The Law

[BanjoPicker]

THE LAW (Ex 12:37-Mt 2:23)

The definition of Dispensation of Law
This dispensation is so called because of the law given to Moses, which became the rule of faith and practice during this period.

The Length of the Dispensation of Law

This dispensation lasted from Moses to Christ, or from the exodus from Egypt to the preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven by John the Baptist (Mt. 11:12-13; Lk. 16:16). It was more than 1,718 years long as proved by the following facts:
1. FROM THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT TO THE ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN WAS OVER 41 YEARS. Israel stayed in Sinai for one year and one month (Num. 10:11-12). Then they wandered in the wilderness forty years after rebelling at Kadesh-barnea, making over 41 years (Num. 14:33, 34; 32:13; Deut. 2:7; 8:2-4; 29:5; Josh. 5:6; Acts 7:23-42; 13:18; Heb. 3:9, 17).

 

[BanjoPicker]

2.FROM THE ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN TO THE REIGN OF SUAL WAS OVER 520 YEARS.
Joshua in Canaan (Jos. 14:7; 24:29) 30 years
Elders that outlived Joshua (Judges 2:7-3:7) ?
The first servitude (Judges 3:7, 8) 8 years
Othniel the first judge (Judges 3:9-11) 40 years
The second servitude (Judges 3:12-14) 18 years
Ehud, the second judge (Judges 3:15-30) 80 years
The third servitude (Judges 3:31) ?
Shamgar, the third judge (Judges 3:31) ?
The fourth servitude (Judges 4:1-3) 20 years
Deborah and Barak, the fourth and fifth judges (Judges 4:4-5:31) 40 years
The fifth servitude (Judges 6:1-10) 7 years
Gideon, the sixth judge (Judges 6:11-8:32) 40 years
Abimelech, the seventh judge (Judges 8:33-9:57) 3 years
Tola, the eighth judge (Judges 10:1, 2) 23 years
Jair, the ninth judge (Judges 10:3-5) 22 years
The sixth servitude (Judges 10:6-18) 18 years
Jephthah, the tenth judge (Judges 11:1-12:7) 6 years
Ibson, the eleventh judge (Judges 12:8-10) 7 years
Elon, the twelfth judge (Judges 12:11, 12) 10 years
Abdon, the thirteenth judge (Judges 12:13-15) 8 years
The seventh servitude (Judges 13:1) 40 years
Samson, the fourteenth judge (Judges 13:2-16:31) 20 years
Civil war (Judges 17:1-21:25) ?
Eli, the fifteenth judge (1 Sam. 4:1, 15-18) 40 years
Samuel, the sixteenth judge, at least 40 years between Eli and Saul (1 Sam. 4:1, 15-18; 7:2-15; 8:1-5) 40 years
TOTAL 520 years

It will be noticed that there are no definite dates mentioned in Scripture for the above listed points 2, 7, 8, 23, so the whole period must have been longer than 520 years. The 450 years of Acts 13:19-21 "until Samuel the prophet" perhaps began with point 3 and end with point 24. This list brings us down to Samuel, leaving unspecified the duration of periods for which dates are not mentioned in Scripture.

 

[BanjoPicker]

FROM SAUL TO THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY WAS 513 YEARS:

Saul's reign over all Israel (Acts 13:21) 40 years
David's reign over Judah and Israel 40 years
Solomon's reign over all Israel 40 years
Rehoboam's reign over Judah after the kingdom was divided 1009 B. C. (1 Kings 14:21). 17 years
Abijam's reign over Judah (1 Kings 15:2) 3 years
Asa's reign over Judah (1 Kings 15:10) 41 years
Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah (1 Kings 22:41, 42) 25 years
Jehoram's reign over Judah (2 Kings 8:16, 17) 8 years
Ahaziah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 8:25, 26) 1 year
Athaliah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 11:3) 6 years
Jehoash's reign over Judah (2 Kings 12:1) 40 years
Amaziah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 14:1, 2) 29 years
Azariah or Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1, 2) 52 years
Jotham's reign over Judah (2 Kings 15:32) 16 years
Ahaz's reign over Judah (2 Kings 16:1, 2) 16 years
Hezekiah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 18:1, 2, six years before and twenty-three years after the ten-tribe captivity, 794 B. C. 29 years
Manasseh's reign over Judah (2 Kings 21:1) 55 years
Amon's reign over Judah (2 Kings 21:19) 2 years
Josiah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 22:1) 31 years
Jehoahaz's reign over Judah (2 Kings 23:31-33) 3 months
Jehoiakim's reign over Judah (2 Kings 23:36) 11 years
Jehoiakin's reign over Judah (2 Kings 24:6-16) 3 months
Zedekiah's reign over Judah (2 Kings 24:18) 11 years

TOTAL 513 years

The 480-year period ending with the fourth year of Solomon's reign is from the entrance into Canaan until Solomon's fourth year, excluding the 111 years of servitude and the three years of confusion under Abimelech. The 480 years then is the whole time of Isarel's security as a nation free from servitudes and civil strife (1 Kings 6:1).

