The Role of the Law in Israel (Then and Today)

The ancient law, given to Moses in Exodus 20-23, and expanded in Deuteronomy, is a strange thing to a modern culture.  Why was it given? Does it have any role for Christians and Jews today?  Are we to obey all aspects of it? (For example, do we pay a fine in shekels for lying about a woman's virginity --see Deuteronomy 22:19?)

A witness to the nations

The answer to this is deeper than one might first recognize.  There were several purposes for the Law.  As explained by both Imes (in her Exodus BibleProject course) and Fretheim (in his commentary), one of the purposes of the Law was as a witness to the other nations.  (See Exodus 34: 10; also Exodus 19: 4-6.) If practiced well, as both a civil code and a religious code of conduct, the Law would make Israel a place of peace and prosperity within the Ancient Near East culture.  The other nations would look at Israel and their citizens would say, "Oh, I'd like to live there!"

The Law was given at a time and place, in the midst of a certain culture, and was a witness to that culture. Although certain principles extend into our modern culture(s), we cannot fit every extension of the Law into modern practice. 

The people of Israel were a people who were to bear the Name of God. Their actions were supposed to glorify YHWH and make Him known.  The third commandment of the Ten forbade dragging His name into the mud by acting as if they were not his people.  Their actions were to be a witness to that ancient culture.  This is especially obvious in the first four commandments of the Ten.

Underlying principles of life

In the ten commandments, the last five commandments, those dealing with our relationships to others, are simpler than the previous commandments. They are expressed negatively, as "You shall not...", but commentators argue that these commands sets an outer limit on one's actions and thoughts. Furthermore, the tenth commandment, describing internal thoughts, suggests that these commandments are more than a set of rules but are instead examples of some underlying principles. Those who meditate on these commandments (see Deuteronomy 6:6-10, for example) should realize that avoidance of murder, stealing, adultery, false testimony and covetousness require positive, constructive steps with one's neighbor.

The leaders and prophets of Israel will emphasis the beauty of this "Law".  The Psalms (see Psalm 1:2) encourage us to delight and meditate in YHWH's Law; one entire psalm, Psalm 119, has 22 stanzas meditating on God's "Word" or Law.  If we are to meditate on the Law, this must mean that there are deeper concepts within it, that the Law is not just a set of Rules. Jesus will elaborate further on this in his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.)

Our culture is built on cultures that went before it; some of those cultures were built on the Old Testament Law and Judeo-Christian traditions. Because of that we may miss a remarkable part of the Law -- class equality.  That is, there was no distinction between the rich and poor. Indeed, it is a capital offense to buy or sell anyone; one cannot kidnap or capture slaves; embedded in the commandments around giving false testimony are clear commandments against bribing someone to give false testimony.  There was no special place for the rich or powerful.  (In contrast, the Code of Hammurabi, written three or four centuries earlier, makes it a capital offense to kidnap the son of an aristocrat (Currid, A Study Commentary on Deuteronomy, p. 25).)

Throughout the Old Testament we will see the Law cited in calls for justice, in prophetic invectives against the wealthy and powerful, against those who abuse the poor.

Return to Eden!

Towards the end of the first giving of the Law, in Exodus 23: 25-26, YHWH makes some promises to Israel conditioned on their obedience to the Covenant at Sinai. The promises are quite strong and the blessings point back to Eden.  If Israel is truly committed to YHWH, the effects of the Fall will be greatly reduced, they will be healthy and live long lives.

Of course, we know the story. At every turn the Israelites rebelled and went their own way, thus also, sadly, harkening back to the story of Adam and Eve.  But the suggestion that it might be possible to return to Eden in some way is a thread through both Old and New Testaments, ending with explicit statements about the New Heaven and Earth in Revelation 21.