Austin Bible Church
The Mosaic Law
The Mosaic Law contains has three parts that defined God's policy for Israel – Codex One, Codex Two, and Codex Three.
Codex One is the Ten Commandments or Decalogue. This defines freedom in terms of morality, privacy, property, and authority. Freedom is the basic heritage of a nation to God and is critical for the function of evangelism, spiritual growth, and missionary outreach.
Codex Two contains the ordinances or the spiritual code. The spiritual code includes the will and plan of God through ritual and oral communication. This involved details of the sacred furniture, the structure of the tabernacle and temple, the holy days, the function of the Levitical priesthood, and the Levitical offerings.
Codex Three is called the judgments or establishment code. It is a compilation of the Laws Of Divine Establishment or the code for civilization. It was for both believers and unbelievers in Israel. It includes the Divine Institutions - freedom of self-determination (Volition), Marriage, Family, and Nationalism.
It teaches the sanctity of life and property, freedom through military victory, separation of the state from business, the profit motive, and a system of tax laws (tithing). The judgments provide detail regarding diet, health, sanitation, military training, criminal and civil law, and capital punishment. It also included a justice system for handling of civil disputes, crimes, law enforcement, court trials with laws of evidence and punishment.
Codex Three rejects Socialism, the welfare state, or any implication that men are born equal. Equal opportunity does not imply equality. It also rejects civil disobedience, revolution in any form, the use of violence against establishment authority, and anti-Semitism.
An overall characteristic of the Mosaic Law is objectivity. There is no subjectivity in it nor sensitivity training. The Mosaic Law and slavery are not compatible. Freedom is enhanced by the Mosaic Law. People are free because of the grace of God. If you are going to enjoy life, you must have norms and standards which also present a viewpoint of life. This all tones up the frame of reference and enables you to have a capacity for spiritual and temporal life. See the category on the Mosaic Law.
Codex One - The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments were written by God on two stone tablets and then given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The record of the Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
The First Commandment: Exodus 20:3.
The first commandment deals with worship of only The God to the absolute exclusion of other gods. There are many religions that worship other gods. The first commandment also prohibits mental or soul idolatry.
""You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3, NASB)
The Second Commandment: Exodus 20:4-6.
The second commandment deals with idols or objects that depict other gods (any likeness) to which people may render overt worship. This includes idols such as the golden calf of the Exodus, statues of God or Christ and “any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth” which includes worshipping fish, oxen, the cow, or any animal or bird or sea life.
""You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6, NASB)
In Exodus 20:5, “serve them” refers to providing sacrifices (animal), food, clothing, human sacrifices, and entering into the sexual activities of the Phallic Cult. “Am a jealous God” is an anthropopathism that conveys God the Father’s policy of forbidding idolatry in any form. This was for the protection of Israel and to keep the nation from moral and immoral degeneracy.
“Iniquity of the fathers” means that negative volition cannot be perpetuated past four generations. If so, divine discipline escalates to include death of the family line, war, famine, pestilence and the many forms of the five cycles of divine discipline on a nation that opposes God and turns away from His mandates. In Jeremiah’s day, negative volition for two generations resulted in the Fifth Cycle of Discipline. Exodus 20:6 shows the positive side of this commandment to them that have positive volition toward God and His commandments.
Overt idolatry is said to be contact with demons which destroys human freedom and ultimately the nation. 1 Cor. 10:19-21; Isaiah 2:8; Ezek. 6:4-6.
“What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-21, NASB)
“Their land has also been filled with idols; They worship the work of their hands, That which their fingers have made.” (Isaiah 2:8, NASB)
“"So your altars will become desolate and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will make your slain fall in front of your idols. "I will also lay the dead bodies of the sons of Israel in front of their idols; and I will scatter your bones around your altars. "In all your dwellings, cities will become waste and the high places will be desolate, that your altars may become waste and desolate, your idols may be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be blotted out.” (Ezekiel 6:4-6, NASB)
The Third Commandment: Exodus 20:7.
The third commandment means to take an oath using the name of God such as; “as God is my witness, such and such happened” or to use God’s name to cover your lies. You can try to coerce some girl to marry you by saying, “It’s God’s will or the Lord led me to you.”
""You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7, NASB)
“You shall not take” is the qal imperfect of נשׂא (nâśâ') plus the negative is used as a prohibition. Translation, you shall not lift up the voice. “In vain” is שׁוא (shâv') and means for an evil purpose, for vanity, for a false purpose, for worthlessness.
This commandment prohibits the use of God’s name for vain and unworthy objects including false testimony in the name of God in a court of law and false swearing in any phase of life like, “as God is my witness.” You are either telling the truth or lying. Don’t bring God into it either way! Other examples include “so help me God” or in most instances, “God willing” or “God strike me dead.” These false oaths are often connected with an exaggeration or a half-lie with the intention to deceive.
