapter 11