Introduction to the Law of Moses

Series Review

Part two of a series entitled “Understanding how to live Under Grace”

3 Key Developments:

Understanding the fundamentals of law and grace

Understanding of the primary purpose of the law and the way grace corresponds to that purpose

Understanding how to live “Under Grace”

Misunderstood Argument

Christians are not bound by the commands of the law of Moses

Three incorrect views:

View #1: that we are no longer bound by the rules of the Old Testament

View #2: that in the O.T. salvation was obtained by keeping the law of Moses, but in the N.T. salvation is obtained by faith in Jesus

View #3: that Christians who sin are not punished because we are “under grace”

Biblical foundation for argument (Rm 6:14-15)

Romans 6:14–15 AV

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Three components in the first law of God (Gen 2:17)

Genesis 2:17 AV

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

command

choice

consequence

Note: the consequence is always severe

Definition of the law of Moses for our study

God’s commands for Israel’s conduct

Introduction to the law of Moses

generally when a person states they are “not under the law”, that person is referring to the law of Moses.

to understand how to live under grace it is necessary to understand what it meant to live under the law of Moses

Timing of the Law of Moses

After God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt

As the Hebrew refugees were transitioning into a nation

As the God of Abraham was revealing Himself to the Hebrews and establishing Himself as the ruler of their nation

Key thought

The law of Moses is based on the principle that God ruled Isreal

Living under the law of Moses meant submitting to God’s rule, obeying God’s command, and reflecting God’s character through your conduct.

How does living under grace correspond to this understanding of living under the law of Moses?

Deuteronomy 4:5–8 AV

5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Every Promise in the Bible The Content of the Mosaic or Law Covenant

While many think of the law simply as the Ten Commandments, much more than a moral code was included in biblical law. The Law of Moses had rules for deciding civil and criminal cases. The Law of Moses ordained a priesthood for Israel, and set out a sacrificial system. The Law of Moses defined “clean” and “unclean” foods, which could and could not be eaten by Israelites. The Law of Moses regulated marriage and family life, military operations, worship and religious holidays, borrowing and lending, farming, the care of the poor, relationships with aliens, hygiene, men’s and women’s clothing, the treatment of infectious skin diseases, and many other matters. All the major events of a person’s life, from birth to marriage to child-rearing to old age and death, were dealt with in Moses’ Law.

Jewish tradition says that there are not just Ten Commandments in Moses’ Law: the Old Testament contains 613 commandments that the Israelites were to observe!

Perhaps the best way to sum up Mosaic Law is to say that it gave complete instructions to Israel on how they were to live in fellowship with God and one another.

Key Thought!

Living under the law of Moses meant every aspect of your life was governed in some way by the law of God. Living by the law of Moses put God’s wisdom and holiness on display to each other, as well as to other nations.

Living under the law of Moses was NOT a weekly religious act, but a daily righteous life, expressed systematically through ceremonial acts.

Question: does living “under grace” free Christians from expressing God’s character through our personal behavior?No!

Command, Choice, Consequence

Deuteronomy 30:15–20 AV

15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Key Thought

You choose your consequence by choosing your behavior!

What was it like to live under the law?

Those who lived “under the law of Moses” were careful to obey God’s commands, or they suffered the sever consequences of God’s wrath!

How does living under grace correspond to this idea of living under the law of Moses?

Malachi 3:6 AV

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hebrews 13:8 AV

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Key thought

God does not change therefore those living “under grace” must fear, reverence, & obey God just as much as the people who lived “under the law of Moses”