WEDNESDAY
Yesterday we spent some time reflecting on the obvious existence of the moral law. Of course, this principle is taught throughout the Bible and, really, it is intrinsic to the message of the gospel—more on that tomorrow. For today, let’s simply look at the Scriptural teaching on the reality of the moral law.
I’ve preached a few times on this passage in the last year or so, so I will not linger here. In Genesis 2, God gives Adam and Eve one prohibition:
Genesis 2:16–17 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
In the midst of abundant provision and blessing, Adam and Eve are tempted and they fail to uphold this one simple law. Obedience would have led to life, disobedience leads to death. They chose to define good and evil for themselves apart from God’s definition of good and evil. The assumption is that God will teach the early humans right and wrong in his timing. The humans however reach out and take it for themselves.
This is a picture of the people Israel entering into covenant relationship with God in Deuteronomy 30.
Deuteronomy 30:11–20 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
God graciously reveals how the people of Israel ought to live, in the Mosaic Law. These 613 laws are summarized in the Ten Commandments. (I limited it to just the commands without the descriptions for the sake of time. Feel free to go read the whole thing.)
Exodus 20:3–17 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below… 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
In the book of Judges, the indication of the corruption in Israel is found in the repeated phrase, “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD.” (Judges 2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1) Instead, “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 17:6)
Jesus will summarize the law even further in the two greatest commandments.
Matthew 22:36–40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If you thought following the Mosaic Law was hard enough, Jesus takes the law even deeper into a matter of the heart in The Sermon on the Mount. He makes violation of the law an internal thing, not just the external actions.
Matthew 5:21–22 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
The New Testament epistles are full of moral imperatives as well.
Ephesians 5:1–7 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
That’s a lot of ought in the Bible. It’s quite clear that these oughts originate in God. The moral law is the law of God.