There is much confusion regarding the Old Testament....and what exactly should a Christian acknowledge....and what a Christian should ignore. The reason for this is outlined by the Apostle Peter when he says this.
Paul spoke of the "LAW" both positively and negatively. In the Old Testament we are presented with "TWO" laws....the Spiritual Law of God, The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20] and the ritualistic Civil Law of Moses [Deuteronomy 27]. The Spiritual Law of God has been in effect from creation while the Levitical Law of Moses was added later.....because of transgressions.
When Paul speaks of the Law abolished....he is speaking of Moses [Hebrews 9:1-10]. When Paul is speaking of the Law to uphold, he is speaking of the Spiritual Law [Romans 3:31] Also see our Saviour's comments in [Matthew 5:17-19].
Another point of confusion with regards to our relationship with the Nation of Israel: In the 49th chapter of Genesis you will find the Patriarch Jacob, AKA Israel, blessing his twelve sons. This is shortly before the Egyptian captivity begins and these twelve sons are the progenitors of the "Twelve Tribes of Israel".
Later on in the first Book of Kings you will find the division of the now free Nation of Israel into two separate kingdoms.[I Kings 11:1-13 and 26-40] Also see I Kings chapter 12.
The Southern Kingdom consisted of Judah, Benjamin and their share of the priestly tribe of Levi. The Northern Kingdom consisted of the other ten tribes. You will find that II Kings 16:1-6 is the first place in your Bible where the word Jew is mentioned. You will notice that the Jews are at war against "Israel". The eleventh chapter of II Chronicles also shows the "Jews" at war against "Israel". Most people, not familiar with scripture, read this scratching their heads trying to figure out exactly how this can be. Bottom line.....All Jews are Israelites but not all that are of Israel (Israelites) are Jews.
You will not find in scripture any reference to the Northern Kingdom being called Jews. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (the books that chronicle the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon) you will find no mention of the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom. The Northern Kingdom had been taken into captivity to Assyria [II Kings 17:6] more than a hundred years earlier and never returned. In fact, the king of Assyria had repopulated the land with folks from Babylon [II Kings 17:24] to prevent just that from happening.
Throughout both the Old and New Testaments you will find prophecies regarding both Israel and Judah.....jointly and separately. Don't make the mistake of trying to fit present and future events on the wrong people in the wrong location at the wrong time.
It is very difficult to take the Old Testament literally without taking these two points....and others...into consideration.
Looks like a good place to link
Thanks, that certainly sheds some light on the issue for me.