 

[BanjoPicker]

FROM THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY TO THE RESTORATION WAS 164 YEARS

The Babylonian captivity (Jer. 25:11, 12; 29:10) 70 years
Darius the Mede (Dan. 5:31; 8:3, 20; 9:1, 2) 2 years
Cyrus the Persian (Ezra 1:1-4; 3:8; 44:28-45:1) 9 years
Cambyses, the son of Cyrus (Ezra 5:1-6:22) 7 years
Darius I, of profane history (Ezra 5:1-6:22) 35 years
Xerxes, the fourth king of Dan. 11:1-3 21 Years
Artaxerxes (Neh. 1:6-19) 20 years

TOTAL 164 YEARS
The dates of the reigns of the kings of Medo-Persia were taken from the Encyclopedia Britannica.

 

[BanjoPicker]

FROM THE RESTORATION TO CHRIST WAS 483 YEARS:

In Dan. 9:24-27 a prophecy is given concerning Seventy Week. Each Week is a period of seven years, as proved by the last half of the Seventieth Week being three and one half years (Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5). This would make the whole Seventy Weeks to be 490 years, or 483 years to the crucifixion of Christ.
The period of 483 years begins with the commandments to restore Jerusalem unto the Messiah and ends with His crucifixion. It takes in the Seven Weeks and the 62 Weeks of Dan. 9:24-26. It does not take in the one Week of Dan. 9:27. The Seven Weeks of 49 years were for the restoration of the temple and the city. They began with the commandments to restore the city and end with the completion of it. The 62 Weeks or 434 years began immediately after the completion of the city and end with the crucifixion of the Messiah. The one Week remains to be fulfilled in the future when Israel will again be a nation in complete control of Palestine.
The total of these five periods is 1,721 years or more. This age really lasted only to of the ministry John the Baptist (Mt. 11:11-13; Lk. 1:16). Deduct the three years of Christ's ministry from the 1,721 years and the length is 1, 718 years. This makes a total from A dam to Christ of 4,234 years or more. These years plus the 1,915 years since the crucifixion makes a total of 6,143 years from Adam to the years 1949. The years from 1949 to the revelation of the Antichrist, the seven years from his revelation to the Millennium, and the Millennium itself, will make a grand total from Adam to the end of the Millenium of 7,149 years or more.

 

[BanjoPicker]

THE FAVORABLE BEGINNING

Never did fallen man have a more favorable beginning than did Israel at the beginning of this dispensation. The Israelites had seen the mighty power of God doing signs and wonders in Egypt, in the exodus from Egypt, and in the wilderness for over forty years. No race of people had ever seen such miracles before or such manifestations of the power of God. God spoke the law to them in an audible voice (Deut. 5:22-24). He was visible with them in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day (Ex. 14:19-31). He was supernaturally provided bread for them and kept their clothes from wearing out. for forty years (Deut. 29:5; Ex. 16:35). He gave them quails and water and provided for them on every occasion (Ex. 16:12; 17:6). He took sickness from them, and there was not a feeble person in all their tribes (Ex. 15:26; 23:25; Ps. 105:37; 107:20). He gave them the riches of Egypt for their long hire in lieu of wages for the long period of slavery (Ps. 105:37; Ex. 12:36). He gave them revelations and made personal appearances to them and led them to victory over all their enemies (Ex. 24:9-11); Deut. 4:6-8; 5:1-6; Josh. 5:13-15). He led them into a land flowing with milk and honey and promised to prosper them in all things and protect them from all enemies if they would serve Him (Num. 13:27; Ex. 23:20-33). He gave them a complete code of laws governing every phase of human life. He made new eternal covenants with them and gave them promises of blessings that covered all human needs in this life and in the one to come. They had the old covenants and promises concerning God's eternal purpose on Earth with them. They had many spiritual experiences of the gospel. What more could they have asked that would have made a more favorable beginning?

 

[BanjoPicker]

THE TEST FOR MAN
The test for man in this dispensation was to obey the law of Moses in every detail, which included the following regulations.

