THE OLD COVENANT versus THE NEW COVENANT (PT 6)

WHAT IS “THE LAW”?

The Law is a broad term that covers the precepts, ordinances, statutes, decrees and commands of YAHWEH ELOHIM (GOD) that were given to Israel through angels and by the hands of Moses. (Galatians 3:19). The Pentateuch (the five books of Moses) is usually called “The Law.”

The Law includes precepts and commands that are eternal principles for all people, but it largely embodies a system of governance, behavior, worship and atonement for Israel. YAHWEH called it “My Covenant” (Exodus 19:5), and it is commonly called the Mosaic Covenant. Since the ratification of the New Covenant, the covenant given through Moses became the Old Covenant.

There were two earlier covenants - the Noahic and the Abrahamic covenants (Genesis 9:9-17; 17:6-10), both of which are referred to as everlasting (age-lasting) covenants.

The Mosaic covenant was not called an everlasting covenant, although there were some individual statutes such as the Sabbath law (Leviticus 24:8) that were age-lasting for the people of Israel.

The apostle Paul called the Law “holy, righteous and good,” and “spiritual.” (Romans 7:12, 14). Elohim (God) gave the Law, and it had a very definite purpose; it revealed the righteousness of YAHWEH; it codified the precepts of Elohim (God); it established worship and provided a way of atonement – a covering for sin. It also brought warnings and instructions regarding relationships, justice, morality, responsibilities, and living.

“What, then, was the purpose of the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.” Galatians 3:19.

“Therefore, the Law served as our tutor to bring us to Messiah, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

So, the Law became necessary because of men’s transgressions. But it also served as a tutor to prepare people, including ourselves, and to bring us to the Mashiach (Messiah ~ Christ). And it was to operate until the Mashiach ~ Messiah came.

As a tutor the Law teaches the holiness and righteousness of YAHWEH; it teaches that sin brings death; it convicts of sin, and exposes the sinfulness of sin; it shows the need for atonement – to need to have sins covered; it shows the necessity of shedding the blood of an unblemished sacrifice; and all its sacrifices points to the Saviour, Yahshua Mashiach (Messiah), the Anointed One – the spotless Lamb of Elohim (God). The Law also highlights both the necessity for, and the availability of, mercy.

So, the Law is good and holy. And yet the apostle Paul says the Old Covenant is a ministry of death and condemnation.

“But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stone, was inaugurated with such glory that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, fading as it was, how shall the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!” 2 Corinthians 3:7-9

Does the Law then kill us? No! It is sin that kills us. As Paul says:

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air…” Ephesians 2:1-2

But the Law condemns all who break its requirements, and it proclaims in no uncertain terms, “the soul who sins shall surely die.” Its conclusion is that all have sinned, and that all stand convicted. In this sense it is a ministry of death. But the Law also reveals the mercy of YAHWEH, and His burden for the salvation of the wicked:

“‘As I live!’ declares the Sovereign Master, YAHWEH, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back; turn back from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ ” Ezekiel 33:11

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