Law

Books

• Numbers
• Leviticus
• Exodus/Deuteronomy (Ex 20 -> Deut 33)

The Purpose of the Law

First, we have to understand that the Law is really the covenant or relational agreement that God made with Israel after he delivered them from bondage to Egypt. Therefore, the laws are not to be viewed as a comprehensive legal code.

The Law presents a sample of illustrative cases or topics whose legal principles were to serve as a guide to Israel. Their purpose was to teach the Israelites fundamental values, not to provide them a legal reference. In short, their aim was instructional rather than judicial.

So does this law still binding for us today? It is clear from the New Testament that the Law has ended. A new covenant has superseded the old covenant of Law. However, the Law is not useless, it gives us great insight to the character of God and we can learn from that.

The Specific Contribution to Our Spiritual Formation

Primary Contribution: To explain how God relates to us within a covenantal relationship and how His holiness and Israel's sin could be reconciled through Israel's obedience to the covenant (Law). Within this covenantal relationship, the Law also demonstrates the concrete, practical, and multi-faceted areas in which God's people should obey and be transformed.

Therefore, ask: What does this passage tell us about God and His holiness, about Israel and her sin, and about how Israel needed to obey in order to maintain her covenant relationship with God? Also ask, What specific areas of life does God expect holiness and transformation within His people?

Secondary Contribution: To give us ethical and moral illustrations of godly responses to a wide variety of life's situations.

Therefore ask: Are these areas still relevant under the new covenant as areas I should be concerned about and areas in which I should be seeking to obey God?