How can God’s morality be absolute if it changes (e.g., dietary laws, sacrifices, Sabbath regulations)?

Definition and Scope

This entry addresses the question: “How can God’s morality be absolute if it changes (e.g., dietary laws, sacrifices, Sabbath regulations)?” The discussion revolves around understanding the nature of God’s moral law, His purposes in instituting specific practices under different covenants, and the continuity of His character. The goal is to explore how these seemingly shifting guidelines fit with an unchanging moral order.

God’s Unchanging Character

Scripture consistently testifies that God does not alter in His essence or moral perfection. Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the LORD do not change.” Likewise, James 1:17 affirms that with God “there is no variation or shifting shadow.” These statements emphasize that God’s being and holiness remain constant.

At the same time, the biblical record includes ceremonial practices unique to certain periods (e.g., the sacrificial system in Leviticus). This can prompt questions about whether God’s morality itself has shifted. Understanding the distinction between God’s eternal moral law and temporary ceremonial instructions clarifies how the Lord can remain consistent while prescribing different practices throughout history.

Distinguishing Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil Laws

Many theologians and biblical scholars have observed a useful distinction within Old Testament laws:

• Moral Laws: Principles reflecting God’s pure and timeless nature. For instance, prohibitions against murder, theft, and adultery (Exodus 20:13–14). These reflect God’s righteous character and are carried forward into the New Testament.

• Ceremonial Laws: Regulations for worship, sacrifice, ritual purity, and dietary practices given specifically to Israel (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). These pointed forward in symbolic form to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and were fulfilled in Him.

• Civil Laws: Instructions on governance, justice, and societal structure for ancient Israel as a theocratic nation (e.g., Deuteronomy 15:1–11). These provided social frameworks in a particular historical context.

Moral laws remain binding reflections of God’s unchanging character. Ceremonial and civil instructions often served as temporary, covenant-specific directives that foreshadowed greater spiritual truths in Christ.

Progressive Revelation Across Covenants

Biblical history unfolds through covenants—agreements God establishes with humanity (e.g., with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and ultimately the New Covenant through Christ). Each covenant highlights God’s consistent moral nature, yet it can adapt certain ceremonies and regulations to accomplish His redemptive plan.

• Old Covenant (Mosaic): Contained detailed regulations on sacrifices, dietary instructions, and Sabbath observances. These laws functioned “as our guardian to lead us to Christ” (see Galatians 3:24).

• New Covenant (In Christ): Christ’s atoning death and resurrection perfectly fulfilled the sacrificial system. Hebrews 9:12 says He “entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood.” Hence, the original ceremonial requirements, which symbolized a greater sacrifice to come, were completed in Him.

Under this new covenant, many of the symbolic practices (dietary, sacrificial, temple-based) are no longer required. This does not signal a change in God’s morality; rather, it indicates the completion of the old forms by Christ’s work.

Dietary Regulations and Christ’s Declaration

Dietary laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy distinguished Israel from surrounding nations. In Mark 7:18–19, Jesus taught that it is not food entering a person that defiles them, “(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean).” Early believers wrestled with how to apply these teachings (Acts 10:9–16; Acts 15:28–29). The New Testament church recognized that such dietary distinctions belonged to the ceremonial realm now fulfilled in Christ. This change does not imply a shift in God’s essential morality; rather, it shows God’s plan to break down national distinctions and unite all peoples in Christ (Ephesians 2:14).

Sacrifices Fulfilled in Christ

Sacrificial rituals served to illustrate the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement (see Leviticus 16). These foreshadowed Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

• Hebrews 10:1–2 notes, “The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves.”

• Christ’s sacrifice is the culmination of these symbols. As Hebrews 10:10 affirms, “we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Hence, the cessation of animal sacrifices after Christ’s ultimate offering does not reflect a change in God’s moral character. It demonstrates the completion of a temporary system with something greater and permanent.

Sabbath Regulations and Their Fulfillment

The Sabbath was central to Israel’s national identity under the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 20:8–11). Yet the New Testament portrays Christ as the substance of the Sabbath-rest (Colossians 2:16–17; Matthew 11:28). Believers find rest in Him continually.

The principle—pausing to honor God—remains valuable, but the strict Old Testament form was a ceremonial sign foreshadowing the ultimate rest Jesus provides (Hebrews 4:9–11). Thus, shifting from a specific observance day to continual rest in Christ’s work does not signal moral inconsistency but the unveiling of a deeper reality and relationship.

Consistency in Command and Purpose

Archaeological and historical studies (including the Dead Sea Scrolls’ preservation of Old Testament texts) confirm minimal variation in the transmitted commandments and highlight a remarkable continuity in the portrayal of God’s nature throughout Scripture. The seemingly different commands appear because God meets humanity in progressive stages:

• Unique Historical Missions: Israel was chosen to reveal God’s holiness and to provide the lineage of the Messiah (Romans 9:4–5).

• Universal Mission: After the atoning work of Christ, the focus broadens to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20).

This reflects a consistent moral framework: God’s holiness, humanity’s need for redemption, and the call to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). Changes in ceremonial expressions do not undercut this moral core.

Philosophical Considerations

From a philosophical standpoint, an unchanging moral nature allows for diverse expressions in different contexts. A parent might adapt household rules to a child’s age while still upholding the same core principle of love and safety. Similarly, God’s standards of holiness and love remain constant, even though He may adjust certain ceremonial requirements to accomplish His overarching redemptive plan across history.

Practical Implications

• Confidence in God’s Character: Believers can trust that God is consistently faithful and just, even as some external practices shift.

• Understanding Fulfillment: Studying how Christ fulfills ceremonial laws inspires worship and greater appreciation for the story of redemption.

• Emphasis on Moral Truths: Recognizing which commands are moral (and timeless) versus ceremonial helps believers interpret Scripture responsibly (2 Timothy 2:15).

Conclusion

God’s morality is absolute because it flows from His unchanging essence. Apparent shifts in commandments (dietary restrictions, sacrificial systems, Sabbath regulations) reflect distinct covenantal phases and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes in Christ. These changes do not signify contradictions in God’s moral nature. Rather, they highlight God’s progressive revelation: He guides humanity toward a fuller understanding of His holiness, culminating in the work of Jesus Christ.

As Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The moral character of God remains steadfast, and the unfolding nature of His plan underscores that from the beginning to the end of Scripture, He is consistently revealing the same holiness, love, and justice.