The Rule of Law: First Things (2)

Click here to watch a brief video introducing this week’s study.

“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORDyour God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess…” Deuteronomy 6.1

Before launching into a more detailed consideration of the benefits that come to those who submit to God’s Law as the rule of their lives, we should explain what we mean by this term.

In the Old Testament, God’s Law consists of three parts: the Ten Commandments, the civil laws, and the religious and ceremonial laws (which outline the duties of priests for the spiritual wellbeing of the community).

Following the argument of Hebrews 7-10, we understand that the religious and ceremonial laws, while valid for their particular time and place, do not contain the means for removing sin. Instead, they provided for the people of Israel temporary measures of restoration and spiritual refreshment, administered for the people by the work of priests. The writer of Hebrews insists that, for the purposes of the Gospel, those laws were primarily to be understood as foreshadowing the coming of another Priest, not one from the tribe of Levi, but from Judah, and of the order of Melchizedek, who had his priesthood not by physical descent, but by virtue of an indestructible life.

Jesus Christ has fulfilled all the types and prophesies embedded in the religious and ceremonial laws. He has become a priest forever, above the Old Testament Law, and now intercedes for His people, not by elaborate rituals and sacrifices, but through His own blood. He has instituted new ceremonial laws – baptism, the Lord’s Supper, corporate worship, and the like – which look back to His work in the same way that the Old Testament religious and ceremonial laws looked forward to it.

Jesus instituted a better covenant with better promises, and He rendered null and void the old priestly laws and regulations associated with the Levitical priesthood. There is still much to learn by reading and studying those laws – about the character of God, the heinousness of sin, the necessity of sacrifice, and so forth – but believers in Jesus Christ are not bound to keep those laws in the way that Old Testament saints were so obliged.

Thus, the benefit we seek from God’s Law will come from being ruled, not by the Levitical code, but by the Ten Commandments and the attending civil statutes, precepts, and rules. As we understand and submit to these, according to the teaching of the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles, we find the truth of God that sets us free from sin and its consequences so that we may enjoy, in the power of God’s Spirit, the blessings He has in store for us through His precious and very great promises.

Next steps – Preparation: If you have not memorized the Ten Commandments, spend the rest of this week doing so.

The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of the Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.

We’re happy to provide In the Gates and other online resources at no charge. If this ministry is helpful to you, please consider joining those who support our work financially. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.