UNDERSTANDING THE LAW OF MOSES

You might wonder why I would write about the Law.  After all, didn't Jesus fulfill it, and so we are no longer under the Law of Moses?

    Well, Jesus fulfilling the Law is true, but Gentile (non-Jewish) believers were never under the Law, so they were never obligated to keep it.

    However, we can all still learn from the Law if we understand what is in it, and what it truly is.

The Law Is God's Word

We call it the Law of Moses, but Moses is not its author. He was only the messenger who delivered it to the Israelites.

    God is the author of the Law.   It is His Word.   It is also His will.

    The Law is spiritual. Rom. 7: 14.

    The Law is perfect. Psalm 19: 7.

    The Law is useful. 1 Tim. 1: 8 – 11.

    The only problem with the Law is not within the Law itself. Heb. 8: 8.

    The Law points to Christ. Gal. 3: 24.

    The Law was added to the Abrahamic covenant, but did not replace it. Gal. 3: 15 – 19.

    The Law was the core of the Mosaic covenant. Heb. 9: 19

    As God's Word, the Law has not, and it will never pass away. Matt. 5: 18.

    Jesus fulfilled the Law to establish a better covenant that brings salvation and righteousness through the New Birth. Matt. 5: 17. Heb. 8: 6.

What Is In The Law?

We can better understand the Law's nature by understanding what is in it.

    The law of Moses contains three kinds of law: moral, ceremonial, and governmental.

    The moral law, as expressed by the Ten Commandments and other commandments, describes personal righteous behavior.

    Because people have problems keeping the moral law, God included the ceremonial and governmental laws.

    The ceremonial laws allowed the people to have an ongoing relationship with God through the Old Covenant.  These laws covered the sanctuary (tabernacle/temple), the priesthood, the sacrifices, the feasts, the kosher diet, and requirements for ceremonial cleanness.   Heb. 9: 1.

    The governmental law protected society from man's moral shortcomings.  It covered the investigation of crimes, punishments for violations, quarantines, settlement of civil disputes, and government structure.

The Law Is About Love

You probably didn't expect that, did you? Just bear with me and I'll explain.

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

(Rom. 13: 8-10 NAS)

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

(Gal 5:13-14 NAS)

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well.

(James 2:8 NAS)

    If love is the fulfillment of the Law, then the Law just might have something to do with love.  That looks more likely when you consider that the two greatest commandments are to love God and your neighbor. Matt. 22: 35 – 40.

    Now, consider that the Hebrew word for law, “Torah,” also means “instruction.”

    Conclusion: The Law is not just a moral code of behavior, it is God's instruction to spiritually dead people on how to walk in love.  God does have a nature of love, and He expressed that nature through the Law.

    Jesus fulfilled both the moral and ceremonial laws to qualify Himself as the only perfect sacrifice for us.  The moral law did not pass away; it remains as an indicator of man's need for redemption. The ceremonial law is no longer needed, but it can still teach us things about our relationship with God.   The governmental law remains as the best example for human government.

    Through the New Birth, we receive God's love nature, and the moral law is now written on our hearts.