Topical Bible: Israel: The Law Delivered To

◄ Israel: The Law Delivered To ►

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The delivery of the Law to Israel is a pivotal event in biblical history, marking the establishment of the Israelites as a covenant people under Yahweh. This event is primarily recorded in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, where God provides Moses with the Law on Mount Sinai. The Law, often referred to as the Mosaic Law, encompasses moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations intended to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God and with one another.

The Context of the Law

Following the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites journeyed to Mount Sinai, where they encamped at the base of the mountain. It is here that God called Moses to ascend the mountain to receive the Law. The giving of the Law is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishing their descendants as a chosen nation. The Law serves as a foundation for the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as expressed in Exodus 19:5-6 : "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

The Ten Commandments

At the heart of the Law are the Ten Commandments, which are delivered directly by God to the people in Exodus 20:1-17. These commandments form the moral core of the Law, addressing the Israelites' duties to God and to each other. The first four commandments focus on the Israelites' relationship with God, emphasizing monotheism, reverence, and worship. The remaining six commandments address interpersonal relationships, promoting justice, fidelity, and respect within the community.

The Book of the Covenant

Following the Ten Commandments, God provides additional laws and ordinances, often referred to as the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22–23:33). These laws cover various aspects of daily life, including social justice, property rights, and religious observances. The Book of the Covenant underscores the importance of holiness and justice, reflecting God's character and His desire for Israel to be a distinct and righteous nation.

The Ceremonial and Sacrificial Laws

The Law also includes detailed instructions for worship and sacrifice, primarily found in the book of Leviticus. These laws establish the priesthood, the tabernacle, and the sacrificial system, which are central to Israel's worship and atonement practices. Leviticus 17:11 highlights the significance of blood in the sacrificial system: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."

The Civil and Social Laws

In addition to religious and moral laws, the Mosaic Law includes civil and social regulations designed to govern the community's daily life. These laws address issues such as marriage, inheritance, and justice, ensuring that the society functions in a manner that reflects God's righteousness and compassion. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 emphasizes the importance of justice: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

The Purpose and Significance of the Law

The Law serves multiple purposes: it reveals God's holiness and the standard of righteousness required of His people, it exposes human sinfulness and the need for atonement, and it sets Israel apart as a nation dedicated to God. The Law is not merely a set of rules but a means by which Israel can maintain a covenant relationship with God, reflecting His character to the surrounding nations. As Deuteronomy 4:6-8 states, "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and 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.'"

The Law and the New Covenant

While the Law was given specifically to Israel, its principles and moral teachings continue to hold significance for Christians. The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ fulfills the Law, embodying its righteousness and offering a new covenant through His death and resurrection. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:4 , "Christ is the end of the Law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes." Through Christ, believers are called to uphold the spirit of the Law, living lives marked by love, justice, and holiness.

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Exodus 20:1
And God spoke all these words, saying,
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Exodus 21:1
Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.
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Exodus 22:1
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
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Exodus 23:1
You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
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Exodus 24:1-4
And he said to Moses, Come up to the LORD, you, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship you afar off.
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Leviticus 25:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses in mount Sinai, saying,
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Leviticus 26:1
You shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither raise you up a standing image, neither shall you set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the LORD your God.
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Leviticus 27:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
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Library

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... give the transcript of the book of the law, it will ... Its first excellence is, that
God delivered it by the ... who were sent to the children of Israel, viz., Moses ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... The promise was confined within the boundaries of "the commonwealth of Israel,"
from which ... The condition of the law, therefore, as it was delivered to Adam ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
... He 'delivered' them over, or, as the next clause says still ... The rate of Israel's
conquest was determined by Israel's faithful adherence ... That is a standing law. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/israels obstinacy and gods patience.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into ... the king had heard the
words of the law, that he ... for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... of the law which was delivered to Moses on the top of Sinai? Did he picture to them
the exceeding fearfulness and quaking of the leader of Israel's host when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

The Law of the New Kingdom
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 60 The Law of the New ... For He shall be delivered unto the
Gentiles, and shall ... to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 60 the law of.htm

The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
... shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book ... the words of
the book of the law, that he ... them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the rediscovered law and its.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... "And Moses wrote this law and delivered it unto the priests and unto all the elders
of Israel." What became of that writing of Moses? Was it lost? ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

Deuteronomy.
... the last words of Moses which were likely delivered during the ... law, but rather an
application of the law in view of the new conditions Israel would meet ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter v deuteronomy.htm

The Judges Said: Speak to those Points, Archelaus, which He Has ...
... of Israel, and had brought into their memory all the requirements of the law, and
all that it behoved men to observe and do under it, and when he delivered ...
/.../30 the judges said speak.htm