The commandments Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:1-21. These express the sum of God's holy will in every phase of human life. They are the sum of God's laws, judgments, and ordinances.

The judgments Ex. 21:1-23:33. These express the sum of the relations of men with men in their earthly pilgrimage. These are the more detailed regulations of the social laws that are summed up in the Ten Commandments.

The ordinances Ex. 24:12-31:18. These express the sum of the religious life and worship of the people of God. these are the more detailed regulations of the religious laws of the Ten Commandments.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Purpose of God in this Dispensation
All other dispensational tests had proved man a failure and utterly incapable in himself of doing the will God. In this new age God purposed to give man His will in every detail. He planned to organize a commonwealth of nations headed by Israel and governed by His laws and by men of His own choice. He planned a visible system of worship and a place where His glory could be continually manifested and where He could have perpetual contact with men Ex. 19:3-7; Deut. 28. He further purposed that through Israel He would destroy the second race of giants, the off-spring of the sons of God and the daughters of men born after the flood and defeated the devil through the coming of the Messiah through Israel. He purposed so to bless Israel as a nation and make it to prosper as to become a physical and spiritual example in the Earth of what all nations could enjoy if they would turn from their idols and serve the true living God. His purpose in other respects was the same as in the dispensation of promise.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Purpose of God in this Dispensation
All other dispensational tests had proved man a failure and utterly incapable in himself of doing the will God. In this new age God purposed to give man His will in every detail. He planned to organize a commonwealth of nations headed by Israel and governed by His laws and by men of His own choice. He planned a visible system of worship and a place where His glory could be continually manifested and where He could have perpetual contact with men Ex. 19:3-7; Deut. 28. He further purposed that through Israel He would destroy the second race of giants, the off-spring of the sons of God and the daughters of men born after the flood and defeated the devil through the coming of the Messiah through Israel. He purposed so to bless Israel as a nation and make it to prosper as to become a physical and spiritual example in the Earth of what all nations could enjoy if they would turn from their idols and serve the true living God. His purpose in other respects was the same as in the dispensation of promise.

Does scripture say why God chose Israel to do this instead of a nation in Mesoamerica or Africa?

 

[BanjoPicker]

These were the days when God began to speak to the people by prophets more than ever before Heb. 1:1-3. Before this God Himself came down to talk and intervene personally in the affairs of man at the ending of one age and the beginning of another. God also appeared many times during the different ages. In the time of the Dispensation of Innocence He came down and had fellowship with man in the cool of the day. When man fell, God made an appearance and personally dealt with him, driving him out of the garden and cursing the Earth. He then started man out under the rule of the conscience, under new conditions and new responsibilities. Man continued in the Dispensation of Conscience until he became so wicked that God came down again to intervene and bring judgment. He personally dealt with and talked with man at the beginning and end of the Dispensation of both Innocence and Conscience Gen. 2:15-25; 3:1-24; 4:1-16; 6:9-22; 7:1-5; of Human Government Gen. 8:15-9:17; 11:1-9; and of Promise Gen. 12:1-4; 13:14-18; 15:1-21; 17:1-22; 18:1-33; 22:1-26:2-5, 24, 25; 31:3; 35:1.

There was a period for many years during the Dispensation of Promise that God's voice was not heard. Then at the end of that period He revealed Himself again Ex. 2:23-4:31. From that time on through the Dispensation of Law He sent scores of prophets to His chosen people until 400 years before Christ. Then, after this 400 years, He began to speak to them through a prophet- forerunner and through His own Son Matt. 3:1-17; 17:1-5; Heb. 1:1-3. After the Son went back to Heaven God spoke through His apostles and preachers, enduing them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will 1 Cor. 1:18-31; 12:1-28; Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 2:1-4. This is God's program throughout this age of Grace. At the end of this age of Grace God will again personally deal with the race and will send His Son from the heavens to set up an earthly kingdom to put down all rebellion and rule the Earth in righteousness Matt. 24:1-25:46; Lk. 21; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12; Jude 14; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-15. Grace began with the advent of His Son and will end in the same way Matt. 1-2; Rev. 19:11-21. Similarly, the Millennium will begin by war and will end in the same way Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10.
Thus we see that God is the Great Overseer of all His creation, guiding it to a desired end, until the universe is rid of all rebellion and the rest of society is perpetuated in righteousness forever 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21-22.

 

[groundhawg]

Does scripture say why God chose Israel to do this instead of a nation in Mesoamerica or Africa?

Nope.

