Laws of the New Nation

Exodus 19:7, 8

GOD had made wonderful promises of blessing to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and through Jacob to the twelve tribes of Israel, but no code of laws was given until after they had left Egypt. Paul explains that the Law was given because of transgression until the “seed” should come. (Gal. 3:19) To Abraham a “seed” had been promised, and this promise was reiterated to Isaac and to Jacob, and in a general way to Jacob’s twelve sons, particularly Judah. Through this “seed,” all the families of the earth were to be blessed.

This was the important consideration in connection with God’s dealings with Abraham and his descendants. Paul explains that when God made this promise he did not have in mind many “seeds,” but only one, which was Christ. (Gal. 3:16) This “one” seed, nevertheless, was to be made up of The Christ, Head and body—a messianic company, designated by Peter a “royal priesthood, an holy nation.”—I Pet: 2:9

The high honor of being this holy nation could have belonged to the natural descendants of Abraham, as a nation, had they proved themselves worthy of it, for the Lord said: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”—Exod. 19:5,6

Thus did the Lord hold before his chosen people a wonderful reward for obedience. And seemingly they appreciated it, for when the “words which the Lord commanded him [Moses]” were presented to them, “all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” They were no doubt sincere in entering into this agreement, or covenant, but the passing years revealed how greatly they failed to live up to what they had promised.

The Law was designed to strengthen the nation in righteousness, and to prepare the people to accept their Messiah when he came to them, but they failed in this final test. Jesus came to “his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11) They rejected and persecuted him, and at last came the final word of God’s rejection of them as the “kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,” when Jesus said, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38) The opportunity of becoming God’s holy nation as joint-heirs with Christ will never be regained. Israel thus failed to obtain that which he seeketh for.—Rom. 11:7

Exodus 23:1-13

ORDINARILY we think of God’s Law to Israel as being represented in the Ten Commandments, and they are, indeed, a brief statement of all that the Law implied. But the principles of righteousness contained in those Ten Commandments were also set before the Israelites in great detail, calculated to cover practically every function of life, both as individuals and in their association with one another, and even with the people of outside nations. The Lord left little for them to decide for themselves.

This section of today’s lesson contains only a few of these many details, but they are very important ones. They reveal how fully the Lord wanted them to practice justice in their dealings with one another; yes, and even to go beyond the strict demands of justice. “If you meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.” How much this is like Paul’s instructions, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.”—Rom. 12:20

In his sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals how far, through their traditions, the Jews had departed from the spirit of these instructions. “Ye have heard that it hath been said,” Jesus observed, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.”—Matt. 5:43,44

An interesting viewpoint is given in our lesson as to why the seventh day and the seventh year were to be set aside for rest. Concerning the seventh year as one of rest for the land, the Lord explained—“that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat.” He explained concerning the seventh day—“that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.” Thus seen, even the laws governing their sabbaths were designed for the general welfare of the people, and to prevent the oppression of one group by another.

Above all, they were to have no other gods, not so much as to mention the name of another god. This was not because Jehovah needed their support, but it was for their own protection and blessing. His laws were just, and true, and good, and if they obeyed them, and worshiped him, they would have peace and health and prosperity, and would be prepared to enter into the glory of the messianic kingdom when their Messiah came to them.

QUESTIONS

What reward was Israel promised for keeping the Law, and did the nation win that reward?

Cite a statement by Jesus indicating Israel’s great departure from the principles of the Law.

Why was it important for the Israelites to serve only Jehovah?

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