Understanding Old Testament Law Today

The Old Testament Law, comprised primarily of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, often presents a unique challenge to the modern Christian reader. Its regulations, ranging from intricate sacrificial rituals to detailed dietary restrictions and civil statutes, can seem archaic, irrelevant, or even contradictory to the New Covenant of grace. Yet, as believers, we affirm that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, the Old Testament Law is not to be ignored but understood within its proper redemptive-historical context and through the lens of Jesus Christ. This article aims to provide a Biblically sound framework for approaching and applying the Old Testament Law in our lives today, using the King James Version of the Bible.

Discerning the Categories of Law

To properly interpret the Old Testament Law, it is essential to recognize that it is not a monolithic entity. Theologians traditionally categorize the Mosaic Law into three distinct, though sometimes overlapping, divisions:

  • The Moral Law: This category reflects God's unchanging character and eternal moral principles. It is epitomized by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and other statutes that define righteousness, justice, and love. These laws are universally applicable to all humanity, at all times, because they are rooted in the very nature of God. While Christ fulfilled the Law perfectly, He did not abolish its moral demands; rather, He deepened them, extending them to the heart and spirit (Matthew 5:21-28). We are not saved by keeping these laws, but as believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we strive to live in accordance with them as an expression of our love for God and neighbour.
  • The Ceremonial Law: This category pertains to Israel's worship, rituals, sacrifices, priesthood, and purity regulations. Examples include the elaborate instructions for the Tabernacle, the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1), the dietary laws (Leviticus 11), and the various feasts and festivals. The primary purpose of the ceremonial law was to point forward to the coming of Jesus Christ and His perfect atoning work. It served as a "shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Colossians 2:17). With Christ's death and resurrection, these laws were fulfilled and are no longer binding for New Testament believers. The temple veil was rent (Matthew 27:51), signifying direct access to God through Christ, rendering the sacrificial system obsolete (Hebrews 10:1-14).
  • The Civil Law: These laws governed ancient Israel as a theocratic nation, regulating their social, economic, and judicial life. They include statutes concerning property rights, criminal justice, sanitation, and warfare. While specific to the nation of Israel at that time and in that land, these laws reveal God's principles of justice, fairness, and care for the vulnerable. For example, the principle of equitable justice (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) or compassion for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11) remains timeless. While the specific statutes of Israel's civil law are not directly applicable to modern nations (which are not theocratic Israel), the underlying principles of justice, mercy, and order can inform our understanding of good governance and societal ethics.

    • Christ, the Fulfillment of the Law

    The central interpretive key to understanding Old Testament Law is Jesus Christ. He declared:

    Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

    Matthew 5:17

    Jesus fulfilled the Law in several profound ways. He perfectly obeyed every moral command, living a sinless life. He was the ultimate sacrifice to which all ceremonial laws pointed, offering Himself once for all to atone for sin. He perfectly embodied the justice and righteousness that the civil laws sought to establish. Through His death and resurrection, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law and its power to enslave us to sin. We are no longer "under the law" as a means of justification, but "under grace" (Romans 6:14). The Law served as our "schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24).

    For the New Testament believer, the Law is not a burden to earn salvation, but a guide for sanctification. The Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, enables us to fulfill "the righteousness of the law" (Romans 8:4) by walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Our motivation for obedience flows from a heart of love and gratitude for Christ's finished work, not from a desire to merit salvation.

    Principles for Practical Application Today

    Given the distinctions and Christ's fulfillment, how then do we read and apply Old Testament Law today?

  • Look for Christ in Every Law: Recognize that the entire Old Testament, including its laws, ultimately points to Jesus. Ask how a particular law foreshadows His person, work, or the new covenant He established.
  • Discern the Underlying Moral Principle: Even in ceremonial and civil laws, look beyond the specific regulation to the timeless principle of God's character it reveals. For example, the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother's milk (Exodus 23:19) might convey a principle of compassion and not needlessly mingling life with death.
  • Understand the New Covenant Context: Always interpret the Old Testament Law through the lens of the New Testament. The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles provide the authoritative interpretation and application for believers under grace. The Law's purpose is now to reveal sin and to guide righteous living, not to provide a path to salvation.
  • Focus on Love: The New Testament teaches that love is the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus summarized the Law as loving God and loving neighbour (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul reiterates this: "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). When in doubt about applying an Old Testament principle, ask how it aligns with and promotes love.
  • Study the Whole Counsel of God: Avoid isolating verses or laws. Interpret scripture with scripture. A complete understanding requires considering the entire biblical narrative, from creation to consummation.

    • Avoiding Misinterpretations and Pitfalls

    As we approach the Old Testament Law, several errors must be avoided:

    • Legalism: This is the error of attempting to earn God's favour or salvation by strictly adhering to the Law. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). To return to law-keeping for justification is to deny the sufficiency of Christ's work (Galatians 5:4).
    • Antinomianism: This is the opposite extreme, asserting that because we are under grace, the Law has no relevance or authority for believers. This dismisses God's holy standards and the Law's continuing role in revealing sin and guiding righteous living for those redeemed by Christ. The Law, though fulfilled, still reveals God's will.
    • Cultural Relativism: While some aspects of the Old Testament Law were culturally specific to ancient Israel, we must be careful not to dismiss all challenging passages as merely "ancient culture" without seeking the underlying, unchanging moral or theological principle.
    • Cherry-Picking: Do not selectively apply laws that seem convenient or culturally acceptable while ignoring others. A consistent hermeneutic, based on Christ's fulfillment and the categories of law, is essential.

    Reading the Old Testament Law requires careful, prayerful study, guided by the Holy Spirit. It is a journey of discerning God's eternal character and His redemptive plan culminating in Jesus Christ.

    Conclusion: A Living Word

    The Old Testament Law is not a dusty relic of a bygone era, but a living and powerful part of God's inspired Word. It reveals God's holiness, His justice, His mercy, and His covenant faithfulness. While its ceremonial and civil aspects have been fulfilled in Christ, its moral principles remain eternally binding, deepened and empowered by the New Covenant Spirit. By understanding its categories, recognizing Christ as its fulfillment, and applying sound interpretive principles, we can glean profound wisdom and instruction for our lives as believers today. The Law, properly understood, drives us to Christ for salvation and guides us in a life that honours Him, demonstrating the enduring truth that "the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalms 19:7).