Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Given by Disposition of Angels

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of Moses, also known as the Mosaic Law, is a foundational component of the Old Testament, encompassing the commandments, statutes, and ordinances given by God to the people of Israel through His servant Moses. This body of law is primarily contained within the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch or the Torah. The Law of Moses serves as a covenantal framework that defines the relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel.

Divine Origin and Mediation

The Law is divinely originated, as it was given by God Himself. However, the New Testament provides additional insight into the mediation process of the Law's delivery. In Acts 7:53, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, addresses the Sanhedrin, stating, "You who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it." This passage suggests that angels played a role in the transmission of the Law to Moses. Similarly, the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, affirms this angelic involvement: "Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions until the arrival of the Seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator" (Galatians 3:19).

Purpose and Function

The Law of Moses serves multiple purposes within the biblical narrative. It acts as a moral, ceremonial, and civil guide for the Israelites, setting them apart as a holy nation dedicated to God. The moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, provide ethical guidelines that reflect God's holy character. The ceremonial laws include instructions for worship, sacrifices, and rituals that foreshadow the coming of Christ. The civil laws govern the social and judicial aspects of Israelite life, ensuring justice and order within the community.

The Role of Angels

The involvement of angels in the giving of the Law underscores the sacredness and divine authority of the commandments. Angels, as messengers and servants of God, are often depicted in Scripture as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. Their participation in the delivery of the Law highlights the heavenly origin and the seriousness with which the Law was to be regarded by the Israelites.

The Law and the New Covenant

While the Law of Moses was central to the Old Covenant, the New Testament reveals its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Law's purpose was to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior. In Romans 10:4, Paul writes, "Christ is the end of the law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes." The Law, therefore, serves as a tutor leading to Christ, who fulfills its righteous requirements and establishes a New Covenant based on grace and truth.

Continuity and Discontinuity

The Law of Moses remains a critical component of biblical theology, providing insight into God's character and His expectations for holiness. While Christians are not bound by the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Law, the moral principles continue to inform Christian ethics and conduct. The Law's role in redemptive history is a testament to God's unchanging nature and His desire for a people set apart for His glory.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:53
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Old Law was Given through the Angels?
... written (Ex.33:11): "The Lord spoke to Moses face to ... said (Gal.3:19) that the Law
was "given [Vulg.: 'ordained ... Acts 7:53): "(Who) have received the Law by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law was 3.htm

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
... and unspeakable manner in the angels, by whose disposition the Law itself was given.
And hence He said in the Gospel, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

Hebrews xii. 18-24
... Moses, I suppose ... For it was the "voice" of Him who "then" gave the Law, which "shook
the ... the charity [3448] is not shown by the measure of what is given, but by ...
/.../homily xxxii hebrews xii 18-24.htm

Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... received a law by the disposition of Angels, and have not kept it." ( Acts 7:53.)
And everywhere he saith it was given by angels. Some indeed say that Moses is ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii hebrews i 8-jun.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... They wickedly extinguished the light which He had given them, because they were
not willing to give up their ... He received through Moses the law of God ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... of life, the Lord explained that every unjust disposition to injure ... of primitive
times by His additions, nor destroyed the law given to Moses by opposite ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

The Author and the End of Theology
... He whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God." (John 3:34.) With this the saying
of the Baptist agrees, "The law was given by Moses, but grace and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration ii the author and.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... and the chanting of hymns"eg, of Moses and Miriam ... 4. The reading of the law and the
prophets was now ... A Latin translation of it is given in Renaudot's Collectio ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... It is not required in the law of Moses relating to ... but moving way; so it appears
to be king Agrippa's own speech, and to have been given Josephus by Agrippa ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

An Unalterable Law
... of the law, which the Lord commanded Moses, some of ... What if drunkenness be given
up, and temperance become the ... soul of Jesus the sword of the law pierced, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm