“The Law”

Series: A Journey Through the Old Testament [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

June 27, 2021

Introductory Comments:

We are continuing our journey through the Old Testament. So far, we’ve been following the books of Genesis and Exodus. Today, we’ll start covering parts of the Old Testament that span several different books. 

Today, we’ll talk about the Law. Now, I’m not talking about the legal system that we work with today; this does not involve the Supreme Court. No, we’re talking about the Law of God. 

So, let’s pray together as we prepare to talk about the Law of God. 

(prayer)

When we speak of the Law of God, we’re talking about . . .

Law of God: the commands of God, given to His people so that they might know Him and His ways.[on screen]

The Law of God is a good thing! Psalm 119:46-48 says, “I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. 47 I delight in your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes.” [on screen]

Imagine if you were hired at a new job and your supervisor said that you will thrive in this new job and you will do a great job if you only do what you’re supposed to do. However, there’s one major problem: no one showed you how to do the job! That would be frustrating, wouldn’t it! In the same way, the Law of God is a gift to this world. 

So, let’s talk about God’s Law. First, let us discover the . . .

Major Elements: [on screen]

1. The people wandered in the desert for three months before they settled near Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 19:1-2) [on screen]

Remember: the people had just come out of Egypt. They were wandering in the desert and they were getting ready to come into the land that God had promised for them. 

Before the people were to enter the promised land, God needed to prepare them. Among all that they needed, they needed the Law of God. 

These people needed to know God’s ways for them. They needed to know how God wanted them to live in the land and how He wanted them to worship Him. 

It was during this time of wandering that God gave them the largest part of His Law. 

Next, . . .

2. God gives Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) [on screen]

The Ten Commandments are the heart of what God gave to His people through His Law. This is where the Law began. 

Here are the Ten Commandments (you can read them in detail in Exodus 20):

  1. Do not have other gods before God. (no other gods)

  2. Do not make and worship idols. (no idols  )

  3. Do not misuse the name of God. (God’s name)

  4. Remember the Sabbath. (Sabbath)

  5. Honor your father and mother. (parents)

  6. Do not murder. (murder)

  7. Do not commit adultery. (adultery)

  8. Do not steal. (steal)

  9. Do not give false testimony. (false testimony)

10. Do not covet. (covet)

This event was a magnificently beautiful event. There, near the mountain, the presence of God was witnessed by the people. They knew that God was speaking to Moses and by extension to them.  

The people feared God, but Moses encouraged them to trust God. Check out Exodus 20:18-20 (read in Bible)

Exodus 20:18-20 – 18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.” 

Then, . . .

3. Following the Ten Commandments, God gives the people of Israel many more laws. (Exodus 20-40; Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) [on screen]

Although the Ten Commandments are kind of the backbone of the Law, there are many, many, other Laws. In fact, the Jewish people have traditiona