In our study of Hermeneutics, we come to one of the most difficult sections of Scripture to interpret – the Law.
Oftentimes, New Testament believers go too far in relation to the Law – either by expressing strict obedience to all types or by ignoring the commandments altogether as not applying to us. We must find a healthy balance when it comes to interpreting this wonderful section of Scripture.
Download Handout – Session 6 – Interpreting the Law
Facts Pertaining to the Law
- The Old Testament contains 613 commandments.
- All of these commandments are found in 4 of the 39 books – Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
- Within the sections of the Old Testament:
- The Law provided the Law,
- the History reported how well Israel kept the Law,
- the Writings revealed wisdom for keeping the Law, and
- the Prophets warned the people to keep the Law.
- The most repeated commandments are referred to as the 10 Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17).
- Even within the 10, God reveals vertical and horizontal commandments which provides a framework for the other 603.
Different Types of Laws
- Moral
- Some of the laws were created because God had entered into a covenant with the people and demanded they stay loyal to him.
- “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5).
- Some of the laws that seem trivial actually have a deeper purpose rooted in the sin of worshiping other gods.
- “You shall not boil a young goat in his mother’s milk” (Ex. 34:26).
- Some of the laws were created because God had entered into a covenant with the people and demanded they stay loyal to him.
- Civil
- Much of the Law encompasses the civil expectations for the Israelites to behave together as citizens of that particular nation.
- Many civil laws contain the punishment for civil disagreements and the expectations for guilty restitution (E.g., Ex. 21:12-36).
- Ceremonial
- Ceremonial laws are those often translated as “statutes.”
- They include instructions on sacrifices and festivals that maintain the distinct nature of being an Israelite.
- Some of the laws were actually given to protect the Israelites’ diets (Lev. 11:1-2), keep sickness at bay by quarantining the diseased (Lev. 13:4, 46; 14:8), and protecting the spread of germs by strict rules on washing (Ex. 19:10-15).
- All of these practices were far ahead of the science of the time revealing the existence of a wise and caring Creator God.
Reminders Regarding the Law
- The Law is God’s inspired word for you but not all are God’s direct command for you.
- Don’t see the Law as binding on Christians in the New Covenant era except where it is specifically renewed.
- God doesn’t alter his perspective on holiness or mercy between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
- Never forget that God provided deliverance BEFORE he gave commandments.
- The Law provided the greatest guide to recreate Eden for a fallen Mankind.
- Jesus perfectly summed up the entire Law in the command to love God and to love others (Matt. 22:34-40).
- The ultimate point of the Law was to show that it was impossible for us to keep.