Therefore, this commandment prohibits using the name of God to cover a lie, attaching God’s will or God’s name to some project which you want to get through. God’s name is rightly used in prayer, praise, thanksgiving, unconditional love toward others, and doctrinal communication. God’s name is not to be used in profanity, lying, hate, or bullying a congregation to take a course of action.
The Decalogue is designed to defend human liberty and freedom. “Will not leave him unpunished” is the piel imperfect of נקה (nâqâh) and means that the Lord will not acquit him.
The Fourth Commandment: Exodus 20:8-10.
In the Jewish Age, Saturday provided freedom. In the Church Age, Sunday provides freedom. In Exodus 20:8, “Remember” is the qal infinitive absolute of זכר (zâkar) and refers to the frame of reference and memory center in the right lobe of the soul and means to think Bible doctrine. “Sabbath” is שׁבּת (shabbâth) and is taken from the verb “to rest.” “To keep it holy” is the piel infinitive of קדשׁ (qâdash) and means to set apart, to consecrate, to do something on that day they didn’t do on other days - to rest. This means a complete relaxation day. See category on The Sabbath.
""Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you." (Exodus 20:8-10, NASB)
The Sabbath also recognizes that people who work for a living have to have time to rest. People need to rest to get ready for the next week. Without some rest, you become a slave to your job. You need opportunity to exercise your freedom and personal volition outside the workplace.
The Fifth Commandment: Exodus 20:12.
The fifth commandment establishes authority early in everyone’s life. The first authority in life is that of your parents. The fifth commandment says honor not love. It is more important for children to recognize the authority of their parents than to love them. Love will follow later in life. Many a young person has gone back to their parents and said, “I want to thank you for not letting me run loose. I want to thank you for not letting me date at 16 when I was so stupid. Thank you for keeping me from doing various things when everyone else did. Thank you for putting your foot down.”
""Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." (Exodus 20:12, NASB)
Honor means to recognize and orient to the authority of parents. Children who honor their parents in childhood and teenage years will live a longer life. See category on Authority Orientation.
The Sixth Commandment: Exodus 20:13.
The sixth commandment has to do with crime. God forbids murder, the unlawful taking of human life in private vengeance or otherwise. Murder is the basic violation of human freedom. People should live under the principle of “live and let live.” Killing is bona fide in justified warfare. Killing is bona fide in capital punishment. Killing is bona fide in protection of life, limb and protection of property in defense against criminals. See category on Murder.
""You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13, NASB)
The Seventh Commandment: Exodus 20:14.
The seventh commandment deals with the sanctity of sex only within marriage of a man and his woman. Acceptance of sexual intercourse outside of marriage is a good indicator of the level of moral degeneracy of a society and a nation. Our Lord reminded us in Matthew 5:27-30 that the marriage sexual relationship must be guarded diligently. See category on Marriage, Sex in Marriage.
“"You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14, NASB)
""You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30, NASB)
Adultery is both a sin and an attack on human freedom. Capacity for love and life is distorted and ruined, so that adultery not only abuses freedom, but destroys the possibility for happiness in life. A greater regard for the sanctity of marriage is needed today. Marriage vows are under attack today and many say they are not needed anymore and that marriage is outmoded. The Word of God says otherwise!
The Eighth Commandment: Exodus 20:15.
The eighth commandment emphasizes the right of private property and forbids theft or stealing that which you do not own. Theft has negative consequences in most societies. Where theft is allowed or such laws are not enforced, societal degeneracy results and freedom of property ownership is lost. Instead, we are to be content with what we have and trust God to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 6:6; Phil. 4:19.
""You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15, NASB)
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." (1 Timothy 6:6, NASB)
"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB)
The Ninth Commandment: Exodus 20:16.
The ninth commandment emphasizes the protection of human freedom through objectivity in the function of the law. This commandment forbids the sins of libel, slander, deceit, and calls for the truth and nothing but the truth. The laws of evidence demand truth in courtroom testimony. Hearsay is not admissible as testimony.
""You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16, NASB)
The ninth commandment forbids bribery and forgery and even the least suggestion contrary to truth. Such false witness is the most damaging in a court of law where false information is given or critical information is withheld to sway the outcome of the court’s decision. A nation and a society must function based on the rule of law. It cannot function properly with unchecked perjury, gossip and maligning.
The Tenth Commandment: Exodus 20:17.
The tenth commandment deals with desiring or coveting that which is not yours. This includes the possessions of others in all forms. “Covet” is חמד (châmad) and means to desire, to take pleasure in, to find delectable, to lust after.
""You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."" (Exodus 20:17, NASB)
God has promised to meet all our needs, both spiritual and physical with His grace resources in the spiritual life. Bible doctrine in the soul produces a contentment with what God has provided. Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33; Heb. 13:5.
"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, NASB)
""But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, NASB)
"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"" (Hebrews 13:5, NASB)