No, certain Old Testament laws should not be applied to modern life because they were given to Israel under a different economy, but God's moral character remains unchanged.
Les Feldick teaches that the Old Testament laws were given to the nation of Israel under the Law, with temple worship, priesthood, and sacrifices (Clip 6). Since God has now turned to the Gentiles, that economy has passed away (Clip 6). However, the God of the Old Testament is the same God today, and He still hates the same things (Clips 1, 4). Therefore, discernment is needed to distinguish what applied only to Israel from what reveals God's timeless character (Clip 4).
Colossians 2:14 — This verse shows that the ordinances of the law were blotted out, indicating that the legal requirements of the Old Testament are no longer binding on believers.
The Bible indicates that the Old Testament law was given specifically to the nation of Israel. In Romans 3, Paul speaks of righteousness apart from the law being witnessed by the law and the prophets, showing that the Old Testament pointed to a righteousness not based on law (Romans 3:21). The New Testament also says that Christ blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, taking it out of the way (Colossians 2:14). This suggests that the ceremonial and civil laws of Israel are no longer in force. However, the moral nature of God does not change; what He hated in the Old Testament, He still hates today (Malachi 3:6).
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Old Testament was given predominantly under the economy of law to the nation of Israel, with all its temple worship, priesthood, and sacrifices (Clip 6). Now that God has turned to the Gentiles, that economy has slipped off the scene, and something totally different has come in (Clip 6). He stresses that we are not under law but under grace, yet the God of the Old Testament is the same God we deal with today, and He has not changed (Clip 1). Therefore, while we should not impose Jewish laws on modern believers, we must still recognize that God hates the same moral sins today (Clips 1, 4). Les also warns against misusing Scripture by taking portions out of context, as seen in his example of stopping mid-verse (Clip 0). He advocates using all of Scripture, as it all dovetails together (Clip 3).
Les Feldick illustrates the danger of cherry-picking verses by describing a preacher who stopped at verse 16 because he didn't agree with the next part. Les argues that if you can't use all of a verse or chapter, you should leave it alone, because splitting it leads to trouble (Clip 0).
No. Les Feldick says we must use all the Scriptures, Old Testament and New, because they all dovetail together (Clip 3). He recounts a group that didn't want any Old Testament teaching, and he refused to participate, saying he had nothing to teach without it (Clip 3).
Les emphasizes the need to remember to whom a particular portion of Scripture is writing or speaking (Clip 4). Do not bring what God said to Israel as necessarily apropos today, but recognize that God's moral standards don't change (Clip 4). Also, note that customs and environments change, so some mandates were based on cultural context (Clip 2).
Even though Jesus' earthly ministry was to Israel under the Law, there are great moral lessons that we can apply to our lives (Clip 5). We can make application from those stories, but we must understand the historical context (Clip 5).
Selective Scripture Use
Les teaches that you cannot pick and choose parts of a verse or chapter to suit your preference, as this leads to misinterpretation.
God's Unchanging Nature
Les explains that although we are under grace, the God of the Old Testament is the same today, and He still hates the same sins.
Customs Change
Les notes that some biblical mandates were based on customs that have changed, so we should interpret them with that in mind.
Use All Scripture
Les stresses the importance of using the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, as they complement each other.
Know Your Audience
Les teaches that you must remember to whom a passage is addressed, not forcing what was said to Israel onto today's circumstances.
Moral Lessons Apply
Les acknowledges that while certain passages apply to Israel under the Law, there are still moral lessons for us today.
New Economy
Les explains that the Old Testament law economy has ended, and we now live under a different dispensation of grace.
The Service of God Explained: What Israel's Worship Meant — Romans 9:4
That all comes out of paganism. That comes out of Old Testament Judaism. Alright, now so far as Judaism is concerned, although that was certainly the system that God gave to Israel, yet so far as you and I are concerned, I'd like to have you That's Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, chapter 2, and another one of the precious verses that I just love to use over and over in my teaching.
Colossians 2:14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Paul declares that the ordinances of the law have been removed, supporting the idea that the ceremonial and civil laws are no longer applicable.
Romans 3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Paul shows that righteousness is revealed apart from the law, though the Old Testament itself witnesses to it, indicating a shift away from law-keeping.
Malachi 3:6: For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
God declares His unchanging nature, reinforcing that His moral standards remain the same even when specific laws pass away.
No. Les Feldick insists that we must use all the Scriptures, Old and New, because they all fit together (Clip 3). The Old Testament reveals God's righteousness and holiness, and it contains moral lessons still applicable today (Clip 3).
Because those laws were given to Israel under a specific economy that has ended (Clip 6). We are now on resurrection ground, and God deals with us differently (Clip 4). Yet, the moral character of God remains the same, so what He hates today is still hateful to Him (Clip 1).
Use discernment and remember to whom the passage was written (Clip 4). Not everything said to Israel is for the church today, but principles of God's character remain constant (Clip 4).
Watch the Teaching: Why the 12 Disciples Never Preached to Gentiles — Acts 1:8