Understanding the Mosaic Law.

Since modern day Tithing, Sabbath-keeping and other commonly observed ordinances have their roots in the Mosaic Law, understanding the Law is absolutely necessary if we are to avoid distortion of the Word of God. The Mosaic Law is far more than the Ten Commandments. In fact, the entire Mosaic Law found in the first five books of the Old Testament, governs every phase of life for Israel.

The Origin of the Mosaic Law

While Moses is the human author he was not the originator of the Law. God is the source and inspiration of all the Scriptures including every detail and concept found in the Mosaic Law. The Law therefore reflects God’s perfect character and establishes a basis by which the Theocracy of Israel should operate.

The Recipients of the Mosaic Law

The Law was given to Israel only. The Mosaic Law was never intended or given to the Gentiles and was certainly not given to the Church Age Believer. Christ fulfilled the Law and is the end of the Law for believers. Church Age Believers are under a higher and far superior Law, the control of the Holy Spirit. Because Israel was selected as a special nation for unique and specific tasks (a missionary nation to the world, custodian of the Word of God, and a protected avenue for the line of Jesus Christ the Messiah) Israel was to operate as a Theocracy (under God’s authority). God required Israel to operate on a much higher level than the other nations of the world. Adherence to God’s standard brought blessing to Israel and forsaking the standards yielded discipline.

The Contents of the Mosaic Law

The Mosaic Law represents three separate concepts for Israel, Moral, Spiritual, and Social. These three areas of teaching are also known as Codex I, Codex II, and Codex III.

Codex I: The Moral Code. (Commandments)

This section has over 120 Commandments which include the well known Ten Commandments. This section of the Law depicts a perfect morality as a standard. This perfect moral standard which is unattainable by sinful man serves notice that man needs a Savior. Secondarily these concepts provide a template by which we can understand Divinely established Laws of morality for the survival of the human race.

Codex II: The Spiritual Code portraying Shadow Christology (Ordinances)

This section of the Law contains ordinances that picture a complete shadow Christology. Included are the Levitical Offerings, The Tabernacle, Holy Days, The Levitical Priesthood, and the believers worship during the age of Israel.

Codex III: The Social Code. (Judgements)

Codex III establishes the operating standard for a national entity which provide freedom and privacy under Divinely established laws. In addition this section covers dietary laws, quarantines, soil conservation, laws of sanitation, military service, taxation, marriage, divorce, etc.

Salvation is never attained through keeping the Mosaic Law.

Salvation never can be achieved through Law keeping. For all humanity, Jew and Gentile, Old Testament and New Testament, Salvation is provided through the death of Christ on the cross. The spiritual potion of the Law pictured this substitutionary death as an event to come. The Church has the Canon of Scripture and can look back at an event that took place. Either way Salvation was appropriated by faith in the work of Christ.