Week Four: Day One - "How The Law Fits Into The Story"

Most of the first five books of the Old Testament is made up of Laws that God gave the people of Israel.  In fact, there are more than six hundred (600) commands found in this part of the Bible.  Some seem reasonable to us, while others just make us scratch our head.  For Instance:

·        “Make tassels on the four corners of the outer garment you wear.”

·        “You must not crossbreed two different kinds of your livestock.”

·        “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

·        “You are not to…put tattoo marks on yourself.”

·        “You must not…put on a garment made of two kinds of material.”

·        “Remember the Sabbath day.”

·        “Do not steal.”

·        “A woman is not to wear male clothing.”

·        “You must not eat their meat.” (Speaking of Pigs…Whoa!! No BBQ?)

All of these are commands found in the Old Testament.

Although some may seem strange, they are all part of God’s plan and grand story.  The question remains, are these laws relevant for Believers today? Before we answer that question we must understand how they all fit into the big picture.  In Exodus 19 God gave the Law to the Israelites.

·        Read Exodus 19:4-6

·        Read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17

·        HOW DO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS RELATE TO THECOVENANT IN EXODUS 19?

Many of the Laws that God gave the Israelites were instructions on how to live among pagan people (Lev. 19:19).

·        Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

·        HOW CAN WE LIVE OUT A HOLY SEPARATION FROMTHE PRACTICES OF THE WORLD?

History showed us the repeated times that Israel was unfaithful to God’s covenant.  Because of that they would receive God’s judgment.  Finally, God promised to establish a NEW COVENANT in Jeremiah 31:31-34.  That covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

·        Read Hebrews 12:18-24

·        HOW DOES THE FIRST HALF OF THIS PASSAGEDESCRIBE THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON MOUNT   SINAI?

Verses 18-21 describe the fear that was associated with the giving of the law by a Holy God.  The old covenant demanded absolute obedience to the Law for people to be right with God.  Then, verses 22-24 use beautiful language to describe a relationship with God under the New Covenant through His blood.  READING THE OLD TESTAMENT IN LIGHT OF GOD’SETERNAL COVENANT BRINGS GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE GRAND STORY OF REDEMPTIO