The Law of Moses
The Law of Moses refers to the laws given by God Jehovah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai through Moses. This Law contains a covenant promising that if the Israelites adhere to it, they will be recognized as God’s people and receive His blessings. In Hebrew, it is called Torah (תֹּורַה, law).[1]
The Law of Moses encompasses a broad range of religious and moral regulations established by God for the Israelites, beginning with the Ten Commandments. It refers to the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), where God’s regulations are recorded, or it refers to the entire Old Testament written in Hebrew (some Aramaic).[2]
The Israelites adhered to the Law of Moses as a fulfillment of their promise to become God’s people, viewing it as both their right and responsibility.[3] Around 586 BC, after the Kingdom of Judah was destroyed by Babylon (Neo-Babylonian Empire), the Jews, living in exile and unable to offer sacrifices in the temple, believed that strictly observing the Law of Moses was the only path to righteousness and salvation. This emphasis on the Law has led to an excessive legalism.[4] In Judaism, the Law of Moses continues to be upheld as a guiding principle of faith up until today.
Law, Commandment, and Covenant
The Law of Moses is referred to as the “old covenant” in the context of covenant. In the Bible, law, covenant, and commandment are fundamentally interconnected. When God Jehovah gave Moses the tablets of the Ten Commandments, He said that they would contain both “law and commandments,” and the Ten Commandments themselves are also referred to as a covenant.
- The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” (Exodus 24:12)
- Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)
God’s reference to the Ten Commandments as both the law and commandments confirms that the Ten Commandments are the law and commandments. Furthermore, the law and commandments are fundamentally synonymous with the covenant.
The designation of the law and commandments as a covenant carries significant meaning. God’s laws and commandments are not merely directives of “do this” or “do not do that.” They encompass promises from God to bless those who observe them.[5] When the emphasis is on the directive aspect like “God has commanded us to observe these,” the terms “law” and “commandments” are used. However, when the focus shifts to the promise of blessings for obedience, they are expressed as a “covenant.”
The Old Covenant, the Law of Moses
The Covenant Made With Israel at Mount Sinai
The Law of Moses was established between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai when the LORD God called Moses to the mountain in the year of the Exodus. This law served as the contractual clauses of the covenant through which the Israelites would become God’s people.[6][7] The Law of Moses encompasses a comprehensive range of commandments, including the Ten Commandments, religious observances such as feasts and the Sabbath, and moral and social laws essential for maintaining order (Exodus 20–23).[8] This law was uniquely given to the Israelites and continues to be diligently upheld by adherents of Judaism even today.
The Order of Aaron
According to the Law of Moses, the priestly order in the Old Testament was established as the “order of Aaron.” This system of priesthood required the performance of sacrificial rituals that involved the shedding of the blood of animals such as lambs or bulls, in the sanctuary.[9] The Israelites offered these sacrifices during the feasts such as the Passover, the Day of Atonement, and the Sabbath. Through the offering of sacrificial animals, they sought God’s mercy and received the forgiveness of sins.
The Purpose of Establishing the Law of Moses
Life and Blessing
In the Old Testament era, God promised blessings to those who faithfully observed the Law of Moses. By adhering to the statutes and decrees written in the Book of the Law, the people received tangible blessings, such as family prosperity, wealth, and longevity.[10][11] The Law was regarded as the path to life and blessing. However, God warned that death and curses would befall those who violated His law.[12] This warning was vividly demonstrated throughout the history of Israel. Whenever the people transgressed God’s law, calamities overtook them, and ultimately, their persistent disobedience led to the downfall of their nation.[13][14]
The Law of Moses Is a Copy and Shadow
The Law of Moses, established during the Old Testament era, served as a copy and shadow of the Law of Christ—the system of the new covenant that Christ would later establish.
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
The numerous sacrifices of lambs and goats during offerings in the Old Testament symbolized the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Likewise, the feasts prescribed by the Law of Moses served as copies and shadows pointing to the feasts of the new covenant, which commemorate Christ’s sacrifice.
A prime example is the Passover. While the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, God commanded them to observe the Passover with the flesh and blood of a lamb, which delivered them from their bondage.[15] In the New Testament, Jesus Christ came as the reality of the Passover lamb.[16] To liberate humanity, who had become enslaved to sin and death, He established the New Covenant Passover, which is observed with His flesh and blood, that is, bread and wine.[17]
Additionally, the Feast of Firstfruits, which occurs on a Sunday, the day after the first Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread, involves presenting the first sheaf of the harvest to God.[18] Jesus also became the offering of Firstfruits by being resurrected on Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”[19][20]
Since ancient times, God has been tirelessly working to establish a plan of salvation that allows people to understand the Law of Christ through the Law of Moses, ultimately leading them to salvation. Therefore, both the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ, which is the new covenant, were established out of God’s love to bring salvation to humanity.
