It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Change of Law (Part 1)

In the beginning (about 4004 BC), and for the next 2511 years, mankind lived under a law that was not a national law. God, for example, told Noah to build an ark for the saving of his family. Abram was told to leave his father's house and go to a land that God would show him. , However, it was then, and it is now, the "whole duty of man" to "fear God and keep his commandments," as Solomon wrote in the verse which opens this article each week.

Because it is our duty to fear God and keep His commandments, it is necessary for us to know the commands we are to keep and obey. Is it the law of Moses, a national law given to only one nation of people? No doubt, most of the readers of this article would be classified as "gentiles." For that reason, if no other, the law of Moses was never given to us to obey. Yes, one could become a proselyte, a convert to the law of Moses; but that one could never eat of the Passover feast without first being circumcised (Exodus 12:43-49). He would live among the Israelites, most often as a slave.

Is this the way it is today? Is the law of Moses the law we are to obey? A law given to only one nation? Notice what Christ said, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..." (emphasis mine - HL). This is plural, and all-inclusive. Christ's law was not given to the Jewish nation only, but to every nation.

That was a change from Moses' statement to the children of Israel, was it not? Remember the vow the children of Israel made before Moses went up into Mount Sinai? "All of the laws of God we will do." Yet, within 40 days, they were worshipping an idol.

There is another change to consider. Under the Mosaical law, there was a high priest. Aaron was the first, and all subsequent high priests had to be a descendant of Aaron. Today, also, there is a High Priest. Who is it? It is Jesus. Read the seventh chapter of Hebrews. Verse 12 of that chapter tells us since the priesthood is changed, it was necessary to also change the law. Then, Hebrews 8:1: "Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Moses and the children of Israel pitched the tabernacle that was under the law of Moses. But Christ has pitched the one today, a spiritual tabernacle. Next week we will notice: 1-has the law been changed? 2-if it has, why?