The Book of the Law
Deuteronomy 4:8, “And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?”
(NKJ)
As we traveled down Route 66 on Sunday nights we got broke down on Ezekiel. Route 66 is designed to take us through all the books of the Bible and how God’s word is tied together. With so many new people and the time that has elapsed, we are going to review Route 66 by going back and explaining from Genesis to Ezekiel how the Bible is laid out.
The first 5 books of the Bible Genesis-Deuteronomy, are called the Book of the Law or Pentateuch. [PIN tuh tuke]-- a Greek term meaning "five-volumed" which refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. The Jews traditionally refer to this collection as "the Book of the Law," or simply "the Law." Another word for this collection, Torah, apparently means "instruction, teaching, or doctrine."
From the time it was written, the Pentateuch was consistently accepted as the work of Moses. This is spelled out in Exodus and supported throughout the Old and New Testament to be his work.
Now when we think of law we think of relevant law. A murderer for example should be punished but someone who drives 5 miles over the speed limit should be congratulated.
Heard a story about a middle-aged woman was driving through a school zone when a policeman pulled her over for speeding. As he was giving her the ticket, she said, "How come I always get a ticket and everyone else gets a warning? Is it my face?" "No, ma'am," explained the officer, "it's your foot."
But as we understand what the Law of God is to us then we can understand our need for Him. In the New Testament in James 2:10, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (NKJ) The point we need to see as Christians is the necessity of the law of God and that if we have lied once, cursed, stolen, lusted, we are just as guilty of breaking God’s law as a murderer. That’s what makes the Cross so necessary.
A mom bought her kids a pet hamster, after they PROMISED they would take care of it, Mom, as usual, ended up with the responsibility. One evening, exasperated, she asked them, "How many times do you think that hamster would have died if I hadn't looked after it?" After a moment, her youngest son replied quizzically, "Once?"
Just one sin and lost people need to know they need his grace. And for us Christians we need to remember that all of us are equal law breakers. That’s what makes grace so amazing. Let’s examine together the three explanations of the necessity of the law.
I. The Definition of the Law
God was building a nation and it was a nation of unruly children much like America today. Same desires and leanings of the flesh were evident in the pagan lands around them. Other nations worshipped other gods and therefore the law of God was needed to set His people on the right path.
God gave his law to Adam, Noah and Abraham by establishing covenants with them. We find these in the book of Genesis. But, as we move from Adam to Abraham God’s law focuses on the Hebrew Race.
Today when Christians think about God’s law we think of The Ten Commandments or (Decalogue) (Ex. 20:1–17; Dt. 5:6–21) are rightly regarded as the epitome of
Moses was given The Ten commandments after God supernaturally brought his people out of the bondage of Egypt. The Ten Commandments are still God’s Law to live by, still, carry punishment for disobedience because to break God’s law is sin. That is why the law was written so that his people can know what sin is, a breaking of God’s Law.
God then got specific in the book of Leviticus about laws and what would happen if they were broke, He gave laws for the Sabbath, laws in marriage, sex, the land and a host of others all designed to give His people a better plan to live by. The Bible defines God’s Law as Pure: Psalm 19:8, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;” as Perfect Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” and as Truth, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.” Psalm 119:142
What does this mean to us? Many years ago, Chinese farmers theorized that they could eat their big potatoes and use the small ones for seed. Consequently, they ate the big potatoes and planted the small potatoes. As a result of this practice over the years, nature eventually reduced the size of all the potatoes they harvested to marbles. A new understanding of the law of life came to them. They learned through this bitter experience that they could not have the best things of life for themselves and use their leftovers for seed. The law of life decreed that the harvest would reflect the planting!
As we let God’s law infiltrate our lives and realize there is a standard higher than our own opinions, then we can let God’s law shape our character and mold our hearts into lives that can be used for His Glory. The Law of God is designed to make the lives of His people better.
II. The Description of God’s Law Here we get specific about the 5 books. What do they try to convey to us and how are they tied together. The Bible is supernaturally tied together with a common theme and a common thread. Inspired by god Himself let’s describe these first 5 books.
The Book of Genesis has sometimes been called the "seed-plot" of the entire Bible. Most of the major doctrines in the Bible are introduced in "seed" form in the Book of Genesis. Along with the fall of man, God's promise of salvation or redemption is recorded (Genesis 3:15). The doctrines of creation, imputation of sin, justification, atonement, depravity, wrath, grace, sovereignty, responsibility, and many more are all addressed in this "seed" Book called Genesis.
