The Law of the LORD is…

Many things.

This morning I continue my study of the word “law”. I am in Psalm 19 which is titled, “The Law of the LORD is Perfect” in my ESV Bible. As I read the passage, I find that the Law of the LORD is much more than just perfect. I know, what could be more than perfect, that is what I was thinking as well, until reading and meditating.

“⁷The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

⁸the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

⁹the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.”

— Psalm 19:7-9 (ESV)

We have the “law”, “testimony”, “precepts”, “commandments”, “fear”, and “rules” of the LORD and each are independently described/defined as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and/or “true”. As I reviewed this passage and looked for understanding, I had a unique observation. One can substitute “Word” or “Law” in any position. In that substitution, there is no loss in truth. Whereas it does not seem to work with any of the others. Oh, yes the substitution can be made, but the value of the phrase loses some impact.

The Law of the LORD is the Word of the LORD and therefore both have impact in all scenarios. We can use the Law and Word interchangeably wherever we might be and there is no loss as to the meaning. The Word of the LORD and the Law of the LORD are the same that are referred to in our reading, learning, understanding, and knowing as we traverse this world.

Don’t get me wrong, all of the words used are valuable and teach us as to the breadth of God. Those other than the Word and Law, where they have impact, are not as universal to me. They are specific in their use.

I see that the Law of the LORD can be used in all scenarios to guide and direct me. I see that the Law of the LORD is “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”. I see that the Law of the LORD is many things and all things to me.

What is your view of the Law of the LORD? Are you looking to it as one thing? What if you were to see it as “perfect”, “sure”, “right”, “pure”, “clean”, and “true”, in short as many things?

Meditate on the Instruction of the LORD

“²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

I have studied he above verse on numerous occasions and as is usual God has led me to something new. We are to delight in the law and we are to meditate on this law. But what I see this morning in this verse is the definition of the law in this context. You see, the law of the LORD here is “instruction” as noted in the meanings or definitions found in my ESV Bible. In my Christian Standard Bible (CSB) the verse says, “his delight is in the LORD’s instruction”.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul provides Timothy with the same as relates to scripture or Law of the LORD.

“¹⁶All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

God’s Word is not just the law that we are to follow, it is the instruction book as to how to carry ourselves through this world. Whether it be The Ten Commandments, how to pray, how to engage with the Word of God, or how and when to worship, God’s Law is there to guide us and instruct us through it all.

I know that I knew this. I study God’s Word to learn how to approach this world and work my way through it as God intends. Where I know that I am a sinner and have much more to learn, I also know that God is leading me to be better and more like Him every day. This is only possible through the instruction that I receive as I read, study, know, and understand His Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Do you see it as the law? What if you were to see it as instruction on how to carry out your life here in this world?

Understand the Law

It is important to read God’s Law and to be refreshed in it on a regular basis. We cannot follow the law if we have not read or heard it read. The excuse of ignorance is not an acceptable reason to go against the Law of God. As important as it is to read God’s Law, it is just as important, if not more, to understand it.

“⁷Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. ⁸They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” – Nehemiah 8:7-8 (ESV)

The passage above is part of the passage titled “Ezra Reads the Law” in my English Standard Version (ESV) Bible. We can see the parallel to the regular reading of God’s Law every seven years. God’s Law is to be shared with or regularly consumed by the people, whether that is reading aloud to them or they read to themselves. But to go along with that reading, there needs to be understanding. And for that, we need help.

You see, I am only one person and am influenced by all the things around me. Those influences will direct me to seeing things in my reading. Some of them good and some not so good, but I am influences by them none the less. I study daily the Word of God and yet, my understanding may not be complete or accurate.

There are plenty of resources that can and do direct me to understanding. I have different versions of God’s Law, physical and online commentaries, and books and periodicals that can guide me. But, I cannot stop there. I have to seek out others and discuss my understanding with them to confirm my understanding and gain correction and training where needed.

I/we are in need of not just reading/hearing of God’s Law, we need to understand it. Understanding is where we gain the proper application of God’s Law to our lives. I have to for sure dive into God’s Law and use all the written resources available, but I also need to meet with others to gain understanding of God’s Law and It’s application in my life and worship of Him.

What is your approach to God’s Law? Are you reading/hearing it and stopping there? What if you were to read/hear it and then dig into it with ALL resources to understand and apply It to your life?

Meditate of God’s Law

“⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” – Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

God is speaking to Joshua directly here. Moses has died and Joshua has been tasked with leading the people into the promised land. A big task, yes, but God will be with them and here He is telling them how to go about thing. They are to follow the Law as it is written and not deviate. The thing is, as noted in Deuteronomy, they did not have everything written in books to read and take with them, there was reliance on the passing of Law down from person to person and generation to generation. As such, God has given the command to no only read and know the Law, but to “meditate on it day and night”.

