Were the People in Old Testament Times Primitive?

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/moses-gives-aaron-priesthood-39465?lang=eng

I shared with a Jewish friend that I was studying about the ancient Tabernacle and the Mosaic Law (the laws and rules that were given to Moses to guide the Israelite people he brought out of Egypt). I think she was surprised that a Christian would be doing this, because she asked me why I was doing this studying. The simple answer would be that every four years the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the Old Testament in our Sunday School classes. Sure that got me started, but I wanted to study more on my own, so I am reading the Church college course Old Testament Manual. I've really been enjoying it and learning a lot.

I know that statement probably surprises some people. Many people, especially Christians, consider the Mosaic Law as a mere law of retribution, of an "eye for an eye". They see the Gospel, a law of love, as
something new which began with Jesus Christ. Before the Savior came on earth, they view people as lower beings who were incapable of understanding the principles the Savior taught. They see the people who lived at an earlier time as either mindlessly following the Mosiaic Law, or wallowing in pagan rites.

As my friend stated, "people of long ago weren't stupid", and that, "We do have to consider the fact that those who came before us, though they didn't have our technology, still were smart."

Modern people tend to view technological societies as filled with extremely intelligent people who create superior societies. In our world of plastic wrapped meat, they point to the animal sacrifices in the Law of Moses as justification of the "primitive" nature of the Law of Moses. They view the Israelites as incapable of understanding "Christian" principles.

I agree with my friend "that many stories in the Bible are there to teach us moral stories". Yes, we can learn a lot from the lives of those who go before us. Their lives teach us many lessons on how to both live happily and about the consequences we will experience when we do not follow the teachings of God.

I see the people who chose to squander their life indulging in idol worship as no different than the people today who live only for physical pleasures. A major enticement for this ancient "worship" was not a devout belief by a people of little intelligence in the power of some stone god, but in the sanctioned degeneracy their "worship" allowed them to engage in. These people turned from living by principles and sank to a primitive bestial level.

As I am studying the Old Testament, I have been so impressed with the deep symbolism, the complex writing, and the love God has for us. Each act, each ordinance, each detail of the Israelites life was designed to bring them to Christ. I see the Old Testament as a precious record of God's dealings with man, and of Jesus Christ's continuous efforts to help mankind learn and grow, and achieve happiness.