The laws and ordinances which we find in our chapter would show us that God, though so great, is interested in all our dealings with one another. There is instruction for everyone, boys and girls as well as men and women. The Israelites’ hopes were on earth, and so they were to be an example to other nations of righteous government. Although we are a heavenly people and “are not under law,” (Rom. 6:14) we must not forget the words of the Apostle, “Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace?” (Rom. 6:15). Grace does not command, but it does teach, and Christianity goes much farther than the laws given to Israel. It is a terrible thing to use our liberty for an occasion to the flesh (Galatians 5:13). God never gives liberty to sin — never!
Moral Instruction
Of course there were many ordinances for the Israelites which have only a figurative meaning for us. They were not moral laws. They tested the people’s obedience, for they were called upon to obey the voice of God without knowing why He told them to do certain things. The moral ways of God, however, do not change; they are always the same. Therefore you will find great moral instruction in going over these chapters. The law demanded an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but here grace goes farther — we, as Christians, are to return good for evil.
Most of the laws in Christian lands are based upon the law of God through Moses. The civil government must punish the offender, and it is right that they should. “The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God” (Rom. 13:1-2). We who are Christians recognize the authority, not because the person is superior, but because authority is given by God. We submit to it as to God, but if they ask us to do something which God’s Word forbids, and we cannot obey as to God, we must still submit to the authority, but we ought to obey God (Acts 5:29). When the Lord Jesus stood before Pilate, He acknowledged Pilate’s authority as given from above, even though Pilate used it wrongly (John 19:11).
Warnings and Grace
In these days of being “disobedient to parents” (Rom. 1:30) it might be well to notice that under law, when a child hit or cursed his parent he was to be put to death. This is very solemn. God owns the authority of the parents whether under law or grace. Thank God, there is salvation even for naughty children now if they come to Christ!
We also find the silver line of grace interwoven through these very laws. There was to be a place of refuge appointed for the man who killed another unintentionally. How beautifully this typifies Christ, the true “place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26). Although the nation killed Him, He graciously spoke of their act as being done in ignorance (Luke 23:34), so that He might be their place of refuge. And not only was that work of redemption for the guilty nation of Israel, but now Christ is the place of refuge — the true Hiding Place — for every sinner who comes and admits his guilt. Dear reader, can you say, “Jesus is My Hiding Place”?
Further Meditation
1. How should we respond when we are mistreated by another person?
2. Why was it important that the Lord Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34) when He was on the cross?
3. You will find many further applications of the law today in The Moral Content of the Ten Commandments and Their Application to the Christian by C. H. Brown.