This is the command to us and not just the Israelite people. We have to not only read, know, and understand the Word of God, we are to “meditate on it day and night” to ensure that we are living it out daily. It is easy for us to read God’s Word as we have bibles readily available, in many different version and even electronically. We even carry it with us (in the form of apps on our phones). Yet, do we really know and understand His Word. Do we “meditate on it day and night”?

I have on my desk a stack of Bible Verses for memorization. This is my start to meditation. They are right in front of me and I see them and reference them throughout the day. I am not just looking at God’s Word in the mornings as I have my time to study, I am reviewing His Word all day even if for just a moment to read through the verses in front of me. See the last part of verse eight above to see that we will find success in when we are in the Word of God and following His Law carefully. In my interactions with others I have God’s Word and the example of Jesus at top of mind leading to efficient and effective interactions.

Just having the information of God’s Word available is great, as we do have more access today than was available in biblical times. Yet that information is essentially useless in our day to day walk with Christ if we are not keeping it at the forefront of our minds and actions. We have to read, know, and understand God’s Word and then we “meditate on it day and night”.

What is your approach to God’s Law? Are you one that has the information available and then seeks to look it up to determine your next move? What if you were to read, know, understand, and “meditate on it day and night” and live it out always?

All the Words of This Law

Words are important and selecting the right words to convey a message is vital to the message itself. God’s Word is a great example of this and my study today is no exception. I am still in the study of the word “law” and that law is God’s Word. Today I am focused on the words in the scripture I was led to.

“¹²Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, ¹³and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” – Deuteronomy 31:12-13 (ESV)

Both of the verses above are part of my learning this morning. First, I see in verse 12 to “all the words of this law”. When I read it this morning I was struck by “this law” and specifically the word “this”. I had not really read it in the pas when I have been in this passage. I even went to two other versions of the Bible and found the same words “this law” in each of them. God’s Word is indicating here in the passage related to the reading of the law is the law that is to be followed. Not the law of man, but the law of God. It is “this” law that we are to live a life in that will guide us to righteousness.

Now before we get off track here, two things. 1) No, reading and doing God’s Law does not make us righteous. It is a guide to righteousness. Righteousness is in our heart and deemed by God, not the acts we perform. 2) “This law” is all of God’s Word and not just the “laws” found in the old testament. Those before the New Covenant are to some degree still valid, yet we look to the New Covenant to see how the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus led to His example to us as to the application of God’s Law in our lives.

Now, the second thing I found this morning as I was studying the verses above was the phrase “be careful to do all the words” found in verse 12. I know, this is part of the first phrase/words with addition of the words “be careful to do”. I went again to two other versions of the Bible and found that in this case, there are different words used. The New International Version (NIV) has the phrase as “follow carefully all the words”. And that helped me to understand it more intensely. You see, we are to read, know, and understand God’s Word and we are to follow it carefully in our actions and use them as our guide to righteousness.

Again, performing the actions and following God’s Word does not make us righteous, it is His Word on our hearts and deemed by God. But, here’s the thing. God provides us with His Law and we are to read it and know it and understand it. When we do, we will follow it and that will lead us closer to Him and subsequently can/will lead us to righteousness. This is where the first part of verse 12 and verse 13 come together. Notice those who are to read, know, and understand “this law”. It is ALL. Not just those in the church or those we like or those who are far from God, but all of us even the children.

I found the following in my NIV commentary on verse 12 as relates to the reading, knowing and understanding of God’s Word. “There were not books, Bibles, Newstands to spread God’s word, so the people had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory. Memorization was an important part of worship because if everyone knew the law, ignorance would be no excuse for breaking it. To fulfill God’s purpose in our lives, we need the content and substance of His Word in our heard and minds.” This commentary reiterates both of the things I mentioned above. First, “this law”, everyone was responsible to read, know, and understand God’s Law. And second, we “follow carefully” all of the law and ignorance is not an excuse.

We start learning God’s Law as children and as we grow older, we continue to learn, know, and understand God’s Law and the application it has in our lives. We are to read His Word regularly, commit it to memory and “be careful to do all the words of this law” daily.

What is your take on God’s Law? Are you pleading ignorance as an excuse to not upholding “this law”? What if your were to regularly read, know, and understand God’s Law and are “careful to do all the words of this law”?

Read the Law Regularly

“¹⁰And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, ¹¹when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.’” – Deuteronomy 31:10-11 (ESV)

We are to come back again and again to refresh on what the LORD has commanded us. Notice that in verse 10 above, we are to read the law of the LORD every seven years. Not once and move on, but every seven years we are to reacquaint ourselves with the law.

