Is the Law of God “Done Away”?
By Carl Dobbs
What the Dilemma Is
There are some Christians that say that the Law of Moses, given to the people of Israel thousands of years ago, is no longer binding on Christians. The law, which Moses delivered, is called the Ten Commandments. They include such words as “Honor your father and your mother,” “Keep the Sabbath day holy”, “You shall not kill.” These are the basic laws that our country was founded on and are the basis of what many would call their own personal moral code. The question is, why God would give his holy law to the people of Israel and then change his mind and say, “Oh, well. I guess you can toss it away now.” It doesn’t make sense when you first look at it. So let’s see what the Bible has to say about it.
First, let us understand what happened from the very beginning and how God looks at his relationship with his creation. According to the Bible, God created the first man, Adam. Alongside him, Eve was created. They were placed in a garden, called “The Garden of Eden” where they had all they needed to live. Their only responsibility was to tend the garden. Their only law was to not eat of the one tree in the garden that was called, “The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” (Genesis chapters 1 thru three.) The penalty for breaking this one law?
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen 2:16 and context.)
The Snake Enters:
So the snake (whom people say was possessed by Satan and was therefore able to communicate with Eve) tempted Eve to eat the fruit.
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”Gen 3:1-5 (KJV)
He also explained it in detail what he meant. After the snake tempted Adam and Eve to eat of this fruit, this is what he said:
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Gen Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen 3:17-19 (KJV)
So God allowed him to live a whole life before he died of old age. Denied eternal life, he was to return to the dust of the ground after years of strenuous work tilling unblessed ground. That was his punishment. Notice here, too, that no mention of eternal live in hell was there. God never told Adam and Eve that anything else would happen to them but death and returning to dust. So the concept that he would experience eternal life in torment would have been against the plain statements of God. This will come into play later in this article.
Notice what his crime was. Before he disobeyed God he didn’t know what evil was. He and Eve saw that the fruit was good to eat and they made the decision that they would decide for themselves what was good and evil. They made up their own minds what their moral code would be. They were also under the impression that making this decision would make them like God with the ability to know what good is about and also what evil is about. They thought it would make them wise. (Read the entire context of Genesis 3). So their crime was to decide to start making decisions (i.e. what is and what is not moral) thinking that would make them more like their creator (or equal to him.)
Now notice this passage from Isaiah chapter 14: It tells us how sin originated and who originated it. It was Satan (the devil, whose name, “Satan” means “adversary.”) But originally this spirit’s name was “Lucifer”, which meant, “Bringer of Light.”
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14 (KJV)
Notice that the snake tempted Adam and Eve with the same thing that Satan Lucifer was tempted with: being like the most High (or, as better translated, BE the most high.) In this Satan wanted to make his decisions about what was good and evil and not have to listen to God.
Well, that explains why he used that thought process to sway Adam and Eve to his way of thinking. At that point, when they began to obey him instead of God, they made Satan their ruler.
After that, their son Cain killed his brother, Abel. Why this happened isn’t important. (In fact, this is not said to be the very first murder anywhere in its context, only that he killed his brother.) Cain knew what would happen to him. The others in community would kill him for the murder. God knew this would happen, not because God commanded it to happen according to any law he created, but that it was a serious consideration. So he spared Cain’s life and told him his only punishment would to be in exile (to the land of “Nod” which means “wilderness.”) (Gen 4:1-16)
In fact, God refused to kill anyone at that time, not even for murder, except for the guarantee that they would all, one day, die and not live forever – that they would return to dust.
But that’s not the end of the story. Cain’s descendant also killed:
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. 21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. Gen 4:16-24 (KJV)
So, it seems, that people were killing each other and that it was generally understood that one would have to beware of his neighbors lest he die by their hand.
What This Meant for Mandkind:
The next thing we know is that the entire world becomes evil. So great did evil reign that God decided to kill all of the people on the Earth but Noah, who built the famous ark.
Now all these crimes were done without any law of Moses. But they were so evil that they were to be wiped off the Earth. (My personal slant on this is that they would have killed themselves off anyway and there was no chance of mankind surviving. This idea is taken from Matthew chapter 24 where Jesus said mankind would, one day, be so evil that unless he returned there would be no life left on Earth. That is when God would finally intervene.) He then made a covenant with Noah, which you can read in the same context as the other scriptures quoted, that tells them that he would never send another flood to destroy all of mankind.
It was only after the flood that God pronounced that it was all right for men to kill murderers.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Gen 9:5-7 (KJV)
It was many years later when Moses came onto the scene. At this time the people of Israel were numbering into the millions. They were situated near Egypt in a land of their own called “Goshen.” They were forced into slavery by the Egyptians. As you probably know, Moses led them out of Egypt and gave them the Old Covenant, which was the ten commandments. This is recorded in Exodus 12 and Deuteronomy 14.
