Hermeneutics Lesson IX:The Law

A) Preliminaries

When discussing the Law, several things may be meant. Sometimes the entire OT is called “the law” (John 10:34, 12:34, 15:25, I Cor. 14;21). Usually however, we think of the law as the first 5 books of the OT – The Law of Moses. Even then the law proper is found only in Exodus-Deuteronomy, and much of that is narrative, with other types of literature sprinkled in.

B) The Law and the Christian

1. Determining the nature of the law

The Law of Moses is a covenant between God and Israel.

A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more parties,

which obligates the parties to its provisions. Sometimes covenants were between more or less equal

parties (e.g. I Sam. 18:3, I Kings 5:12) and may be called “parity

covenants.”

“Suzerainty Covenants”

• Preamble – the author of the covenant identifies himself (Ex. 20:2)

• Historical prologue (Ex. 20:2)• Stipulations (Ex. 20:3-23:19)• Blessings and cursings (here

we find mostly blessings - Ex. 23:20-33).

• Provision for continual reading (Ex. 24:7)

• Witnesses listed (Ex. 24:3,7)• Oath (Ex. 24:3)

2. The Christian Application of

the Law

The OT Law is still in force,

insofar as the NT

says it’s in force.

Principles for Interpreting the Law

a)The Law was never intended to be a means of meriting salvation.

b)There are two types of law: casuistic and apodictic.

c) Specific examples in specific laws do not exhaust all implications of those laws.

d)After implications are determined, look for significance/applications.

e)Some prohibitions may not be clear without help from the experts.