The scripture has continuity from the Old Testament to the New. The theme remains the same. Man was in fellowship with God, and all was well. God made covenant from the very beginning to keep them in perfect harmony. Man was drawn away from that covenant by A fallen spirit who was eager to get back at God for ousting him from his position. Man fell under the authority of that fallen spirit who has been called in the New Testament, “the God of this world”. Man needed a Savior. God worked with man even in the Old Testament to shield man from the fury of the oppressor. Man would follow awhile and experience bouts of peace. Man would be drawn away again and suffer intense persecution. There are many things that God said to curb the actions of the enemy from repeatedly buffeting his man. One such passage is found in Isaiah 58: 3-12
3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. (Rear Guard or Protection in the Hebrew)
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
The New Testament continues this theme as we read the words of our Lord through the great commission and through the love of all men. When we set ourselves to follow wholly, then we are able to go out boldly, with confidence, and quiet assurance of a Covenant keeping God Protecting us and establishing us in our land.
John 10:10 (The Words of Our Lord)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.