When did the Law begin?
(Deut. 4:31-44; 5:6-22; 9:1-6; 10:1-15; 30:10-14; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:21) Blog Nov. 7-13, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Moses began his farewell address with a brief history. Then he turned to the giving of God’s Law, the words of God’s covenant with his people. It was these precepts that would make them a great and wise nation. They were an expression of God’s love for his people, and he desired them to love hm in return. God also promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe and they were to show special care for widows, the fatherless, and strangers.
The Law
1. Since God is love and love is the fulfilling of the Law, when did the Law begin? Since God is eternal and the Law is an expression of who he is, then the Law was always in existence – it has no beginning and no end (1 John 4:8; Rom. 10:13; 1 Cor. 13:13).
2. When was the Law of love first attacked? In heaven, before the foundation of the world, Lucifer, the highest angel in God’s creation let pride swell up in his heart giving him the desire to overthrow God while challenging his Law of love (Eze. 28:14-18; Isa. 14:12-15).
3. How did the Apostle Paul say that he learned about pride? Paul wrote that he didn’t realize his pride until he understood the commandment that says, “Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:7).
4. According to Romans 5 when was God’s Ten Commandment law first known on earth? It was God’s Law that Adam and Eve broke for it existed on earth since creation (Rom. 5:12-14).
5. What cannot exist where there is no law? Where there is no law, sin cannot exist, for sin is the transgression of the law (Rom. 3:20; 5:13; 1 John 3:4).
6. With what kind of behavior is the law satisfied? The Law is satisfied with nothing less than perfect, wholehearted obedience (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 5:48; Rom. 2:13).
7. In the book of Deuteronomy what is Moses trying to emphasize about God’s Law? Moses, throughout Deuteronomy, is emphasizing the need for God’s people to continually rehearse and put in practice the principles of God’s Commandments (Deut. 17:18-20; 28:58-59; 31:12; 32:46).
Grace
8. What is grace? “Grace” is to be considered better than one deserves (Gen. 33:8-10; Ruth 2:10).
9. In the Bible, who is first mentioned as finding grace in the eyes of the Lord? Noah is the first person mentioned in the Bible as finding grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8).
10. When was grace first manifest on earth? Grace was first manifest when sin entered this earth (Rom. 5:19-20).
11. As Moses rehearses God’s leading and laws to his people what illustration of grace does he mention? After reminding God’s people of his guidance and Law, Moses mentions that should they disobey and go astray God in mercy would hear them if they cried to him. Then he outlines God’s plan for cities of refuge which would provide gracious protection for anyone guilty of shedding blood (Deut. 4:29-31;41-42).
12. What was to become of the manslayer who sought refuge in a city of refuge. The manslayer was to receive a trial in which the high priest was his defender and judge (Num. 35:10-34; Deut. 17:9-12).
13. What would happen to the guilt-free manslayer who was required to live in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, if he went out of the city? The manslayer would be liable to be killed by the revenger of blood (Num. 35:25-28).
14. Who are guilty of the blood of Jesus and where may they hide? We all are guilty of the blood of the Son of God and our only hope is to hide in Jesus, our city of refuge (Rom. 5:12; Phil. 3:9).
15. How did God demonstrate his grace to Israel before declaring his commandments on Mount Sinai? God considered the descendants of Abraham better than they deserved by choosing them and delivering them from Egypt. That was grace before law (Deut. 4:31-35).
16. When Israel sinned grievously, how did God show them grace? God showed Israel grace by forgiving their sin and going with them to the promised land (Ex. 33:12-17).
17. How does Deuteronomy 9:1-6 teach grace? Deuteronomy 9:1-6 teaches that God’s salvation is not given because of our righteousness but because of God’s grace (Deut. 9:1-6; 2 Tim. 1:9).
18. What gracious result does obedience to God’s Law bring? Obedience to God’s Law brings only good to us (Deut. 10:12-13).
The Kiss
19. If God’s character, his Law, requires perfect, wholehearted obedience, what must human beings possess in order to render such obedience to God? We must have holy, sinless natures in order to render perfect obedience to God (Deut. 5:29; Psa. 81:12).
20. When do believers in Jesus receive a sinless, holy nature? Believers in Jesus receive a sinless nature when they believe but their sinful, carnal nature is not removed until glorification. So, sinless living will not be attained until glorification (Rom. 7:22-25; 8:17-23; 1 Cor. 15:54; 2 Pet. 1:4).
21. When did grace and Law kiss each other? Grace and truth kissed each other at the cross for by his death Jesus opened grace to every sinner and by his life and death he satisfied every demand of God’s holy Law (Psa. 85:10).
22. If grace and Law kissed at the cross, what does that mean for us? When grace and Law kissed at the cross the door was opened for all who accept Jesus to live under the covenant of grace having fulfilled the Law in Christ (Gal. 2:21).
23. What has God done for us when we deserved it not? In the person of Jesus Christ he has lived a perfect substitutionary life & died a ransom for our sins while we were yet rebels (Rom. 5:8).