It is easy to forget things. In our world today, we tend to not even commit things to memory or even practice as we have such ready availability to things that we engage with them when we need them. Where this may see as though it is in accordance with what Moses is saying here, it is really not. Isn’t this more the approach to the law of hearing about what we did, had done, or should have done after the event took place. We use the now to adjudicate the past or tell us about what to do in the now. We tend to lack the knowledge of how to avoid thing in the future.

I am a professionally trained baseball umpire and have called games at a pretty high level and consider myself very astute as to the rules or laws of the game. I studied the rules to know them and was tested on them and demonstrated application of the rules. I have been thinking of getting back on the field and before doing so I have to refresh on the rules of the game. Some things in baseball do not change, and yet others are amended with adjusted for the now as the game has evolved. This refresh is going to take some time and effort on my part as I have been away from the rules of the game for some time. If I had been doing a regular refresh or reading of the rules, my knowledge and understanding of the rules would be deeper and I would be more prepared to jump right onto the field.

Where God’s Law is much more important than the rules of baseball, the concept is much the same. We have to know the law and be familiar with it to apply it correctly as He intended. We maintain our knowledge and familiarity with the law by reading it regularly. We have to study it and commit it to memory. We have to stay in touch with the law to ensure that it does not pass us by. We have to know the law so that we are not tricked or deceived by others as to the application of the law.

Moses indicated to the people to read the law every seven years in the public square for all to hear and refresh. This public reading was also for those who had not heard the law and would be acquainted with it and know it to apply in their lives. Today, we have God’s Law, the bible, available everywhere. Everyone can have their own copy, either in physical form or electronically. There is less dependence on the public reading of the Law due to this availability. But, even as the dependence on the public reading is lessened, the need to read regularly God’s Law is not lacking importance at all.

We are to regularly engage with God’s Law to know and understand it. Where seeking the information in the moment is useful to our application of the Law, we would be able to avoid or achieve so much more with our deeper understanding and the commitment of God’s Law in our lives. We should be in God’s Word studying it daily. Even if only for five minutes a day on average every day would add up to over 30 hours of study a year. That is almost the equivalent of a full work week studying God’s Law. So get out there and read God’s Law regularly to know and understand how we apply all that He has commanded us.

What does your reading of God’s Law look like? Are you in the mode that you have it available to engage when needed? What if you were to regularly read God’s Law to know and understand it so that you can apply it always and not just in the moment?

Do All the Words of this Law

This morning I start a new word study, “law”. As noted, I choose a word in the concordance of my ESV Bible and study verse over verse. The way it is organized takes me through the Bible with those references to the word from Genesis to Revelation in that order. With the word “law” I am taken back to Deuteronomy to begin my study.

“²⁹The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

Notice that the title of my post is the last seven words of the above verse. This is the command that we have been given as pertains to our following of the law of God. The law of God leads us to righteousness (although it does not make us righteous). This is a great start to doing the will of the LORD and demonstrating the example of Christ to the world.

Here’s the thing, notice the first part and middle of the verse referencing “secret things” and “things that are revealed”. There is so much that we do not know. God has only revealed that which He “needs” us to know at this time. There are things that He is keeping to Himself until which time we need to know. Look at the time of this writing and the fact that Jesus has not been revealed to the people. Yes, He is referenced, yet not revealed. Without the revelation of Jesus, the secret of all that He is stays with God until that time we need Him.

We are to follow along as the LORD leads us. God’s word and the law therein was written many years ago. It is relevant in our lives today and tomorrow, yet there is still so much that has yet to be revealed. We are to devote ourselves to Him and subsequently the pursuit of learning and knowing more of the law He reveals to us. We are to study His word to seek revelation. We are to “do all the words of this law” as they are revealed to us in the time we need them.

What is your view of the law? Do you believe we know it all and are good to go? What if you were to study and study knowing that we have only knowledge of that which God has revealed to us and that there is so much that will be revealed for us to follow as our needs require them?

Consequences

There are consequences for all actions, yes all actions. When you take positive action, the consequence is a positive result. When you take negative actions, the consequence is a negative result. We seem to think of consequences as only negative and when negative does not come, then we think we are in the clear.

Biblical consequences occur and we seem to find them polarizing. We seem to look at the negative consequences to our actions with God to be unjust and we think that positive consequences should be the result of not taking negative actions. See below for the view that John has as the New Heaven and New Earth are revealed to him.

“⁶And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. ⁷The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.’” – Revelation 21:6-8 (ESV)

Verses six and seven speak to the consequences to the actions taken to glorify and honor God, whereas verse eight the consequences to the opposite. Notice that the positive consequences to be full life and communion with God, whereas the negative consequence is casting out and “the second death”. The negative consequences seem so much more dramatic, when in actual application both the positive and negative are equally spectacular.