 

[BanjoPicker]

God's Purpose in Giving the Law of Moses

God's purpose was that the law of Moses should govern Israel until the Messiah should come. It "prophesied until John" Mt. 11:11-13; Lk. 16:16, 17.
It stopped every mouth and made the whole world guilty before God so that God could have mercy upon all alike: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: THAT EVERY MOUTH MAY BE STOPPED, AND ALL THE WORLD BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD" Rom. 3:19, 20.
It brought to men the knowledge of sin: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is knowledge of sin. . . . . The law worketh wrath: for where no law is there is no transgression . . . sin is not imputed where there is no law. . . . Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound" Rom. 3:19, 20 4:15; 5:13, 20; 7:5, 7-14.
"It was added because of transgression, TILL the seed should come . . . The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" Gal. 3:12, 13, 19-24.
The law brought bondage: " These are the two covenants; the one from Mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage" Gal. 4:24-31; 5:1.
The law was a "shadow of good things to come [imposed upon men] until the time of the formation" Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8:5; 9:1-10, 24; 10:1.

 

[BanjoPicker]

THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW AND WHY IT WAS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST

According to the above purposes of God in giving the law was only natural that it should be done away when it was fulfilled in Christ and after it had served its purpose. That there was a change in the law of God to men after Christ came and that He fulfilled the law when He came is not only stated in the quotations above, but also such is specifically stated in these Scriptures:

"I am come to fulfill the law . . . one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled " Mt. 5:17, 18, "The law prophesied until John" Lk. 16:16, "All things must be fulfilled, which was spoken in the law of Moses" Lk. 24:44, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" Heb. 7:12, "The first covenant . . . was a figure for the time then present . . . imposed on them UNTIL the time of the reformation" Heb. 9:1, 9, 10, "Cast out the bondwoman and her son " (which is an allegory teaching the law was to be done away Gal. 4:24-31), "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (no man is made righteous by keeping it, Rom. 3:19-31; 8:3; 10:4; Gal. 2:16-21; 5:4; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14-17; Acts 13:39; 15:5-29), "he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" Heb. 10:1-9.

The word "fulfill" means completed, brought to an end, expired, and finished in the same sense that many prophecies were fulfilled in Christ and because they are fulfilled, they are no longer in force. They have served their purpose. See the use and meaning of "fulfill" in Mt. 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:54, 56; 27:9, 35.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Three times it is stated in 2 Cor. 3:6-18 that the old covenant or the law of Moses was done away and once it is spoken of as being abolished and that the new covenant has taken it place. What was done away and abolished is mentioned in particular as being "the ministration of death written and engraven in stones," which was the ten commandments, for they were the only part of the written in stones. We are not obligated to keep the ten commandments of the old covenant. We are now obligated to keep only those of the ten commandments that were brought into and made a part of the new covenant. All ten of them can be found in the new covenant except the fourth commandment on the sabbath and this was not made a part of the new covenant because it was special day commemorating the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage Deut. 5:15. It was a special day of rest for the one nation of Israel only and for Gentiles who became part of that nation Ex. 31:12-18; Ezek.20:12-20. Since Gentiles and Christians were not delivered from Egyptian bondage it is foolish to commemorate that day as commanded of Israel. Christians are freed by the new covenant from the Jewish sabbath and are free to observe any day Rom. 14:5, 6; Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:14-17. Early Christians observed the day Christ's resurrection to commemorate their deliverance from slavery to sin and Satan Jn. 20:1, 19, 26; Acts 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2.

 

[BanjoPicker]

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE LAW OF MOSES THAT IT NEEDED CHANGING?

