The Law of Moses, also known as the Torah, is the foundational legal and ethical code given to the Israelites. It encompasses the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Law was central to Jewish identity and religious practice, serving as a covenant between God and His chosen people, Israel.

Regard for the Law of Moses

The Jews held the Law of Moses in the highest esteem, viewing it as the direct revelation of God's will. It was not merely a set of rules but a comprehensive guide for living a life pleasing to God. The Law covered various aspects of life, including moral conduct, religious rituals, civil laws, and dietary restrictions. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , the importance of the Law is emphasized: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The Law was read publicly and taught in synagogues, and adherence to it was seen as a sign of faithfulness to God. The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish sect during the time of Jesus, were particularly known for their strict observance of the Law and their efforts to apply it to every aspect of daily life.

Rejection of Christ

Despite their reverence for the Law, many Jews in the first century rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This rejection was rooted in various factors, including differing expectations of what the Messiah would be and do. The Jews anticipated a political and military leader who would liberate them from Roman rule and restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus, however, came as a spiritual savior, emphasizing repentance, forgiveness, and the kingdom of God.

The Gospel of John highlights this rejection: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11). The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, were often in conflict with Jesus, accusing Him of breaking the Law and blasphemy. In John 5:39-40 , Jesus addresses their misunderstanding: "You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life."

The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, also speaks to this rejection in Romans 9:31-32 : "but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone."

The rejection of Christ by many Jews was not universal, as the early church was initially composed of Jewish believers. However, the broader Jewish community's refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah led to significant theological and social divisions between Jews and Christians, which have persisted throughout history.Romans 9:31-33
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ...
... Our Saviour, accordingly, while he declares that Moses testified of him ... was formerly
made known to the Jews, as we ... of those who, in comparing the Law with the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 christ though known.htm

Dialogue of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho
... Justin speaks of the law as formerly ... XC.--The stretched-out hands of Moses signified
beforehand ... Chapter CXXXVI.--The Jews, in rejecting Christ, rejected God who ...
/.../justin/dialogue of justin philosopher and martyr with trypho/

Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
... and when the Lord passed by before Moses and proclaimed ... to answer the charge of breaking
the Sabbath law. ... The Jews had the Scriptures in their possession, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 21 bethesda and the.htm

Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men
... Sabbath, which was enjoined by the law of Moses, and that ... This among the Jews, as
it has often since been among ... redeem us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3 ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvii messiah despised and.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
... certainly come on all men without respect of persons; the Jews, too, have no right
to criticize the Gentiles"they had the Law of Moses, while the ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xiii the epistle of.htm

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... So said the Jews themselves, John 6:14 ... 2. There is no salvation now by the law of
Moses without Christ ... by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, Romans 9 ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... The reason why the Jews did not believe in Christ ... did not observe even the plain
literal precepts of Moses. ... and omit the weightier matters of the law, mercy and ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... (Exodus 19:6.) (4.) Because the law of Moses was to be abrogated ... (Jeremiah
31:31-34.) But such as was the law, such were the ... (6.) Because the Jews were to be ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Appendix xviii. Haggadah About Simeon Kepha (Legend of Simon Peter ...
... which he did by proclaiming that Israel were rejected, and the Law of Moses abolished ...
Paul is represented as the friend of the Jews, and as proclaiming that ...
/.../appendix xviii haggadah about simeon.htm

St. Ambrose Returns to the Main Question, and Shows that Whenever ...
... because the Lord's Cross is to Jews a stumbling ... His faithfulness to His Creator,
even as Moses was in ... to offer something, and, according to the Law, to enter ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi st ambrose returns.htm

What should Christians learn from the Mosaic Law? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between the ceremonial law, the moral law, and the judicial law in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

What was the purpose of the Levitical Law? | GotQuestions.org

Law: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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