You see, we don’t see the positive consequences really at all. We don’t think of positive results of our actions because we have come to only think of consequences as negative and when they don’t come we just pass them off as continuing on with things. But, look closely at verses six and seven above. See the result, quenched thirst and heir with Jesus and for what, turning to and accepting God for who He is and what He gives to us. We are conquerors of this world thanks to the redeeming grace of God the Father.

But, negative consequences we know all to well. We notice them at every turn. When things don’t turn out the we planned we look to place blame. We do not accept that we may have done something to be rewarded with the negative consequence. The reality is that our actions have generated a result and that result is negative and we push back at acceptance of the result. With God, the negative result/consequence is quite something, “the second death” as noted in verse eight above. See the actions and the breadth of those actions that generate the result. From lying to being faithless all generate the negative consequence of “the second death”.

We look at things so differently in our lives. We do not see consequences for our actions the same way. We barely notice the consequence to positive action and we blame negative consequences on someone else entirely. In reality, positive and negative consequences are there exclusively based on the actions, or even inaction that we take each day. For bringing glory to and leaning on the LORD the consequence is the quenching of our thirst and life in the presence of God. For thinking only of self, we are rewarded with “the second death” and will spend eternity in lake of fire. All actions have consequences.

What is your view of consequences? Do you really only think of negative consequences or results? What if you were to look to the positive consequences of your actions as you bring glory to and lean on God?

Seek to be Pleasing to God

I have to remember that sin is sin is sin. There are things that we don’t think about being sin that are, like lusting in your heart. When we lust after another that is not our spouse, then we have committed sin. No, it is not a sin to admire another, but lusting after them certainly is. Omitting something so as “not to offend” them is a sin in that it is a lie of omission. So being pleasing to God is so hard in this life.

“¹⁸Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” – Hebrews 13:18 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews asks for prayer to assist in the acting “honorably in all things”. The writer knows that we are not free from sin and need help as they “desire” to do be pleasing to God.

This verse and passage is so telling and the honest approach that each of us should have. There are so many things in our life that corrupt us into sin. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not. I know that I pray for forgiveness daily for the sins I have committed and will commit. I know that I have sinned, maybe not consciously, but subconsciously for sure. I cannot get through a day without sinning in some fashion and no one can. But, I can seek to be pleasing to God. I can strive to be better.

I don’t steal and I don’t kill. These are the conscious sins that everyone can see and I do well in avoiding these sins. But, look at how I open this post and the subconscious sin that we may not be aware. Those are the ones that get me. I will commit those sins that are under the surface that hurt God the Father. He knows of them before I am aware and is hurt by them. They are not pleasing to Him, and I must ask for forgiveness for those.

The verse above is a great one to remind me and us that we are to seek honor in everything we do. We are to do those things that are pleasing to the LORD. I am tasked with bring glory to the LORD and avoiding sin does that, but confessing sin and asking for forgiveness does as well. Allowing the LORD to work in my life gives Him glory and therefore brings joy to His face.

What is your view on being pleasing to the LORD? Do you believe in the idea that if you avoid the known sin you have somehow won the battle? What if you were to seek to please the LORD by allowing Him to work in your life?

The Law is for the Immoral

How often is it that you are breaking the law? Do you even think about the law as you go through your daily life? Are you concerned with your actions and how they align with the law? I can say that for me, I rarely think about whether or not something I am doing is legal or not. I will look to whether or not it is right.

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” – 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV)

Looking at the above passage, we see that the law was put in place, not for those who are “just” it is put in place for those who would be unjust or “lawless and disobedient” or immoral. Those who are “just” and right, do not need the law as they follow the LORD and the path that He has laid out for them.

I am not saying that the law is not needed. What I am saying is that it is in place for those who are not followers of Christ and His righteous direction. Those who follow Christ do work for Him and therefore are not working against the law. It is not that they are ignorant of the law or choose to disobey the law, it is that it just does not come up as they are already in standing in morality according the God.

It is certainly difficult to understand for those who are not followers of Christ. They would contend that the law is for everyone and that even followers of Christ are subject to the law. I would not argue with their assertion. I would state that there is no real thought as to what is legal or illegal as the situations rarely arise and when they do, the thought of “What Would Jesus Do” is guiding action as opposed to the law.

Now, the other question, what if a follower of Christ does indeed break the law? Great question. Then they are subject to the consequences. Following Christ is going to put you in positions where choices will be made as to legality or right. There are times when the right thing to do is not in line with what is legal and for that followers of Christ are subject to the consequences of going against the law. Again, it is not that the law is being ignored, it is that following Christ is taking the right actions.

For all there direction. For the Christian, that direction comes from God and His Word. The law is in place for the immoral who have no other guide as to what is right and what is wrong.

Where do you find your guide? Are you in the camp of needing the law to determine what you can and cannot do? What if you followed Christ, knowing that your actions are right?