Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):

The Law That Was Added

Quite often the statement is made "we are not under the law, we are under grace," borrowed from Paul's letter to the Romans 6:14, thus taking it out of context. But it was the law of ordinances -- the sacrificial laws -- that were nailed to the tree. Paul teaches this. He does not say the Laws of the Commandments, Statutes and Judgments were nailed to the tree, as his Epistle to the Ephesians 2:15 makes quite plain.

by Kathleen Gage

When the Children of Israel came out of Egyptian bondage it was YEHOVAH God Almighty's intention to give them the Laws of Commandments, Statutes and Judgments, in written form, for their observance -- and nothing else. This same Law was always followed by the Patriarchs of the Old Testament. But at this time of Israel's beginnings as a nation, Moses was to receive this Law from YEHOVAH God first hand. The Ten Commandments were written by YEHOVAH on tablets of stone and later the whole of YEHOVAH's Law was written down by Moses at the dictation of YEHOVAH God during Moses' sojourn on the mount of Sinai, for the benefit and wellbeing of the Children of Israel.

But even as Moses was with YEHOVAH God on the mountain, the children of Israel were misbehaving and began praising and worshipping a golden calf for their escape from Egyptian bondage. Thus YEHOVAH had to bring in the Law of Ordinances of sacrifices to save the people from being destroyed by the righteousness of YEHOVAH God. As it is stated in Jeremiah 7:22: "For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices." This was the law that was added. That is the word which the Apostle Paul uses in his letter to the Galatians 3:19: "...It was added because of transgressions..."

Quite often the statement is made "we are not under the law, we are under grace," borrowed from Paul's letter to the Romans 6:14, thus taking it out of context. But it was the law of ordinances -- the sacrificial laws -- that were nailed to the tree. Paul teaches this. He does not say the Laws of the Commandments, Statutes and Judgments were nailed to the tree, as his Epistle to the Ephesians 2:15 makes quite plain: "Having abolished in his flesh [that is, the Messiah] the enmity. Even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Then one more scripture concerning this law that was added found in Hebrews 10:4-7: "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, l come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God." It was the law that was added because of Israel's sin and disobedience that was done away with by the Messiah's sacrifice. Thus redeeming his people back to himself and becoming the Savior of the world.

When YEHOVAH God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, He spoke to Moses concerning how they would function as a nation before YEHOVAH God. The giving of the Law was the means whereby Israel would maintain and conduct themselves under YEHOVAH. Moses admonished Israel to follow these laws, as in Deuteronomy 4:5-6: "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Now it must be patently obvious from the foregoing scripture that there is no way this perfect law of YEHOVAH God would eventually be done away with and put aside as of none effect. This leads us to what the Messiah stated at the beginning of his ministry when he said in Matthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill." Once it is realized it is the sacrificial law that was added because of Israel's sin that was finished with by the New Covenant made through Yeshua the Messiah, then there is no longer the need for the shedding of the blood of animals for the propitiation of sin. This was the part of the law that was the schoolmaster to bring us to the Messiah as stated by Paul in Galatians 3:24.

The inclusion of the prophets within the statement made by the Messiah mentioned above is another indication of the importance of the Law which he had come to fulfill. All the prophets sent by YEHOVAH God to His backsliding people of Israel had one theme in common. They were always admonishing His people to return to the LORD and keep His Law, Commandments and Judgments.

The Law of the LORD was given to Israel by YEHOVAH God Himself as a national, constitution, which is still in effect and has never been rescinded. The Messiah came to uphold this Law and not to do away with it. The importance of YEHOVAH's Law is put very succinctly in David's Psalm 19:7-11: "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 for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is Your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

 

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Preparing the Way for the Return of YEHOVAH God and His Messiah!

Hope of Israel Ministries
P.O. Box 853
Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A.
www.hope-of-israel.org

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