Grace
The Law -- A Teacher
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are
not under law but under grace.
NASB
This law was designed to be a set of instructions not only for the nation as it came forth out of Egypt. It was designed as a set of instructions for future generations. The law was designed to instruct Israel to trust and obey God (Deut 6:1-9).
We must remember the law means more than just the Ten Commandments. There is a sense in which the Law stands for the entire teaching of the Old Testament, as least as the term is used in places in the New Testament. Frequently, in the Old Testament, the term is used to represent the first five books of the Bible. So, if we accept this as the definition, we must look to each detail of these books to understand the standards of righteousness. This includes obedience to all God commands. If one could keep these teachings all of the time, one would be holy and righteous.
Both the Old and New Testaments teach, however, that this is an all or nothing proposition (James 2:10). We must keep the entire law, for this is the statement of God’s character. God’s character is not 98% holy, it is 100% holy. If the entire structure of the law is designed to show us God’s holiness, then 100% of the structure must be followed, not 98%. (Josh 24:19-22)
So, in the Old Testament there is a great love of the law:
Nehemiah 8:9-12
9
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and
the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This
day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all
the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said
to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions
to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So
the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the
day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their
way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because
they understood the words that were declared to them.
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor
stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates
day and night.
Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all
the day.
