Moses and the Law by Rembrandt
The Festival of Shavuot or Pentecost, which is celebrated in late spring or early summer, has many rich traditions associated with it. The Rabbis have concluded that the Law of God was given at Sinai during Shavuot. We have therefore devoted this article to a new look at the Law and its importance for us in this postmodern age.
When Moses stepped down from Sinai with the Law of God in his hands, he probably never dreamed that those tablets would revolutionize the way people would act and think in the future and for all ages to come. There is hardly a civilization on earth that has not been touched in some way by the Law of Sinai. Even godless nations today happily appropriate the principles of that Law without realizing their source or accepting
their author.
THE LAW IS THE BASIS FOR SOCIETY
For many nations, especially those of the western world, the Law of Sinai has become the very basis of their legal and social systems. We here in the US may feel that our legal heritage is in the English Common Law, however it can be clearly demonstrated that much of the Common Law was based on the ancient legal system already in use in early England among the Jewish people. Such concepts as the general release, warranty of real property, dower rights, mortgages, penal bonds, and the idea of government by rule of law or due process, are based on the code of law in use among the Jews, and thus have their roots
in Sinai.*
The very fabric of our society in the US depends so much on the code of law given to Moses. Our laws concerning murder and theft are a couple of clear examples. It may also be pointed out that our ideas of judges, juries, damages, and even the death penalty can easily be traced to the Old Testament legal system.
THE LAW IS STILL IN FORCE
As Christians we often feel that the age of law is ended and we are now in the age of grace. It may be disturbing for us when we see in the prophets that the Law of God will continue in effect even until the end days. Perhaps the most famous passage is that of Isaiah 2:3, “The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” It is apparent by this and other passages that the Law of God will ultimately regulate the nations of earth. God will accomplish this no matter how many times the Ten Commandments are tossed out of our courthouses. The world will finally operate by the “manufacturer’s handbook” as one writer has called the Bible.
We must remember that Jesus himself did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. In Matthew 5:17-19 the Master says: “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
It is amazing how the Book of Revelation describes the Christians of the end days. It says of them that they “obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 12:17). In much Christian thinking, keeping the commandments of God is legalism and keeping the testimony of Jesus is grace. Here the two are beautifully blended together into one. The overcomers of the last day will undoubtedly have a high regard for the Torah
or Law.
THE LAW GIVEN FOR OUR BENEFIT
Why not? God gave the Law, not because he is a cruel taskmaster, but for man’s own benefit as we see in Deuteronomy 10:13: “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but…to observe the LORD’S commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” So, we see here that law is given for our benefit. We don’t have to look far in God’s creation to see that law is everywhere. There are laws of physics, mathematics, chemistry and electronics in effect around us every day. Our universe is a universe of law, and these laws are for our good. Little by little, man has discovered and learned to respect a few of these laws, and what a blessing this has brought!
We no longer have to wait for lightning to strike a tree to have roasted fowl. Now we can turn on the microwave and have it at our convenience. Why? Because we have come to understand and respect certain laws of electronics. So many of our blessings are the products of our submission to the natural laws around us. These laws, as well as the moral laws of the Torah, were given for our wellbeing and benefit. They are a part of the fabric of the universe and all God’s laws are eternal (Psa. 119:152).
Lawlessness, on the other hand is Satan’s answer to God’s law and order. God’s enemy desires to breed into humanity contempt for all law, especially the Law of God. We see this process going on today in most all areas of life. It is not surprising that in the end days when lawlessness shall abound, and all restraint shall be done away with, that the Lawless One himself will arise (2 Thess. 2:3). It is only in the context of lawlessness that he can flourish since the presence of law restrains him. When this Antichrist does arise those who have so supported lawlessness will learn of their terrible mistake.
As we see this day approaching and as we see lawlessness abounding everywhere (2 Timothy 3:1-5), it is well for us to remember this one thing. A proper understanding and respect for God’s Law given at Sinai so long ago can be the key to our protection, deliverance and survival.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and is basically a Psalm extolling the Law of God. In this Psalm we learn that the Law of God will continue forever: “I will always obey your law, for ever and ever” (119:44). The Psalmist says: “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart” (119:111). He says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (119:105); and “my heart trembles at your word” (119:161). At last he exults saying, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (119:165).
May God give us the understanding and the grace to look at the Law of God in the same way as the holy people of old looked at it. May our prayer be the prayer of Psalm 119:18 which asks of God: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
– Jim Gerrish
*See, The Jews, Their Role in Civilization, edited by Louis Finkelstein.
This updated article is presented courtesy of Bridges For Peace, Jerusalem (original publication date, 1986).
Picture credit Wikimedia Commons