Lesson No. 3. The Law of Moses--Abolished--Why? Two Laws Given at Mount Sinai
  Does Paul contradict himself concerning the Law? If there were only one law referred to, then he most certainly contradicts himself. For proof let us compare some quotations from his letters to the churches. To the Romans he wrote, "Wherefore the Law is holy, and the Commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12). To the Colossians: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross" (Colossians 2:14). Can the same Code of Law be "holy, just and good" and at the same time be "against us" and "contrary to us?" That is not possible. In Ephesians 2:15 we quote, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances." And in Romans 3:31, "Do we then make void the Law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the Law." Can the same Law be abolished by Christ and at the same time be established by faith in Christ? Other quotations could be given from the New Scriptures which show that there were at least two laws recognized back there--the one having fulfilled its purpose ended at the death of Christ, while the other one is still holy, just and good--to give a knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). The one is a perfect Law by which we are to be judged (James 2:10-12), "the Law of Liberty" (James 1:23-25), while the other was called a "yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1-5). Write for our other literature on God's Law.
  Paul does not contradict himself but recognized that there were two laws given at Mt. Sinai: the one "by Moses" and the other (the Perfect Law), the Ten Commandments by God. It is a dangerous error to teach that Jesus abolished the Ten Commandments. Many honest souls have been taught this error. The purpose of this booklet is to show that it was the "law of commandments, contained in ordinances" found in the book of the law of Moses, and not the Ten Commandments, that was abolished by Jesus.

Two Laws Given

  First let us establish the fact from the Bible that there were two separate laws given at Mt. Sinai in the days of Moses. Let us deal with the Ten Commandments first. Note the following facts about the Ten Commandments.
  1. God declared these Precepts with a great voice and all the assembly of Israel heard them. "And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words . . . And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even Ten Commandments; . . . " (Deuteronomy 4:12,13). "These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the Mount out of the midst of the fire . . .with a great voice: and He added no more" (Deuteronomy 5:22).
  2. God wrote this Law on two tables of stone with His own finger. "And He wrote them upon two tables of stone" (Deuteronomy 4:13). "And the Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God . . . " (Deuteronomy 9:10). "And He wrote on the table, according to the first writing, the Ten Commandments which the Lord spake unto you in the Mount . . ." (Deuteronomy 10:1-4; Exodus 31:18).
  3. These Ten Precepts were a complete Law. God "added no more" (Deuteronomy 5:22), and God calls them, "A Law which I have written . . ." (Exodus 24:12).
  4. Moses himself placed this Law, written on two tables of stone by the finger of God, "in the Ark" (Deuteronomy 10:1-5). "And I turned myself and came down from the Mount, and put the tables in the ark which I have made; and there they be as the Lord commanded me."
  Now get the above facts in your mind before we consider the other law that was given at that time. Two Laws were given at that time. The facts concerning the Ten Commandments are (1) God declared and all Israel heard the voice declaring this Law. (2) God wrote this Law with His own finger on two tables of stone. (3) The Ten Precepts were a complete Law, for God "added no more" and calls them "a Law". (4) Moses broke the first tables, but God wrote the same words  on the second tables of stone and Moses placed the second tables of stone in the ark as God commanded. There we have one Law, the Ten Commandments, placed in the Ark by the hand of Moses after being written by God Himself on two tables of stone.

