Laws of Love

Exodus 21:1 “These are the laws you are to set before them.”
 
WE often are inclined to think of the Ten Commandments as the only law God gave to Israel. As mentioned in previous lessons, those ten are, indeed, the most fundamental truths regarding humanity’s relationship with God and with one another.
     Then we come to God’s next words to Israel in Exodus 21. Here we discover the LORD God begins to prescribe additional laws for Israel’s well-being. These laws relate to health, safety, property and worship. You might say this is Israel’s constitution and legislation to guide them through everyday life.
     At the center of all the Law is effective community living under God’s rule with one another. This lawful purpose remains the same today. Good laws help us to treat each other well and to be fair with one another. Lawful behavior is essential to bearing God’s image, displaying his purpose and establishing his order. Our civil laws today are to be based on God’s law to guide us in ways to respect one another. To break, avoid or neglect law is to negate what is right and good to live in peace on earth. Ignoring laws leads to chaos and broken communities. We see this constantly all around us.
     That’s why we must listen and learn from the pages of law in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. As Christians, we should love the law even more when we remember these commands pointed to the Christ. Let’s then remember the words, “These are the laws you are to set before them.” as God’s blessing to reveal his love for us. God spoke to Moses to convey God’s great desire for his people to enter into a true loving relationship with him and with one another.
     To our sin-stained ears, the word “law” can sound harsh. We can view law as restrictive and judgment-focused. But let’s be thankful for law. Let’s be thankful God commands us how to live a right way. Obeying God’s laws, you will enjoy all he has prepared for us on this earth.
 
LIFE Link: God’s law is God’s sign of his true love for you.