The Law: Its Scope and Purpose L. H. Jamison
II. The Scope oi t he i a w . It is complete and full, both in its requirements, Godward and manward. Each commandment is all inclusive in itself, and at the same time a counter- part of the others; e. g., one who fully obeys the first will thereby meet the re- quirements of the other nine. The commandments were first spoken by God from Mount Sinai to all Israel, who were gathered about at the foot of the mount. (Ex. 20). They were after- wards given to Moses, written by the finger of God upon two tables of stone. (Ex. 31:18.)- These tables were broken by Moses at the foot of the mount, when he saw Israel worshipping the golden calf. (Ex. 32:19; Deut. 9:15-17.) Thus terminated the covenant of pure law, and Moses pleads grace for Israel (Ex. 32:11-14.) The covenant was then re- newed with Israel, but now it was law mixed with grace, as is shown by the proclamation of Jehovah's name. (Ex. 34:5, 6), and the provision made for guarding the tables of t he law in the ark of the covenant, under the blood- sprinkled mercy seat. (Lev. 16:14, 15.) These second • tables of the law were hewn out by Moses, and Jehovah wrote the same commandments upon them as were on the first, -which Moses broke. (Ex. 34:1-4; Deut. 10:1-15.) Chapters 21 to 23 of Exodus seem to be test cases for the practical applica- tion of the law, an expansion of chap- ter '20. A recapitulation of the law is r ,given in the fifth of Deuteronomy. The tenth commandment was omitted by our Lord in dealing with the rich young ruler, in order to convict him, who had claimed "all these have I kept." (Matt. 19:18, 19.) Verse 21 shows him what he lacked. He sought eternal life by doing good; t he Lord shows him his fail- ure and impotence. The commandments are divided by Christ into two parts: duties Godward and duties manward. (Matt. 22:37-40.) He here gives a summary of the law, showing what is a f t e rwa r ds stated by Paul that love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:10.) ' In looking into the extent by which the law fulfills the purpose for which it was given, let us consider: (a) The duties Godward. These are given in the first four of the command- ments.
1. The first commandment. (Ex. 20: 2, 3.) "I am Jehovah, thy God, Who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: Thou shalt have no other gods beside Me." (R. V. Marg.) The first part of this command- ment is considered by some as a preface to the ten commandments, in which Jehovah declares His sovereignty, im- mutability and almightiness, thus cloth- ing these "ten words" with His own holiness, justice, and goodness. (Rom. 7:12.) (a) In the first commandment the unity and sovereignty of God are de- clared. He is what He is because He is what He is. Under His various names He has revealed what He is. He is the one Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (1 J no. 5 : 7 ). (Note—The word for God in this commandment "Jehovah thy God," is Elohim, and is a plural noun, thus revealing the Trinity latent in His name,) (b) In t he first commandment all that would oppose the unity and sover- eignty of God is prohibited: Deut. 6:4, 5; Psa. 81:9, 10; Isa. 43:10; '44:8; 45: 21, 22; 46:9; Jer. 25:6; Matt. 4:10; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Heb. 3:12; Rev. 19:10; 22:9. (1) Atheism, the denying or not having a God. Psa. 14:1; Eph. 2:12. (2) Idolatry, the worshipping of more gods than one, or any, with or instead of the t r ue God. Jer. 2:27, 28; 2 Kings 17:29-41; 1 Thess. 1:9.
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(3) 81:11. (4) 22-24. (5)
The refusal to have God. Psa. Negligence of God. Isa. 43: Ignorance of God. Jer. 4:22; Forgetfulness of God. Jer. 2:32. Misapprehensions of God. Acts
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Hos. 4:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:8. (6)
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17:23, 29. (8)
False opinions of God. las. 4 0: 18; Rom. 1:21-23. (9) Misconceptions of God. 50:21. (10 Bold apd curious searching into the secrets of God not revealed. Deut. 29:29. (11) Profaneness, or the treating of things of God with contempt. Ti. 1:16; Heb. 12:16. (13) Hatred of God. Rom. 1:30. (14) Self-love. 2 Tim. 3:2. Psa.
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