Deuteronomy 10:12-13

What are your first thoughts when you think of law? Police officers, traffic tickets, judges, and jail? Or do you think of restrictions, rules, authoritarian parents, and punishment? Or, perhaps, do you think of order, harmony, stability? Or maybe even … love?

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The Hebrew word torah, translated “law” in our Bibles, means “teaching” or “instruction.” The term can be used to refer to all God’s instructions, whether moral, civil, social, or religious. It implies all the wise counsels God has graciously given His people, so they may experience an abundant life both physically and spiritually. No wonder the psalmist could call the man blessed whose “delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

As we read the law or Torah — the instructions and teachings recorded in the books of Moses that became a part of Israel’s covenant — we are impressed with the wide range of instruction. The law touches upon every part of Israel’s lifestyle — agriculture, civil government, social relationships, and worship.

Why do you suppose God provided so much instruction for Israel? (See Deuteronomy 10:13.) In what ways were these instructions for their “good”?

The work of the “law” within the covenant was to provide guidelines to the new life of the human-covenant partner. The law introduces the member of the covenant to the will of God, whom one comes to know in the fullest sense through obedience by faith to His commandments and other expressions of His will.

The part played by the law within the living reality of the covenant relationship showed that Israel could not follow the ways of other nations. They could not live by natural law, human needs, desires, or even social, political, and economic necessities alone. They could continue as God’s holy nation, priestly kingdom, and special treasure only through uncompromising obedience to the revealed will of the covenant-making God in all areas of life.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “Covenant Law” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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This quarter “The Week at a Glance” shows God’s covenant is spoken of mostly. God has made his promises (covenant) with many people in the Bible, and continues to give us promises for today, hence for a theme hymn I find that I wish to keep standing on the Promises that God has given to us all –
Hymn 518 – Standing on the Promises as
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less – Hymn 522.

Hymn 537 – He Leadeth Me comes from the Sabbath afternoons reading in Psalm 23. This is followed by
Hymn 546 – The Lord’s My Shepherd showing the paths of righteousness that are in Psalm 119.

Israel is not the only one due redemption (Sunday) with
The Wonders of Redeeming Love – Hymn 179. We may add
Hymn 337/338 – Redeemed!

Today we may share the covenant that God has with us as in
Hymn 347 – Built On the Rock.

Just as the Israelites had the law given to Moses for them, so we have God’s law today in the Bible:
Hymn 277 – For Your Holy Book We Thank You.

Thursday shows God acknowledging Abraham’s faithful obedience which we are able to sing in
Hymn 590 – Trust and Obey,
Hymn 279 – Only Trust Him, and
Hymn 510 – If You Trust in God to Guide You.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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“And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone” (Deuteronomy 4:13).

However much we have been stressing that the covenant is always a covenant of grace, that it is only the result of God’s bestowing unmerited favor upon those who enter into a saving relationship with Him, grace is not a license to disobey. On the contrary, covenant and law belong together; they are, in fact, inseparable.

Look at the text quoted above. How tightly does it link the covenant and the law? How does it show how basic the law is to the covenant?

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When you think about what a covenant is, the concept of law as an integral part makes sense. If we understand the covenant as among other things, a relationship, then some sort of rules and boundaries need to be drawn. How long would a marriage or a friendship or a business partnership last if there were no boundaries or rules, either specifically expressed or tacitly understood? The husband decides to take a girlfriend or the friend decides to help himself to the other’s wallet, or one business partner without telling the other invites another person to join their venture. These acts would be a violation of rules, laws, and principles. How long would these relationships last under such lawless circumstances? That is why there has to be boundaries, lines drawn, and rules established. Only through these can the relationship be maintained.

In fact, various expressions such as law (Ps: 78:10) statutes (Ps: 50:16), testimonies (Ps: 25:10), commandments (Ps: 103:18), and word of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:9) are found parallel to or in closest association with (if not having almost the same meaning as) the word covenant. Evidently “the words of this covenant” (Jeremiah 11:3, Jeremiah 11:6, Jeremiah 11:8) are the words of God’s law, statutes, testimonies, and commandments.

The covenant of God with His people Israel contained various requirements that would be crucial for maintaining the special relationship He sought with His people. Is it any different today?

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Key Thought: God’s law was an integral part of the covenant. Law is a means by which grace is manifested and expressed in the lives of those who receive grace.
May 22, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 4:13.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How closely is God’s covenant linked to His law?
3. Personal Application: Can you have a love relationship with someone without any rules to guide you? Why or why not? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If the Old Covenant is linked to the Ten Commandments, then the New Covenant destroyed the need for obedience to the Ten Commandments. The New Covenant is based on grace, not law.” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 10:12,13.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why is the law- teaching and instruction – good for us and our children and society?
3. Personal Application: What kind of laws or rules do you have in your household that make sense to you and help keep it running smoothly? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: “I see rules and laws as being restrictive to my freedom and ability to have independent thought and action. I want to choose my own boundaries. I can’t see how that can hurt anyone.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Amos 3:3..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does the presence of God’s law in the covenant relationship teach us about God’s essential nature?
3. Personal Application: In what ways are marriage vows between a husband and wife similar to the covenant between God and His people? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “If the law can’t save us from sin, why is it part of the agreement between God and men?“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 5:33..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How do blessings and obedience relate to each other here? Does obedience earn blessings?
3. Personal Application: Is it possible that we run the risk of making ourselves ineffective because we do not uphold the law and make it honorable?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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