The Added Law Given By Moses

  Having established the fact that the Ten Commandments were given by God without a mediator--that is, He declared them with His own voice and wrote them with His own finger on tables of stone--we are ready to give Bible proof that "the law of Moses" is a separate and distinct law "added because of transgression" (or sin) of the Ten Commandments (Galatians 3:10,19). "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). What law was given by Moses? "Hilkiah the priest found a book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses" (2 Chronicles 34:14). This is positive proof that it was the "book of the law," and not the Ten Commandments, that was given by Moses. The "added" law in Galatians 3:19 is called "the book of the Law" in verse 10. This "book of the law" which was "given by Moses" is referred to throughout Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. Remember it was this "book of the law," and not the Ten Commandments, that Paul was speaking of in his rebuke for going back to the "works of the law" (Galatians 3:2,10). This added law, called "the book of the law," was called "a schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:25).
  Did God give a law by the hand of Moses? Yes, He did. After telling us that God declared and wrote the Ten Commandments, Moses said, "And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgements, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it" (Deuteronomy 4:14). "On this side of Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying . . ." (Deuteronomy 1:5). Before this, Moses had told the people, "All the words of the Lord, and all the judgments" (Exodus 24:3). Moses, "Wrote all the words of the Lord," in "the book of the covenant" (verses 4 to 8). It was also called "the book of the law." "And Moses wrote this law" (Deuteronomy 31:9-11). "And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, which bear the Ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee" (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). This "book of the law" containing "precepts, statutes, and laws" was "given by the hand of Moses" (Nehemiah 9:14). "The law was given by Moses" (John 1:17). The "book of the law of the Lord, given by Moses" (2 Chronicles 34:14).
  Now let us sum up what we have found concerning this book of the law: (1) It was declared or spoken to Israel by Moses himself as mediator (Exodus 24:3, Deuteronomy 4:14, Galatians 3:19). (2) It was written by Moses himself in a book called "the book of the covenant" and "the book of the law" (Exodus 24:4-7, Deuteronomy 31:9,24-26). (3) At the command of Moses, the Levites placed the book of the law in the side of the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 31:25,26).
  Let us sum up the facts that we have found thus far about these two laws in contrast: Israel was required to obey two laws, the Ten Commandments, "Do according to all that I [God] have commanded them," and the book of the law, "According to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them" (2 Kings 21:8). In short, they were to obey the Ten Commandments Law of God and the law given by their mediator Moses--two laws.

The Book of the Law--Added--Why?

  Moses placed the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments inside the Ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:1-5) and the Levites placed the book of the law in the side of the Ark of the covenant. Two tables of stone were to be kept within that Ark always, but the book of the law was to be read to "all Israel" every seventh year at the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). Moses was mediator of the Old Covenant (Exodus 24:1-12) and Israel was commanded to keep the Ten Commandments and the law of their mediator (the book of the law), but we are under the New Covenant, and we no longer have to obey the law of Moses, but we do have to obey the Law of our Mediator Jesus Christ. We obey two laws--the Commandments of God and testimony or teachings of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17).
  The questions that need to be answered at this time are (1) What about the book of the law? (2) For what purpose was it given and why did it end at the Cross of Christ? The Bible gives the answers.
  Paul asks the question, "Wherefore then serveth the law?" (Galatians 3:19). This is what we want to know too--what was the purpose of the law? Paul is speaking of "the book of the law" (verse 10). The purpose of the Ten Commandment Law is clearly given in the New Scriptures: "By the Law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20), "Sin is the transgression of the Law" (1 John 3:4). "I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Romans 7:7,12). Now we want to know the purpose of this book of the law. Why was it given? Paul answers his own and our question in Galatians 3:19, "It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."
  Here we have the key to the whole matter in this one verse of Scripture. First note that this book of the law was added because of transgression. In Romans 4:15 Paul says, "Where no Law is, there is no transgression" and John says, "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). Transgression of God's Law, the Ten Commandments, is sin and Paul says that this book of the law was added because the people were transgressing God's Law, or because of sin. Remember too that there could be no transgression if there were no Law. The fact that this law was added because of transgression is proof that God's Law was already in existence and this book of the law was added because of that transgression. This is another proof of two laws. Were they really transgressing the Ten Commandments? Yes. In Exodus chapter 16 they violated the Sabbath Law and were rebuked by God. They made and worshipped an idol while Moses was up on the Mountain with God (Ezekiel 20:24,25; Deuteronomy 9:12).
  This added law was given, or added, "until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made" (Galatians 3:19). That Promised Seed of Abraham was Christ (verse 16). This book of the law was only to serve until Jesus came. Its purpose would be ended then. However, the Ten Commandments continue on because they are still needed to define sin.
  That book of the law contained "precepts, statutes, and laws" (Nehemiah 9:14). One series or code of laws in that book of the law regulated the priesthood and the offering of animal sacrifices for sin and other offerings under the Old Covenant. Paul makes that clear by the following quotations: "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of a necessity a change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:12). "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's . . . ." "For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity" (Hebrews 10:11,12). "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect . . . ." "But in those sacrifices there is remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offering for--for sin--, which are offered by the law." This law and system of animal sacrifices for sin could not take away sin but was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. That law, with the sacrifices was a type and shadow of the one Sacrifice, or death, of Jesus that does take away sin. When Jesus died, that system of animal sacrifices had to end, or was abolished, at the Cross (Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15).
  This abolished code of law found in the book of the Law (Galatians 3:10,19) is clearly described by the Apostle Paul so that none need confuse it with the Ten Commandments. Note what he says about this law that was abolished: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us" (Colossians 2:14). (Could this refer to the Ten Commandments? Are they contrary to Christians?) "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances" (Ephesians 2:15). ". . . the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service . . ." (Hebrews 9:1-10).
  "Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices . . . Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances [margin: rites or ceremonies] . . ." These rites and ceremonies were regulated by the law of Moses (Ephesians 2:15; Leviticus 4; Hebrews 9:1-10).
  This book of the law also contained the governmental laws of Israel and the promises under the Old Covenant. They were the administrative laws enforcing obedience to the great constitution or basic Law, the Ten Commandments, under a death penalty. Murder, adultery, idolatry, dishonor of parents, Sabbath desecration and other willful violations were punished by death under two or more witnesses. Read Hebrews 10:28; Deuteronomy 17:1-17; 19:11,12; Leviticus 10:9,10. That is why Paul speaks of Moses' ministration as the "ministration of death, written and engraved in stones" (2 Corinthians 3:7-9). A copy of this book of the law containing these administrative laws was written on a large altar made of unhewn stones. Read Deuteronomy 27:1-8; Joshua 8:30-35. Moses' ministration came to an end and Christ's ministration takes its place. The change of ministrations did not however change God's perfect Law, the Ten Commandments, which serve as the great constitutional law of both Old and New Testaments. Moses enforced obedience in the letter under a national penalty law of death. Jesus enforces obedience from the heart under penalty of death, but execution is at the Judgment of God (Romans 6:23; 1 John 3:15; Revelation 20:12-14; 22:14).
  For an example of the two ministrations in comparison, read John 8:1-11.
  Now let us briefly contrast the two laws, the Ten Commandments and the book of the law, in the New Testament Scriptures.