Many of the great questions of life are answered in Genesis. (1) Where have I come from? (answered in Genesis 1:1) (2) Why am I here? (answered in Genesis 15:6) (3) Where am I going? (answered in Genesis 25:8). It is a fitting beginning for God's story of His love for mankind, the Bible.
Exodus continues what began in Genesis as God deals with His chosen people, the Jews. It traces the events from the time Israel entered Egypt as guests, until they were eventually delivered from the cruel bondage of slavery into which they had been brought by "...a new king...which knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1:8).
The theme of redemption, or salvation, is expressed in both the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13). Other major themes are the making of a covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 19:5-8), the accompanying laws which are part of the covenant.
The primary theme of Leviticus is "holiness." God's demand for holiness in His people is based on His own holy nature. A corresponding theme is that of "atonement." Holiness must be maintained before God, and holiness can only be attained through a proper atonement.
Various feasts were instituted in the people's worship of Jehovah God, convened and practiced according to God's laws. Blessings or curses would accompany either the keeping or neglect of God's commandments.
The message of the Book of Numbers, is universal and timeless. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged, for Numbers is the book of the service and walk of God's people. The Book of Numbers essentially bridges the gap between the Israelites receiving the Law (Exodus and Leviticus) and preparing them to enter the Promised Land (Deuteronomy and Joshua).
The book of Deuteronomy was given to remind them of God’s law and God’s power. A new generation of Israelites was about to enter the Promised Land. This multitude had not experienced the miracle at the Red Sea or heard the law given at Sinai, and they were about to enter a new land with many dangers and temptations.
Deuteronomy 4:44-45, “And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt." (KJV)
God Defined His Law to His people for their lives He described His Law for His people in these first five books and now we look at the best part:
III. The Destruction of the Law
The law by itself was not good enough. People can transgress God’s Law, twist God’s law and trying to follow every part and being a total law breaker if you break one is not a life of freedom. So God devised His ultimate plan for the law from the foundation of the world.
The law is necessary because it reveals sin but if we view God as legalistic and focus on punishment and sin we only tell half the story. The law made the Cross essential to the life of a Christian.
Listen to one of my favorite passages of God’s Word: Colossians 2:13-14, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (NIV)
The Cross cancelled the law. Grace out-trumped law and paid the sacrifice for our sins. In the Old Testament a sacrifice was required annually by God’s people a payment for their sins but at the Cross Jesus paid it once and for all. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:8-10, “Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (NKJ)
Leave that up and look at this with me. The law required sacrifices and offerings. But Jesus came to do the will of the Father and took away the first (law) to establish the second (grace).
Who did He die for?
The elect only?
He died for All!!! The curse of sin at the cross was removed from the world.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (KJV)
My sin payment and your sin payment and the entire world’s sin was placed on Jesus on the Cross, He died for all but again as great and wonderful as that is that’s only half the story.
Because if the story ended on Good Friday then we couldn’t live free. Yes our payment of sin was PAID IN FULL at Calvary victory over sin and Hell but life here on Earth is our freedom to walk in Grace because of the victory over spiritual death on Sunday morning.
I’m forgiven because of Calvary but I’m free because the Stone was rolled away. I don’t half to live in the bondage of sin in Exodus because God wants me to walk in the Promised Land He promised and reestablished at the Empty Tomb.
So what do we do with this grace? I mean so many sin so much. People, God’s people fail all the time and yet the Bible clearly teaches that once they trust Jesus they are forgiven. See this walk is a path established by the law first and enabled by grace second to continue. Here’s what we do. We examine these words from John Newton the writer of Amazing Grace.
I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am. - John Newton
Conclusion: The law is necessary because it reveals our sin nature and our need for a Savior. The law pointed us to Jesus. Once we have found Him we understand and praise Him for Grace.
Bible scholar James Smith, “The deeper our experience is of the greatness of God’s grace, the more generous and attentive shall we be to those little things that minister to the good of others.”
When I understand how much Grace has cost Jesus and realize how much Grace He has given me then my attitude toward others will be forgiving and God can use me.
But when I lean toward justice and law then I’ll see others as needing punishment instead of mercy and demand the law be paid by them rather than it’s already been paid for them.
Remember Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (NKJ) Praise God you and I are free.
PRAY
