THE LAW OF MOSES. By the phrase law of Moses is meant all that was revealed through Moses. The New Testament treats it with great fulness and perpiscuity:

      (1). Typical aspects. The law of Moses was only the shadow of good things to come (Col., 2:17; Heb., 10:1).

      (2). Fulfillment. Jesus Christ declared His intention [209] to fulfill every word of the law (Matt., 5:17, 18), and He did it (Luke, 24:44).

      (3). Its weakness. The law could not, (a) bring about justification (Acts, 13:39); (b) produce righteousness (Gal., 2:21); (c) produce life (Gal., 3:21); (d) bring about perfection (Heb., 7:19); (e) or free the conscience from a knowledge of sin (Heb., 10:1-4).

      (4). Impossible for all men to keep it. The law was given to and for Israel only (Exod., 19:1-20:17; Mal., 4:4; John, 1:1-17). Take two proofs of this: (a) All the males of the Hebrews were commanded to appear before the Lord at a designated place three times a year (Exod., 23:14-17; 12:4-16); (b) those to whom the law was given were commanded, on penalty of death, not to kindle a fire throughout their habitation on the sabbath day (Exod., 35:1-3).

      (5). Abolishment of the law. It is declared, (a) that the law is abolished (II. Cor., 3:6-13; Eph., 2:15); (b) that Christ is the end of the law (Rom., 10:4); (c) that it was the ministration of death (Exod., 32:1-28), and that it is "done away (II. Cor., 3:7);" (d) that Jesus took away the first that He might establish the second (Heb., 10:5-9); (e) that it was nailed to the cross (Col., 2:14-16); (f) that those who had been under it had been delivered from it (Rom., 7:6); (g) that they were dead to it (Rom., 7:4); (h) that they were not under the law, but under grace (Rom., 6:14); (i) that they were no longer under the schoolmaster (Gal., 3:24, 25); (j) that they were not required to serve the law (Acts, 15:1-24; Gal., 3:19); (k) that the Christian who sought justification under [210] the law had fallen from grace (Gal., 5:4); (l) and that now the righteousness of God is revealed without the aid of the law (Rom., 3:21, 22).

      (6). Contrasted with the Gospel. The law was intended for one nation--Israel (Exod., 20:1-17; Mal., 4:4); the gospel of Christ is intended for the whole creation (Matt., 28:18-20; Mark, 16:15, 16). The first covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals (Exod., 24:6-8), the new covenant was dedicated with the blood of Jesus Christ (I. Pet., 1:18, 19). The first institution was administered by frail men--the Levites (Lev., 16:1-34; Heb., 7:11-23); the second is administered by Jesus Christ, who was made priest, not by carnal commandment but "after the power of an endless life (Heb., 7:16)." Circumcision in the flesh was a sign of the first (Gen., 17:1-14; Lev., 12:1-13); circumcision in the heart and spirit is the sign of the second (Rom., 2:25). The law of Moses guaranteed to the obedient Hebrews temporal blessings (Deut., 28:1-6); the gospel of Christ guarantees spiritual blessings to those who live up to its requirements (I. Pet., 1:4). The law of Moses guaranteed to the Hebrews the land of Canaan (Deut., 30:5-10); the gospel guarantees eternal life beyond the grave to those who honor the Lord (I. John, 5:20). The law of Moses required obedience to the one true God (Exod., 20:1-5); the gospel emphasizes the Fatherhood of God (Matt., 6:9); the law of Moses prohibited the people from taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exod., 20:7); the gospel requires that out communications be "yea" and "nay," declaring that [211] everything beyond is evil (Matt., 5:37). The Law of Moses required the Hebrews to remember the Sabbath day (Exod., 20:8-11); in apostolic times, the people of God remembered the Savior in the feast that He ordained (Matt., 26:26-30; I. Cor., 11:23-29) on the first day of the week (Acts, 20:7). The law of Moses required children to honor their parents (Exod., 20:12); the gospel requires children to obey their parents in the Lord (Eph., 6:1-4). The law of Moses prohibited murder (Exod., 20:13); the gospel prohibits hatred (I. John, 3:15). The law of Moses forbade adultery (Exod., 20:14); the gospel prohibits even lust (Matt., 5:28). The law of Moses prohibits stealing (Exod., 20:15); the gospel prohibits stealing and requires benevolence (Eph., 4:28). The law of Moses forbade the bearing of false witness (Exod., 20:16); the gospel requires us to speak the truth in love (Eph., 4:15). The law of Moses prohibited covetousness (Exod., 20:17); the gospel requires us to do good unto men according to our opportunities (Gal., 6:10), and love our neighbors as ourselves (Rom., 13:10).

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