Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Book of, Laid up in the Sanctuary

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of Moses, also known as the Torah, comprises the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books contain the commandments, statutes, and ordinances given by God to the people of Israel through Moses. The Law served as the foundation for Israel's covenant relationship with God, outlining moral, ceremonial, and civil guidelines for the nation.

The Book of the Law

The Book of the Law refers specifically to the written record of these divine instructions. According to Deuteronomy 31:24-26 , "When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: 'Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you.'"

Laid up in the Sanctuary

The placement of the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant within the sanctuary was of profound significance. The Ark, housed in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), was the central symbol of God's presence among His people. By placing the Book of the Law beside the Ark, it underscored the Law's divine origin and authority. It served as a perpetual witness to the covenant between God and Israel, reminding the people of their obligations and the consequences of disobedience.

The sanctuary, as the dwelling place of God, was the most sacred space in Israel's religious life. The presence of the Book of the Law in this holy setting emphasized the inseparable link between God's presence and His Word. It was a constant reminder that adherence to the Law was not merely a legalistic duty but a response to the holy and covenantal relationship with God.

Role of the Levites

The Levites, who were entrusted with the care of the sanctuary and its sacred objects, played a crucial role in preserving the Book of the Law. Their responsibility included teaching the Law to the people, ensuring that its precepts were known and followed. This duty is highlighted in Deuteronomy 33:10 , which states, "They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel."

Rediscovery and Renewal

Throughout Israel's history, there were periods of neglect and forgetfulness regarding the Law. One notable rediscovery occurred during the reign of King Josiah. As recorded in 2 Kings 22:8-11 , "Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, 'Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the house and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.' Then Shaphan the scribe informed the king, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes."

This rediscovery led to a national renewal and reform, as Josiah sought to align the kingdom with the covenantal requirements outlined in the Law. The event underscores the enduring power and authority of the Book of the Law as a catalyst for spiritual revival and covenantal faithfulness.

Significance in the New Testament

The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of the Law, though it is understood in light of the life and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 5:17 , "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." The Law, therefore, remains a vital part of God's revelation, pointing to the need for a Savior and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 31:26
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it ... passages we learn that a theocratic
man after Moses, who had ... or at least one portion of them) with the law. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... Dio also says, as the Dean there quotes him, from Book XXXVI ... the inhabitants to leave
their idolatry, and entirely to receive the law of Moses, as proselytes ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... of Exodus we have a special introduction to the giving of the law; for it ... The book
of Deuteronomy contains the grand farewell address of Moses to the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... not Solomon seem therein to have broken any law of Moses ... at the tabernacle was equally
forbidden by Moses, Antiq ... copy, or in some other ancient book, cannot now ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... a moment omit chronological matters, with which our book is greatly ... of his sin with
his daughter-in-law Tamar ... Moses lay for seven days in the ark, during which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... Book IV. ... Moses gave the law of circumcision - not, indeed, that it was of his ... from
blind literalism and ignorance of the spirit of their Law, the reported ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... After the Book of the Law was given to the ... of various observances enjoined in the
laws of Moses; but there ... collections, regarded as a part of the Book of Judges ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the ... persons, from
not attending to this, boldly discard the whole law of Moses, and do ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... in Prophecy, and that the Gospel is symbolized in the Law? ... John the Divine, in the
Book of Revelation, shuts up the ... by declaring that the Song of Moses and of ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... book of the law, that had been laid up in the ... as the Samian Pythocles in the fourth
book of The ... Contemporaneous with the law, Moses and Aaron; and after these ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm