Non-Jews, God, and the Old Testament

Hi! I hope you are well! I’ve been raised a Christian but in studying scripture, some things don’t make sense. I’m hoping you can read this and provide perspective. I truly appreciate it! Looking only at the God of the Old Testament: Do I or can I have a God that is for me? When I think about this, I compare myself to the people that God chose to walk with him. How do I compare to them? Would God ever choose me? Why were they chosen? How likely is it that I could be chosen - that I could have a God that wants me to walk with him? It feels unlikely. And that feels void of hope. Do we have a hopeless God? Do we have a God who is present? Who is an active and positive contributor in our lives? If we do, How? And if we don’t, then what’s the point? 1. I will never be an Enoch, Genesis 5:24 - I am not perfect (and oh how I wish I was - how beautiful) - but also please tell me what he did that was so great. Like Lord, why is there no bio on Enoch. (The lack of background gives me hope that maybe he wasn’t perfect. Maybe he’s like me and you just enjoyed him so much and wanted his company.) 2. And I’d like to think I have the heart of Job but if faced with the loss of every single thing I have, would my heart still really look like Jobs? Could I ever remain blameless? Job 4:6, Job 6:10. 3. I am not Noah (my deeds will never compare). Genesis 6:9 Those are the three people on the Old Testament that I look at and see approval in the eyes of the Lord. If I feel the most like anyone I would say it’s Joseph? He walked with God but he sinned right? Framing your brothers would be a sin? But he did it to see them again. His heart hurt and it was from sadness and love. Genesis 42 - thought: sometimes I think which brothers lineage I could be apart of. Levi would really track for me. Priesthood. But then I see Joseph’s heart. Alone in a foreign land, but making the most of it. I always feel like I don’t belong. Lost, sad, orphaned, abandoned, but spiritual and strong and smart and full of love and discernment. I see myself in him. - Genesis 43:30 Abraham! And the covenant The following is a big reason I am struggling with understanding the validity of the gospel; - It is in Gods character to keep his promises - God promised his kingdom to Abraham and his offspring (what does this mean for people that are not Jewish? Are they ever able to enter Gods kingdom? If so, then how? The gospel claims it is by belief only. The Old Testament states it is the specific Covenant God makes with Abraham.) - If God establishes his covenant with Abraham, this is an eternal promise that is made by God today and tomorrow for eternity. It cannot and will not be broken. With this being true, I am struggling to understand how later the gospel could claim the only way to God is through Jesus when that would then specifically imply God is breaking his promise with Abraham (which again it is in Gods character to keep his promises - God explicitly states this covenant will never be broken. It is absolute.) Per the gospel - If the only way to God was through Jesus, that would then mean the abandonment of his people and that is not the character of God. So by this logic, how then can Christianity be viable?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

While I cannot comment on Christianity, I will share some thoughts with you on a non-Jews relationship with God and the Old Testament

Judaism was the first religion to teach the idea of monotheism.

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of only one God, as opposed to polytheism, which acknowledges multiple gods. In Judaism, this one God is often referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is also known as the God of Israel.

The concept of monotheism in Judaism is the most fundamental principle of our religion. It is the core of the entire Torah. One such passage in the Torah, which is recited multiple times a day is known as the “Shema.” It can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and it says, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one." This declaration encapsulates the monotheistic essence of Judaism.

It is the idea of monotheism that sets Judaism apart from many of the surrounding ancient Near Eastern religions, which were often polytheistic or henotheistic (acknowledging the existence of multiple gods but worshiping one as supreme). Judaism's insistence on the Oneness of God was revolutionary.

Monotheism in Judaism also carries important theological implications. It emphasizes the unity and transcendence of God, who is seen as the creator and sustainer of the universe, as well as the source of moral law and divine providence. This belief in one all-powerful and all-knowing God forms the basis of Jewish ethics, which are derived from the divine commandments found in the Torah.

Judaism believes that God loves all mankind. One does not need to become Jewish to go to heaven. All that God wants from the Non-Jewish world is that they observe 7 precepts, or commandments. They are known as the “Noahide Laws.” They are called “Noahide Laws” because the requirement to observe these seven laws was given Noah, a righteous non-Jew (yes, the fellow from the story with the flood).

The 7 laws are:

1. Don’t murder.

2. Don’t steal.

3. Don’t worship false gods.

4. Don’t be sexually immoral.

5. Don’t eat a limb from an animal that is still alive.

6. Don’t curse God.

7. Establish a system of justice.

Any human being who observes these laws goes to heaven. There is no need to follow any other religion. You can pray to God in your own words and your own language. Take a look at the website https://www.netivonline.org/ which specializes in helping non-Jews with religious beliefs. There is a wealth of information there that you will find useful and inspiring. It is also worth looking up the “Noahide” or "B'nai Noach" movement and consider joining them!