Question: Does the Old Testament Promote a Works-Salvation?

Question: The Law of Moses was a “covenant of works,” i.e., “works-based” salvation. The Apostle Paul states that “the just shall live by faith” (Romans:1:17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
See All...), referencing Abraham, who preceded the law by 400 years. Isn’t this verse applied to Israel, even though we understand that they were under the law of Moses, a covenant of works? Yet, the Bible also clearly points out that “no man shall be justified by doing the works of the law” (Galatians:2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
See All...). We see that the Law of Moses reigned over Israel for about 1,500 years until Christ’s death on the cross. If Israelites were saved by just obeying/keeping the law, this translates into works for salvation. We see that Moses gave Israel the Law, “grace and truth came only after Christ had come into the world.” (John:1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
See All...). This passage clearly states that Israel could not be under grace if they followed the Law of Moses, because grace and truth came after Christ came to the world. Do you see a distinction between the rules of life and faith under these two covenants?

Response: You’ve quoted some very important scriptures. In Hebrews:11:30-33 [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. [31] By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. [32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: [33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
See All..., we read of those who lived after the Law: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.... By faith the harlot Rahab perished not...when she had received the spies with peace....
[T]ime would fail me to tell of Gideon...Barak...Samson...Jephthae...David also...Samuel, and the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.”

Some say “Jews were saved by keeping the Law.” The Scriptures disagree. As Galatians:3:11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
See All... also tells us, “No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Paul quotes from Habakkuk:2:4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
See All..., so we can’t dismiss this as applying only to the New Testament. It is clear that “salvation by faith” apart from the Law is found in the Old Testament. Paul wrote that the purpose of the Law was to serve as a “schoolmaster [tutor] to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians:3:24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
See All...). Paul also makes the point that “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin”(Romans:3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
See All...]). The Law was never intended to be the basis of salvation. Rather, the purpose of the Law was to make us aware of our sin as part of the process to bring us to Christ.

David was also saved by faith, according to Paul (Romans:4:6-8 [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
See All...), where he quoted Psalm:32:1-2 [1] (A Psalm of David, Maschil.) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
See All.... Other citations consistently point out that in the Old Testament salvation was through faith alone (see Romans:4:23-24 [23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; [24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
See All...). “Righteousness” is given to those exercising faith in God, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, those that followed—and us. We all partake of the same way of salvation! 

As Dave Hunt noted, “Though the prophets didn’t fully understand it, Paul still calls it ‘the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.’ One of the most powerful arguments we have for Jews or anyone is that the entire gospel—Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection—was foretold in detail in the Old Testament. We simply preach today what God has proclaimed in His Word for thousands of years! For those who come to Christ in faith, the Law was their tutor and “...after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (See also Romans chapter 7 for Paul’s clarification of the Law.)