The Law of God Miscellanies (17)

“You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18.4, 5

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” Deuteronomy 4.5, 6

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the LORD’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And peoples shall flow to it.
Many nations shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Micah 4.1, 2

Reflect and discuss.
1.  When are the “latter days” (“last” days)? How did Peter understand that idea (Acts 2.14-17)?

2.  Churches today are not held in as high esteem as in previous generations. Why do you suppose this is so?

Think about it.
God intended Israel to be a distinctive people, different from all the unbelieving peoples among whom they lived. By keeping His Law, they would demonstrate a measure of wisdom and understanding that would be the envy of all the nations. We get a glimpse at what this was supposed to look like in 1 Kings 10.1-25.

But because the people of Israel did not have a heart for God or His Law (Deut. 5.29), they were never able to realize their calling or the promise of God’s covenant, that they should be a blessing to all the nations of the earth (Gen. 12.1-3). The day of having a heart for God and becoming a distinctive people would have to await the giving of the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 36.26, 27).

While God’s people will always experience areas of overlap with unbelieving cultures – because of the operations of God’s common grace – God intends us to show in every area of our lives how knowing Him makes us different. God’s Law provides the footprint for a culture and society where love, justice, decency, civility, and fruitfulness can abound. 

Micah’s vision of the “latter days” foresees a time when the people of God would carry His Law, in all their words and deeds, into every area of society and culture. In every area of their lives, they would demonstrate such wisdom and understanding, and relate to people with such self-denying love, that the effect would be for “many nations” to “flow” into the Lord’s house – into His Church.

But where is that happening? Our neglect of the Law of God has compromised our witness for Jesus. There is little about us in the way of wisdom, understanding, or love to attract the unbelieving world. We have lost our distinctiveness, at least, that distinctiveness which God intends for us.

The promise of the New Covenant is life in Jesus Christ. He has fulfilled all the Law, both by bearing its wrath against our sin and by fulfilling all its righteous demands. We do not need to keep the Law in order to be saved. Rather, because we are saved, we turn to the Law to help us along the path of wisdom, understanding, love, and full and abundant life in Jesus Christ. 

And as we do, our light shines, our salt makes savory, and our leaven wields transforming power. And people will flow up to the mountain of the Lord’s house, seeking wisdom, understanding, and love from Him.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Are wisdom, understanding, and love the sort of things people are seeking in our day? Explain.

2.  Meditate on Deuteronomy 30.1-10 and Ezekiel 36.26, 27. How would you describe the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Law of God? Can we expect fruit from the Spirit’s indwelling presence apart from the Law of God (cf. Rom. 8.5-9)? Explain.

3.  How does living according to God’s Law make a person “distinctive” in his or her daily life and work?

“This evangelical law and apostolic preaching began with Jerusalem as with a fountain and traveled across the whole world, offering irrigation to those who made their approach with faith. It is also possible to see the divine houses situated in the middle of cities, villages, fields and remote areas, conspicuous for their size and beauty, so that they are illustrious and famous even on the highest mountains.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

Pray Psalm 125.1-5.
The writer of Hebrews says we have come to this holy mountain when we come to Jesus and His Church (Heb. 12.22-24). Let this psalm lead you to pray for the churches in your community.

Psalm 125.1-5 (St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem, 
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land; 
Sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand.  
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress, 
Ever shall His favor on this holy city rest. 
Refrain

Lord, do good and care for those upright in heart. 
All who turn to evil shall from You depart. 
Sinful men may increase; send them, Lord, to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.