Stephen
Terry, Director
The Law as Teacher
Commentary
for the October 17, 2020 Sabbath School Lesson
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does
not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and,
after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
James 1:22-24, NIV
According to popular
understanding the Bible begins with the first five books or Pentateuch, Genesis
to Deuteronomy, often attributed to Moses. Modern textual examination has
revealed a much more nuanced understanding, but the implications are the same,
that nothing biblical was written down from Adam until Moses. There are ancient
texts from other civilizations that echo some of what we find in Genesis. The Hebrews,
however, were portrayed as semi-nomadic shepherds who may have relied on oral
contracts witnessed by others in ceremonies and oaths.[i] There may have been little
need seen for writing things down. But as life spans grew shorter and witnesses
were no longer around to testify concerning those contracts, the need for written
contracts may have become clear. The sojourn in Egypt may have reinforced that
need. During the late 4th millennium BC, the Egyptians developed
hieroglyphic writing that evolved from printing to script long before the wandering
Hebrews came into the country. In a story that parallels Daniel's later experience
in Babylon, Joseph, taken into Egypt as a captive, eventually rises to
prominence, no doubt being educated in the ways of the Egyptians, including
writing, in the process. Other Hebrews likely emulated him and tried to repeat
what measure of success he had enjoyed. But as the conditions changed, so did
their circumstances.[ii]
These new, harsh
circumstances, intended to curb Hebrew influence in Egypt, instead made it
possible for a small child, Moses, to be taken into the heart of Pharaoh's
court and be raised and educated as an Egyptian, a second Joseph in a way.
Losing favor, he eventually fled Egypt to return decades later to free the
Hebrews from what had evolved into enslavement. Chastened with an apocalyptic
onslaught of plagues, Pharaoh agreed to set the people free. Finally delivered from
his grasp at the parting of the sea, they arrived in what is present day Sinai
as a mob and Moses set about creating order through the method the Egyptians
used. He published edicts, many of which are preserved in the Pentateuch.[iii] The people did not all
calmly submit to these laws. Those with more social status and wealth may have
been educated in writing as well, and on that basis challenged the authority of
Moses to be sole lawgiver. But Moses survived those challenges and brought the
people to Sinai. There, according to the biblical account he was given stone
tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments. This law, foundational to three of
the world's great religions, became a focal point for all who would come to
God. It seems important then to divine its purpose. This is especially true
since one of those religions, Christianity, now teaches that the Ten Commandments
is no longer relevant because of grace.
In the very heart of
the Commandments may be found a clue as to God's intent. The Fourth
Commandment, the one about the Sabbath, begins with the word "Remember." That
tells us that something has been forgotten. As we read the Commandments, we can
see that in comparison with society today, many have forgotten the words of
those statutes or no longer care about them. That word, "Remember," tells us
that it must have been like that in Moses' day as well. From Cain's violation
of the Commandment about murder, to Judah's violation of the Commandment about
adultery, the history of mankind was and still is condemned by the Law of God.
Some may, through force of will, try to keep the Commandments. But even if they
manage to observe the letter of the Law, they still stand condemned once they understand
the Law's spirit. The first four Commandments, are grounded in the need to love
God with all our heart, mind, and soul. The last six are based on loving our
neighbor as we love ourselves. Christ pointed this out on several occasions,
and still we struggle to reach that level of understanding.
The sad truth is some may
have strength of will to outwardly keep the
Commandments, yet not have an ounce of love in their hearts for God or their fellow
man. These keep the Commandments literally, but as a burden, and inwardly
lament the load they must carry to do so. Jesus offered a way out for these
people when he said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy
and my burden is light."[iv] This implies that the Law
was never intended to elicit a heroic expenditure of will power for one to be considered
faithful. No, it was only meant for one thing, to condemn us, to point out how
far we have wandered from what we were created to be. Some, upon reading it
will go "Meh!" and walk away, forgetting at once that there was anything to condemn
them in their life walk. But some will read the words, see the righteousness in
those laws, and feel condemnation in their hearts for a life poorly lived.
Unable to live with the dissonance of that, they will seek answers. Those are
hearts that God can speak to.
The Law was never
intended to save anyone. If it were, there would have been no need for hundreds
of thousands of animals to die as part of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
From the beginning it was not provided as a way to salvation but as an
educational tool to show us our need of saving. Even the sacrificial system was,
in the end, not able to save the lost.[v] It also served as an
educational tool that coming back into harmony with God and our fellow man
requires the shedding of blood. Not the blood of animals, and not our blood,
but the blood of the Son of God was to make it possible.[vi] Some would have us believe that
since we now have Christ's blood for our failings, we no longer need the Law.
But they do not realize that doing away with the Law means doing away with the
need for grace, for what purpose does grace have without the condemnation of
the Law. And if grace no longer exists, then Christ died in vain, for his death
is the engine of grace. If Christ died in vain, how miserable is our lot, for
what hope do we have then in the face of the Law? Perhaps therefore some walk
away after seeing the Law. Without Christ there is no hope, and without Christ,
they trust in the only thing left to them, themselves. This can result in attempting to self-medicate the guilt away with alcohol,
drugs, or anything else that can provide some temporary endorphins.
In the strength of
youth, many fantasize about the endless realization of hope they expect to experience
once they are out on their own and can make their own choices about life. But
with years and experience comes a realization that we do not conquer life.
Instead, it conquers us and often leaves us wounded and bleeding, wondering what
happened. We intended for everything to go so well. Even if we can clearly see
where we went off the path, there are no "do overs." As we lay on our beds at
night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, these things come to us and remind
us of our poor choices. Very few who have many years under their belts can "sleep
like a baby." They have been through too much, seen too much. This is especially
true for those of us who have been to war. We know firsthand what has been lost
from our innocence and how dearly we would like to have it back. But just as
the scars in Jesus' hands and feet remind us of the price he paid for our
salvation, our own scars remind us of the price we paid before finally coming
to realize our need of Him. Our scars and our best efforts can only bring us so
far. They can bring us to the Law where we can clearly see those scars in the
Law's mirror. Chastened by our failings, we may then turn to God for healing.
The love in the Law points us there. The love of God then deals with the
condemnation we feel,[vii] and it will do so for every
moment we want it for the rest of our lives. Each time we ask, God will write a
little more of that Law and the love it reveals into our hearts.
Perhaps you have not
read God's Law before. It can be found in Exodus, chapter 20[viii] or Deuteronomy, Chapter 5.[ix] Read it and see if you find
the mirror that reveals your need of Jesus. If you do, he is ready to receive
your heart and waits for you to invite him into your life. It may be the best
thing you have ever done. It was for me.
