(Nehemiah 9:13-14) The Value of The OT Law In Gospel Living

Nathan Sehi

Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Nehemiah 9:13–14

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INTRODUCTION:

We often as Christians accidently neglect parts of our Faith.

- Perhaps that comes as a surprise.

>>>>>>>>>and You say really! But the answer is Yes.

- We as created beings are limited in every way - strength, knowledge, time, skills … and thus we often accidently and with good intentions forget about parts of our faith.

For example,

The Holy Spirit is often called the forgotten person of the Trinity.

Paul Tripp often describes what he calls “Gospel Amnesia” - in Other words we live forgetting what Christ has done.

And for many Christians - we live without regard to the Law.

We live as though the Old Testament Law has nothing to say to us.

It is the neglect of the Old Testament Law that I want to draw our attention too.

The one part of the Law that we always remember - is that we are not under the Law.

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

- “since you are not under law but under grace.”

*****Slide 1

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Romans 8:3–4 ESV

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

*****Slide 2

- “since you are not under law but under grace.”

But does that mean -

The Law has no purpose in our lives?

Is the Law a piece of Scripture that we no longer need?

Does that mean it no longer has authority over our lives?

>>>> After-all, we can’t be legalistic - can we!

What I would like to suggest this morning is that the Law teaches us Godly Wisdom, and the NT reaffirms that the Law is valuable for living wise, Godly lives.

Our text this morning is a great description of the Law!

{{{For many we consider the Law a curse!

But the Law was far from a curse, and in fact a blessing of God.}}}}

Recounts the Blessings God has bestowed on the

- Created World,

- Abraham,

- and Israel.

But I would like us to return to and take a closer look at how Ezra describes the Law as a blessing.

Nehemiah 9:13–14 ESV

You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.

This morning, I would to challenge you that -

*****Slide 3

PROPOSITION: We ought to seek wisdom from the OT Law

TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: And this morning we will understand 2 reasons why.

First,

We will understand that - The Old Testament Law was a blessing to Israel.

Then,

We will understand that - The Old Testament Law is Still A Blessing for Christians Today.

*******Slide 4

So first,

1) The Old Testament Law was a blessing to Israel.

What comes to mind when you hear the Mosaic Law?

For Christians, the law brings many images - but none of them good.

- Often the Law bores us as we read the long list of commands and requirements.

We might even think - who could ever obey all these commands.

- For others, the Law brings feelings of guilt and oppression as we consider the impossibility of keeping the Law.

And those feelings are not entirely without warrant.

Consider, -

*********Slide 5 and 6

Romans 3:19–21 ESV

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

Given an account like that - we can understand why we act as though the Old Testament law is boring and awful.

Certainly the Law brings Guilt,

And the Cross is so much better news then keeping the Law.

But may we not be so quick to throw away the Law.

Is the law the problem?

Or is the problem the sinfulness that the Law judges?

Consider who spoke the Law to Moses!

Is a God a person who speaks evil, and harshness?

Or is God a good, truthful, and loving God?

Ezra describes the Law as showing the wisdom and character of God.

And thus because he spoke it - the Law is good, wise, and truthful.

*******Slide 7

So Ezra describes the Law as being -

(a) Right rules (judgments).

“13 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules”

English Standard Version Chapter 9

You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.

In this case, I actually prefer the KJV when it says “right Judgments”.

The Word the ESV translates “rules” is a pretty common word for judgement.

It’s Verb form means to judge.

In other words, the Law is a list of correct or righteous judgments from God.

ILLUSTRATION:

Have you wished you had list of what is right and proper actions.

You are struggling with what is wise and right in an ethical situation.

And the reality is you do have that - isn’t the Law a long list of righteous or correct judgement.

Without th

Without telling to keep the requirements of the Law- because no one can.

Rom 3:20teaches us that no

*********Slide 8

Romans 3:20 ESV

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

This is why we need Christ. Christ is righteousness without the Law.

And yet at the same time, the Law is a set of right judgments.

And in that way the Law is meant to give us practical wisdom for everyday living.

*********Slide 9

In fact, teaches us the Law was meant to make Israel wise.

Deuteronomy 4:6 ESV

Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

We may not be under the Law,

but we can still learn from the Wisdom of the Law.

We can still profit from the wonderful list of right judgments that God has bestowed upon us.

In other words - we do have list for what is right and wrong - from which we can learn to live wisely.

*******Slide 10

Further, Israel was given

(b) True laws.

“and true laws”

What does that mean?

contrasts the Words of humanity with the Words of God - and how do they compare?

*******Slide 11

Humanity’s words are summed up as wicked.

Psalm 12:3–4 ESV

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

*******Slide 12

But God’s Words are Holy and Just.

Psalm 12:6 ESV

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Because of the one who spoke the Law to Moses,

>these are not human attempts at wise living.

>these are not politically manipulated laws.

They are laws that are based on truth and righteousness.

Imagine, if the Laws of the land were based on truth found only in God.

That is the blessing Israel received.

And may I carefully clarify and obviously with Caveats say - Our nation would be a wiser nation if we allowed our laws to reflect the truth and order of the Old Testament Law.

These Laws are a source of Wisdom - because they reflect the truth.

*****Slide 13

But also, these Laws were -

(c) Good laws.

“good statutes and commandments”

Given that the text already said these laws were right and true.

I think we can understand this description as ...

- Good or kind to us.

- The laws are helpful to our well being.

That might surprise us.

******Slide 14

We probably understand the Law more as a curse then something helpful to our well being.

Galatians 3:10 ESV

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

But why is Paul calling the Law a curse?

Is it because the Laws commands are harmful to us?

His point isn’t that there is something wrong with the Law,

but that it is a curse to those who can’t obey the law.

