Topical Bible: The Scriptures are Called The: Law of the Lord

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The term "Law of the Lord" is a significant designation for the Scriptures, particularly in the context of the Old Testament. This phrase underscores the divine origin, authority, and instructional purpose of the biblical texts. The "Law of the Lord" is often synonymous with the Torah, which comprises the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. However, the term can also encompass the broader teachings and commandments found throughout the Scriptures.

Divine Origin and Authority

The "Law of the Lord" emphasizes that the Scriptures are not merely human writings but are divinely inspired. Psalm 19:7 declares, "The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple." This verse highlights the perfection and reliability of God's law, suggesting that it is a flawless guide for life and faith. The divine origin of the Law implies that it carries the authority of God Himself, demanding reverence and obedience from believers.

Instructional Purpose

The Scriptures, as the "Law of the Lord," serve an instructional purpose, guiding believers in righteous living. In Psalm 119:1 , it is written, "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD." This verse indicates that adherence to the Law leads to a blessed and blameless life. The Law provides moral and ethical guidelines, teaching believers how to live in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Covenantal Relationship

The "Law of the Lord" is central to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged." The Law is presented as a means of maintaining the covenant, ensuring that the people of God live in accordance with His will and receive His blessings.

Moral and Spiritual Transformation

The "Law of the Lord" is also a tool for moral and spiritual transformation. In Psalm 119:11 , the psalmist declares, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." This verse suggests that internalizing the Law leads to a life free from sin, as it shapes the believer's thoughts and actions. The Law acts as a mirror, reflecting God's holiness and revealing human shortcomings, thus prompting repentance and spiritual growth.

Christ and the Fulfillment of the Law

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the "Law of the Lord." In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus states, "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." Christ's life and teachings embody the perfect adherence to the Law, and through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He provides a means for believers to attain righteousness apart from the Law. However, the moral and ethical teachings of the Law remain relevant, as they are fulfilled and exemplified in Christ.

Conclusion

The "Law of the Lord" is a profound and multifaceted term that captures the essence of the Scriptures as divinely inspired, authoritative, and instructional. It is central to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, serving as a guide for righteous living and spiritual transformation. Through Christ, the Law is fulfilled, offering believers a path to righteousness and a deeper understanding of God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 30:9
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... looked on "as the word of the Lord," and "law of our ... practical heresy in our hearts,
which rather may be called atheism"we do not believe the Scriptures. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

St. Paul's Phraseology Often Suggested by the Jewish Scriptures ...
... Phraseology Often Suggested by the Jewish Scriptures Christ Our ... with a heathen, he
maintains a law of the ... although there be that are called gods, whether in ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vii st pauls phraseology often.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... the New Testament," lies according to the Scriptures in the ... Jesus Christ" (John 1,
17.) The law was given ... which is likewise on this account called "the blood ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... We find the critics contradicted in the Scriptures from Joshua to ... I have found The
Book of the law of the ... Four times within seven verses it is called "The Book ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

The Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Verses
... it appertains to a man placed under the law. ... to induce: This quality is there called
"righteousness and ... I am not quite certain whether the Scriptures use this ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/the twenty-second and twenty-third verses.htm

Blessed Prosperity Meditations on the First Psalm.
... Now, forsooth, the Scriptures themselves are called in question, and the very
foundations of ... "His delight is in the law of the LORD; "And in His law ...
/.../taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed prosperity meditations on the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 52, "Therefore Every ...
... explain to you, Beloved, as the Lord shall give ... after the custom of our Scriptures,
called Scribes, those, namely, who professed the knowledge of the Law. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiv on the words.htm

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... of them are the abridgment of the Scriptures,"faith and ... Unbelief of the law of
God,"of his promises and ... called in question, and when once called in question ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

Moses Rightly Called a Divine Legislator, And, Though Inferior to ...
... Book I Chapter XXVI."Moses Rightly Called a Divine ... in Moses, as shown from the
Scriptures themselves, we ... for them, "seeking," and finding by the law and the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvi moses rightly called a.htm

That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are Most ...
... and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most ... These may also be called the
two tables, placed on ... other is the table of the Divine Law, containing holy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xi that the body.htm