Essentially, the Ten Commandments constituted the Old Testament.
De 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. In fact, whenever the Ten Commandments are mentioned in the Bible, they are always labeled as the Covenant. The Ten Commandments were the ones that were written on the two tables of stone that God gave to Moses. But God’s law also included laws that are contained within the first five books of the Old Testament scriptures, called The Pentateuch, or The Torah, or The Law of Moses.
Now, About The New Testabment:
In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us that
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven Matt 5:17-20 (KJV)
So did Jesus come to destroy the Law? No. He came to fulfill it. While he was still alive, the Law was in effect. It was when he died that it became obsolete. He had no reason or will to destroy what his father, God, had created for the people of Israel. That word, “law,” takes on a really interesting meaning. The law of Moses was to be done away with, but not by nullifying it. He came to finish what Moses had started and to go on from there. The following scriptures should be self evident:
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Acts 15:1 (KJV)
The decision? 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Acts 15:22-31 (KJV)
What explanation is needed? The apostles said that the Law of Moses is no longer to be taught and was no longer necessary. Did this mean the 10 Commandments too? Well, the 10 Commandments were the Law of Moses. They were the ones written in stone and which were preached. The only parts of the Law of Moses that the Apostles thought worthy to retain were: “abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
But did this really mean the 10 Commandments? Read what the New Testament says about this in particular. (Remember that the 10 Commandments were written on tables of stone.)
II Corinthians: 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 2 Cor 3:7-11 (KJV)
There you have it. Yes. The 10 Commandments (the Old Covenant) were replaced by a new, more important covenant. See also the following:
Heb 9:15 (KJV) 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
But read the entire chapter of Heb. 9. This explains it completely. Jesus paid for all of the sins committed under the Old Testament so that the old law had no more power over people. Every transgression that anyone ever committed under that law was forgiven. This is what it means to FULFILL the Law that Jesus said he would do. He fulfilled it by dying.
Read Hebrews 10:
Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:8-14 (KJV)
Yes, the Old Testament had to yield to the New Testament which was based, not upon punishment and death and obedience to law, but on mercy, grace and faith.
Rom 3: 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Notice that the righteousness of God without the law is manifested. It goes on, later in this chapter, to show that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness, not the obedience to law. Read the entire chapter. It shows that Jesus’ covenant is one of faith, not of legality.
Heb 10: 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Therefore God does not allow sin. However, you must remember that the word “punishment” in this verse is very much explained by the same author in the very next chapter. You see, God only punishes for our benefit, for we are his children and wishes to correct us.
Hebrews 10:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us , and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Therefore God does not punish to destroy the one he punishes. The Bible says he is far more worthy of punishment if he sins willfully. It does also say that he does it for our ultimate good and will not do it in the sense of “justice” or “paying for a crime.” We should praise God for letting vengeance belong only to him because he punishes, not like a man would punish, to execute vengeance for the sake of hate. God’s sense of justice is one of mercy and his punishment is purely for love. No, there is no more sacrifice for sin (so what? Only one is needed.) But expecting punishment and “fiery” indignation didn’t mean eternal death either. For God would find no pleasure in punishing someone if it were not good for the person who is being punished.
So notice: If you read this article correctly you’ll find that God had one way to punish people from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, a more organized way to punish people during the time of Moses, and still another way to punish sinners after Jesus became our lord and savior.
The following verse explains it further: This is from the second chapter of Hebrews:
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him ; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Notice that it does not say that neglecting salvation will cause punishment. It says that if the Law of Moses, delivered by God’s messengers and the prophets, was steadfast and every transgression was punished, how shall we escape the punishment if we don’t take advantage of Jesus’ offer of salvation. This is a positive statement. It has the following meaning, “To escape punishment from the Old Testament Law of Moses, don’t refuse to accept Jesus’ salvation!” This is what the New Testament teaches consistently and any thought that you may have that there is a mean, terrifying God whose great pleasure is to see you suffer, then just remember: He didn’t do that in Adam’s time. He didn’t do that in Moses’ time. He certainly isn’t doing in since Jesus came.
You can’t get the complete truth until you have read the entire new Testament. It must be taken as a whole. We must not read “Vengeance belongs to me saith the Lord” without reading the following chapter to show God’s punishment is done with love so that we may repent. You can’t read a verse out of context. The subject can not be completely understood by this article alone. This is not a comprehensive discussion. I just hope it tantalizes the reader to learn more and to watch out for preachers who preach Hell Fire and eternal punishing of the wicked.
I hope this helps you understand the subject of Law and Mercy. It also will stamp out the idea that God allows people to burn forever and ever in a Hell, being tortured day and night without hope. This does not fit into the plan of God.
