Bible Student’s Assistant

THE LAW OF GOD

God spake the Ten Commandments in the hearing of the people, and wrote them with his finger on two tables of stone. “And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deuteronomy 4:12, 13; 5:22; Exodus 20:1; 4:12; 31:18; 32:15, 16; Nehemiah 9:13. BSA 13.5

Knowledge of the principles of the Ten Commandments existed before they were given on Sinai. (1) Genesis 35:1-4; (2) Genesis 31:19, 34, 35; 35:2, 4; (3) Leviticus 18:3, 21, 24, 27; (4) Genesis 2:1-4; Mark 2:27; Genesis 8:10, 12; 29:27, 28; Exodus 16:4, 22, 23, 25-30; (5) Genesis 9:20-25; (6) Genesis 4:8-11, 23, 24; 6:5; (7) Genesis 20:5-9; 38:24; 39:7-9; (8) Genesis 30:33; 31:19, 30, 32, 39; 44:8; (9) Genesis 39:7-20; (10) The fact that the transgression of the tenth commandment must precede the violation of the eighth, and that the eighth was known, and its violation considered worthy of death, is sufficient evidence that the principle of the tenth commandment was known before the law was given at Sinai. Also no mention is made of the violation of the third commandment in the book of Genesis; but profanity was among the sins of the nations living in Canaan before the law was given at Sinai. If those nations were ignorant of the matter of the third commandment, then profanity was not an abomination in them; for “sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Romans 5:13. BSA 14.1

1. The Law of God a Rule of Action. “Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of men.”Ecclesiastes 12:13; Deuteronomy 11:18, 19; Psalm 37:30, 31; Matthew 19:16, 17; Romans 2:13; 3:19, 20; 7:7; James 1:25; 2:8-12; 1 John 3:4; Revelation 22:14. BSA 14.2

2. It is Perfect. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:7-9; 119:138, 142, 151; Isaiah 48:18; Romans 7:12, 14, 22, 25. BSA 15.1

3. Unlimited in its Duration. “The works of his hands are verity and judgment: all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” Psalm 111:7, 8; 1 Chronicles 16:15-17; Psalm 89:30-32; 105:8; 119:144, 152, 160; Matthew 5:18. BSA 15.2

4. Ratified by the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19; 22:35-40; Romans 3:31; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 5:2, 3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14. BSA 15.3