FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
CHRIST THE LAW-GIVER MAGNIFIES HIS LAW IN HIS GOSPEL
“The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify His law and make it honorable.” Isa.42:21.
The gospel-prophet prophesied that central to Christ’s mission and work on earth as the Messiah, was to magnify His law that was transgressed by His backsliding people, trampled upon by apostates and corrupted by the wicked.
How did God give His law? Only after the grand and awful preparation for it, in silence.
“And now the thunders ceased; the trumpet was no longer heard; the earth was still. There was a period of solemn silence.”
This how God in Christ through the the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience in a ‘still small voice.’ We cannot hear it with the noise of human passions raging in our hearts! He says, “be still and know that I am God.”
“And then the voice of God was heard. Speaking out of the thick darkness that enshrouded Him, as He stood upon the mount, surrounded by a retinue of angels, the Lord made known His law.”
“Moses, describing the scene, says: [Deut. 33:2,3 quoted]. Jehovah revealed Himself, not alone in the majesty of the Judge and Lawgiver, but as the compassionate Guardian of His people. [Exo. 20:2 quoted].
“He whom they had already known as their Guide and Deliverer, who had brought them forth from Egypt, making a way for them through the sea, and overthrowing Pharaoh and his hosts, who had thus shown Himself to be above all the gods of Egypt—He it was who now spoke His law [See Exodus 20].
“This law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, but it was to be held as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) are adapted to all mankind, and they are given for the instruction and government of all.”
“Ten precepts, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, cover the duty of man to God and to his fellowman; and all based upon the great fundamental principle of love. [See Luke 10: 25-28].” Patriarchs & Prophets, pp. 304,305.
Next we will see how the law is magnified and made honorable. It is not merely the “letter” or the literal meaning but the “spirit” of the law that gives life! (2 Cor. 3:6). It is impossible for a carnal mind to keep God’s law. There must first be a change of heart into “the new man in Christ Jesus.” NMF