Rance-Adams
I needed to restate my post in order to comply with the sensible rules of this forum, I apologized for not doing that in my previous post, per laziness on my part!
I do agree with you that the NT clearly lists what is sin.
However I think the OT is very valuable to us for a more complete understanding of many things written in the NT. In a discussion such as this one, I think we can show the difference between all killing and what would be defined as murder. The first instance of murder is found in Genesis. We can see what happened and why and how God respond to it.
About the OT being written to and for the Jews, I don't agree.
2Ti 3:16 every Writing is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for setting aright, for instruction that is in righteousness,
We also know that when the Bereans heard Paul they would go to the scripture/writings to see if what he said was true.
Act 17:11 and these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, they received the word with all readiness of mind, every day examining the Writings whether those things were so;
Those writings were the OT. We see that Jesus and the apostles quoted from the OT.
Lev 19:18 `Thou dost not take vengeance, nor watch the sons of thy people; and thou hast had love to thy neighbour as thyself; I am Yehovah.
Mat 5:43 `Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and shalt hate thine enemy;
Mat 5:44 but I--I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,
Rom 12:17 giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.
But aside from all that, Adam, Cain, Noah, Job, etc. were not Jews they were Gentiles. The nation of Israel did not exist at that time. Jacob's sons would become the nation of Israel.
Gen 25:23 And Yehovah saith to her, `Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples from thy bowels are parted; and the one people than the other people is stronger; and the elder doth serve the younger.'
I don't believe God's moral laws have changed down through the ages. I believe salvation has always been by grace, through faith, see Abraham.
Gen 15:6 And he hath believed in Jehovah, and He reckoneth it to him--righteousness.
Rom 4:3 for what doth the writing say? `And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;'
I see the first act of God's grace for a sinner was in the garden.
Gen 3:21 And Jehovah God doth make to the man and to his wife coats of skin, and doth clothe them.
The OT is so rich in knowledge and seeing the nature of God, I know that by reading and studying it,especially here on this forum, I have been very blessed and have a better understanding of the NT and the words that our Lord spoke.