Two Laws--Side by Side--2 Kings 21:8

 
 
 
 

Ten Commandments

Book of the Law

1. Declared by God (Deuteronomy 4:12,13)

1. Declared by Moses (Exodus 24:3;Deuteronomy 4:14: 1:5)

2. Written by God's own finger (Deuteronomy 9:10)

2. Written by Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9)

3. Written on two tables of stone (Deuteronomy 4:12,13)

3. Written in a book (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)

4. A complete Law--nothing added (Exodus 24:12, Deuteronomy 5:22)

4. A separate law (2 Kings 21:8; 2 Chronicles 34;14)

5. Placed in the Ark--by Moses--at God's command (Deuteronomy 10:1-5)

5. Placed in the side of the Ark--at Moses' command--by the Levites (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)

6. God says: "A law . . .which I have written" (Exodus 24:12)

6. "The law that my servant Moses commanded them" (2 Kings 21:8)

7. Defines sin (Romans 3:20)

7. Added because of sin or transgression (Galatians 3:19)

8. Holy--good (Romans 7:12)

8. Contrary to us (Colossians 2:14)

9. Must obey to have eternal life (Revelation 22:14; Matthew 19:16-23)

9. Could not give life because Christ is true sin offering (Galatians 3:10,21-26). Can't take away sin (Hebrews 10:1-4)

10. Perfect (James 1:23-25)

10. Made nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:19)

11. Established by faith through obedience (Romans 3:31; 8:4)

11. Abolished (Ephesians 2:15)

12. Spiritual (Romans 7:7,14; 8:4,14)

12. Carnal (Hebrews 9:9,10)

13. The Law of Liberty (James 2:10-12)

13. A yoke of bondage (Acts 15:1-11; Galatians 5:1-5)