5376 law, purpose of

The law covers and regulates every area of life of the covenant people of God in accordance with the commands of God. Although the laws may be divided into categories of civil, criminal, social and cultic (or ritual) law, these distinctions are not clear-cut, and occasionally overlap with one another.

The origins of the law

Law as God’s command is found in the story of creation Ge 2:16-17

The law expresses the covenant relation between God and his people Dt 4:44-45; Dt 5:1 See also Ex 20:1-17 pp Dt 5:6-21; Dt 10:12-13; Dt 30:1-16

The purpose of the law

The law shows the proper response to the holiness of God Lev 19:2

The law ensures that the people continue to receive the blessings of the covenant promises Dt 6:24-25 See also Ge 22:17-18; Ex 20:12; Dt 6:3-7

Breaking the law leads to forfeiting the covenant blessings Jer 11:9-11 See also Ex 32:1-4

The law deepens the believer’s knowledge of God through meditation Ps 1:1-2 See also Dt 6:2; Ps 19:7-14; Ps 119:25-32,105-120

The law will finally be written on believers’hearts Jer 31:33 See also Eze 11:19-20

The general principles underlying the law

Justice Dt 16:20

Righteousness Dt 16:18

Holiness Lev 19:2

Love Lev 19:18-19

See also