It had a sinful mediator Gal. 3:10.
It could not give eternal inheritance Rom. 4:13-25; Gal. 3:18.
It was dedicated by the blood of animals Ex. 24:6-8; Heb. 9:16-22.
It brought condemnation, not life Rom. 3:19, 20; 4:15; 7:1-25; 8:3, 4; Gal. 3:21.
It could not justify a man Acts 13:39; Gal. 2:16-21.
It could only profit when kept, but it was impossible to be kept by a man in himself Rom. 2:25; 7:7-25; 8:7; Gal. 3:10-25.
It brought all men under the curse and executed them Gal. 3:10-14.
It was not of faith or grace Gal. 3:11; Jn. 1:17.
It was a law of works and bondage Rom. 3:26-31; Gal. 3:10-12; 4:21-31.
It gave a knowledge of sin and made men sinners but could not save them from their sins Rom. 3:19, 20; 4:15; 7:7-25; 8:3, 4.
It brought wrath instead of blessings Rom. 4:15.
It was the same as the gospel to Abraham Rom. 4:3-16; Gal. 3:6-18.
It was only a temporary law Gal. 3:19-25; 2 Cor. 3:6-18; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 7:16.
It could never make perfect Heb. 7:11, 12, 18, 19; 9:9, 10; 10:1-18.
It was disannulled because of its weakness and unprofitableness Heb. 7:18.
It could not redeem and make dead to sin Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 2:16-21; 3:13-21, but it could bring death and condemnation Rom. 7:7-25; 2 Cor. 3:6-18.
It was not made by and oath, neither were its priests made by any oath, therefore both the law and the priesthood could be changed Heb. 7:12, 20-22.
It was not as good as the new covenant Heb. 7:22.
It had a changing priesthood while the new covenant does not have Heb. 7:11-28.
It has sinful priests while the new covenant does not have Heb. 5:1-4; 7:26-28; 9:7.
It had a temporary and shadowy sanctuary Heb. 8:1-5, 13; 9:9-25; 10:1-18.
It had a faulty ministry and a weaker foundation than did the new covenant Heb. 8:6; 7:11-28.
It demanded righteousness but could not produce it Rom. 4; 8:1-4; Gal. 3.
It was faulty Heb. 8:7,13 while the new covenant is not Jas. 1:25.
It kept men from God Heb. 9:7, 8; 10:19-22.
It was necessary by sin and was added and imposed until Christ should come Gal. 3:19-25; Heb. 9:9, 10, 23-28; 10:5-18.
It had animal sacrifices which had to be offered daily while the new covenant had Christ as a sacrifice once and forever Heb.9:11-28; 10:3, 4.
It was a mere shadow of things to come Heb. 8:5; 9:11; 10:1-18.
It could not satisfy the demands of God and could not impart the Holy Spirit or produce miracles Gal. 2:21; 3:1-5; Rom. 8:1-4.
It was made to be changed when Christ should come Gal. 2:19-21; 3:19-28; Heb. 7:11-22; 8:5, 6; 9:9, 10; 10:1-8.

 

[gordon 2]

In other words from the perspective of a spiritual runner the law persuades the runner to run. ( Fear of the Lord persuades to run.) But faith motivates to run. The love of God ( Intimate knowledge of and/or experience of) motivates to run.)

Or from the perspective of an army, the best performance is usually due to it being motivated to fight rather than persuaded to fight.

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It could not redeem and make dead to sin
vs.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

[Artfuldodger]

Isn't it weird that we would be motivated or persuaded to love or believe in God out of fear?

 

[kmckinnie]

Isn't it weird that we would be motivated or persuaded to love or believe in God out of fear?

That fear as you say is for us ! “They” are tight with god and “They” are just spreading the word.
Since it’s the LAW we may end up in jail. Or something that rhymes with it.
Me.... I fear not even tho.....

I noticed the sermons as a child that fear was in the preaching. I was Terrified several times from the preachers actions and tone. Didn’t even know why.

 

[gordon 2]

Isn't it weird that we would be motivated or persuaded to love or believe in God out of fear?

I don't think it is that weird. It is the testimony of some that their spiritual life was persuaded by fear and usually latter their lives gained spiritual motivation due their attention to the truth of our faith.

Also fear of the Lord it is a feature of our traditions or history old and more recent:

Isa 63: 9-10
9In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 10But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Rev3 14-16

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 16So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!…

I understand that there is spiritual issue ( anxiety) with grieving the Holy Spirit, with sin and taking grace for granted in one's personal life as well as for the community in general through out times that conditions a fear of the Lord response. But I might be wrong.

It is as if God purposely gave his Ten Commandments to the Hebrews to fight against them--- because if l recall correctly they failed to learn the lessons of their redemption or of God's love and compassion and how he was afflicted and so acted. They failed to be motivated by God's actions towards them, so he fought against them and so the Ten Commandments meant to persuade and so to fear. Maybe. Maybe a man/woman comes to fear simply due their realization of a stiffened neck.

Exodus 13: 21By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

When the natural road gets rough a man might find a spiritual road to fear.

When you have a cult that offers blood sacrifice and burnt offerings to their God and their God tells them, Hos 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.---you're gonna have serious cases of fear I suspect.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Means of God in Accomplishing His Purpose
The means of God used to further His plan in this age were the completion of the organization of Israel and the establishment of them as a nation, the destruction of the giants in the Earth, the complete victory of Israel over all their enemies, the manifestation of God's glory and power, and the blessing of Israel as a people so as to prove to the heathen that God is the true living God.