What makes the law a curse is our bent nature to sin.

So may I say,

The law is a blessing that is kind to us.

Those who use the Law for Godly wisdom will have received something good and kind.

******Slide 15

Another controversial blessing from the Law - God gave Israel

(d) The Sabbath (a day of remembrance, rest, and worship).

14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath

If you study the Gospels,

you will find that religious leaders accused Jesus of breaking the sabbath over and over.

Two examples:

Jesus,

(a) Healed on the Sabbath (; )

(b) Plucking Grain to Eat on the Sabbath (–38)

We almost get the idea that there was something wrong with the Sabbath.

But again the problem was not with the Sabbath, but with the people who kept the Sabbath.

Jesus never broke the Sabbath according to Scripture

He broke the Jewish traditions that had been added to the Sabbath.

So what was the Sabbath meant to do according to the Law.

and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.

A Good theology of the Sabbath will note that it was meant to be a blessing in which Israel

Received Regular Rest

A Day Set Aside to Remember the Work of God in creation.

And a day devoted to Worship of God.

We may not be under the Sabbath - but the Sabbath is great wisdom for balancing life.

If we follow the Scriptural principals of Sabbath,

We will balance work and rest.

We will remember God’s goodness and authority through Creation

And we will take time to worship God publically and personally.

There is a wisdom balance here that I think needs to be considered.

>There are times of life where rest and worship are not possible.

Sickness; family emergencies; planned, purposeful, and intentional rest (aka vacation and relaxation).

Which is why if you a miss a Sunday, I am not standing here going >>>> oh know somebody missed Sunday.

We are not under the Law, but grace.

>On the other hand, as a wisdom issue - the Sabbath should teach us to rest, remember, and worship.

Based on the Sabbath day being every 7 days,

If you work without regular rest - you are going to burn yourself out.

If you don’t reflect on the Creator - then you are going forget who you belong to.

If you don’t regularly and intentionally worship God - you are going to worship something else.

So usually, as a Pastor I will side with grace,

but there are also a point when

The Sabbath is both a blessing and a wise balance of life that we should practice as a principle in our lives.

So -

We often consider the law a Curse.

We praise God we are not under the law because we can’t keep the law.

But may this text balance that view.

Yes we are not under the Law, but grace.

But we also should see the Old Testament Law as a blessing of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

But my challenge today is not just that Israel was blessed by the Law,

but that we as Christians gain Wisdom from the Law.

*****Slide 16

I am suggesting secondly, that -

2) The Old Testament Law is still a blessing to Christians.

This point could take a long time, so what I am trying to do this morning is to reinforce my main point that - We ought to seek Wisdom from the Law

We ought to seek Wisdom from the Law

By briefly summarizing how Paul used the Law.

*****Slide 17

First,

(a) Christians are called to wisdom. (, , , )

*****Slide 17 and 18

Colossians 1:28 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Romans 16:19 ESV

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

But how do we know what is wise?

Certainly the NT, Certainly Proverbs, Certainly the Psalms

And I believe the Law is also a source of Wisdom for Christians.

And I believe the Law is also a source of Wisdom.

Certainly the NT,

We have already read that talks about the wisdom of the Law.

Perhaps consider

Proverbs 28:7 ESV

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

*****Slide 19

Psalm 19:7 ESV

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 19:7 ESV

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The Law makes people wiser, and we as Christians are called to live in Wisdom.

Further, We are certainly are free from the law, but

****** Slide 20

(b) Christians are called to the Law of Christ. (, /, ,/, )

****** Slide 21

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We are not under the Law, but we are under the Law of Christ.

May I suggest,

Defined: The Law of Christ practically is using the Old Testament Law as wisdom for Gospel living.

And Paul does this in a number of places.

For example,

****** Slide 22

Romans 12:19 ESV

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Rom 12:19

He uses a quotation of - to show how Christians should not avenge themselves.

****** Slide 23

Romans 13:8–10 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8–10 ESV

In other words, Paul draws on 10 commandments and - to demonstrate that we as Christians should live by loving others.

****** Slide 24

2 Corinthians 13:1 ESV

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Where does 2 or 3 witness come from? .

****** Slide 25

Ephesians 6:1–2 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Paul again draws on the OT 10 commandments for wise Gospel living.

My point,

Because Paul calls us to Wisdom,

and because we are told to follow the Law of Christ.

The OT Law still blesses us with it’s right, true, and good commandments.

CONCLUSION:

So often in our generations Christianity -

we don’t have time for the law.

It is a forgotten truth.

It is often seen as boring and oppresive.

But that is not what Scripture says.

Part of living out the Gospel faithfully is looking towards the Law for Wisdom.

1) The Old Testament Law was a blessing to Israel.

(a) Right Rules (Judgments).

(b) True Laws.

(d) The Sabbath (a day of remembrance, rest, and worship).

2) The Old Testament Law is still a blessing to Christians.

(a) Christians are called to Wisdom. (, , , )

(b) Christians are called to the Law of Christ. (, /, ,/, )

We ought to seek wisdom from the Law!

Ephesians 6:1–2 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Brian Rosner, Paul and the Law (NSBT), pg. 205.

“The Law was written for us Christians to teach us how to live. It was written for our instruction and the events it records were also written down to instruct us. in fact, all the law is useful for moral teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

But how do we do that!

I am challenging you to consider whether you have seriously studied the Law.

When is the last time you read through and sought to apply Deuteronomy and Leviticus?

And yes - there is a NT application for Deuteronomy and Leviticus.

(As a help to you, I have included a series question to go through the book of Leviticus.)

And I want to challenge us in the near future to seriously consider the Law and it’s application in our devotions.

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