Why Preach the Law? Part Two



2: The Law was Founded on Grace

Chris Wright points out the significance that it isn't until the 19th chapter of Exodus that the first law is written. "There are eighteen chapters of salvation and God's grace and faithfulness before there is a single chapter of law."

Indeed in chapter 19 before God speaks about the Law He says:


"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession." (Exodus 19:4-5)

Here God places the giving of the Law in the context of what He has already done for the nation of Israel. The Law is given in order to enable Israel to live appropriately in response to God's love.

This is reinforced in Deuteronomy 6:20 "In the future, when your son asks you, 'what is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?' tell him: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand ... The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.'"

God asks us His people to response to His grace and salvation by being obedient to Him. Yes there is justice and there is punishment, but it is within the context of God's grace and mercy and salvation.

Indeed God describes Himself as:

"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion ad sin." (Exodus 34: 6-7)

Wright concludes: "We must preach the Old Testament Law on the foundation of God's grace. The Law was never intended to be a means of salvation or a means of earning salvation, but was intended to be a response to salvation. It is the same dynamic ad for Christian obedience."

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