The Guardian That Leads to Christ
The Law of Moses serves as a guide to help individuals recognize their sinfulness. It establishes the standard for sin, enabling people to understand what constitutes sin and revealing that,[21] because of their transgressions, they are inevitably destined for death.[22]
What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” . . . Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. . . . Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
Those unaware of their sins lack the desire for forgiveness, while those who deeply recognize their sinfulness earnestly seek the forgiveness of sins. The one who came into this world with the authority to forgive sins is Christ.[23] Through the Law of Moses, people become aware of their sins and turn to Christ, who grants forgiveness and salvation. Apostle Paul described the Law of Moses as a “guardian” that leads to Christ.
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came (schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, KJV) that we might be justified by faith.
God established the Law of Moses primarily to help people recognize their sins. Its ultimate purpose was to guide humanity to Christ, through whom forgiveness of sins and eternal life could be attained. This is why the Bible declares, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”[24]
The Abolition and the Completion of the Law of Moses
As a copy and shadow of the Law of Christ to come,[25] the Law of Moses was set aside upon the establishment of Christ’s law.[26] During the apostolic era, some Jewish believers in the early Church advocated for the continued observance of the Law of Moses, including the practice of circumcision.[27] This matter was addressed at the Jerusalem Council, which convened under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The council concluded that requiring circumcision disturbed the believers’ minds and created confusion among them. They declared that circumcision was no longer a requirement in the New Testament era. Additionally, the council clarified the dietary laws of the New Testament applicable to Christians, effectively nullifying the dietary regulations of the Old Testament prescribed by the Law of Moses.[28]
Apostle Paul emphasized that receiving circumcision is of no benefit and warned that those who seek to observe the Law are severed from Christ.[29] He clarified that the rite required for New Testament Christians is not circumcision but baptism, emphasizing that Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, abolished the Old Testament Law.[30] The law Paul cautioned against was not the Law of Christ but rather the Mosaic Law observed in the Old Testament.
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law [the Law of Moses]), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
When Paul stated, “I am not under the law,” he meant that he did not observe the Mosaic Law. However, he also affirmed, “I am under Christ’s law,” emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law established by Christ for New Testament believers.
No one can be justified by the Law of Moses.[31] Everyone is flawed and imperfect; thus, even when one attempts to follow the Law, it merely reveals sin rather than achieving perfection.[21] Therefore, in the New Testament, Christ established a new law, enabling humanity to attain salvation through His sacrifice. This is the Law of Christ. As a result, the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament has been fulfilled and completed by the perfect new covenant, which is Christ’s Law.[32]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Strong's Hebrew: 8451. תּוֹרָה, Bible Hub
- ↑ Torah, Britannica
- ↑ "Exodus 19:5–8".
- ↑ The London Quarterly Review, E.C. Barton, Vol.27, 1867, pg.166
- ↑ "Deuteronomy 28:1–6".
- ↑ "Exodus 19:3–8".
- ↑ "Leviticus 26:45–46".
- ↑ Jean-Pierre Isbouts, The Biblical World, National Geographic, 2007
- ↑ "Leviticus 1:1-5".
- ↑ "Deuteronomy 28:1–6".
- ↑ "Exodus 20:12".
- ↑ "Deuteronomy 30:9–20".
- ↑ "Hosea 8:1–4".
- ↑ "Jeremiah 44:22–23".
- ↑ "Exodus 12:5–33".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 5:7–8".
- ↑ "Matthew 26:19, 26–28".
- ↑ "Leviticus 23:10–11".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 15:20".
- ↑ "Mark 16:1–9".
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Romans 3:20
- ↑ "Romans 6:23".
- ↑ "Matthew 9:2–6".
- ↑ "Romans 5:20–21".
- ↑ "Hebrews 10:1".
- ↑ "Hebrews 7:18–19".
- ↑ "Acts 15:1–2".
- ↑ "Acts 15:22–29".
- ↑ "Galatians 5:2–6".
- ↑ "Colossians 2:11–17".
- ↑ "Galatians 2:16".
- ↑ "Matthew 5:17".