“The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). There are approximately 613 different laws that make up what we commonly call the Law of Moses. Few if any, save a few devout orthodox Jews, have them memorized or could even list a fraction of them. Most would struggle to get through the Ten Commandments, which are really kind of a prelude or introduction to the Law.
Have you ever wondered why God gave the Jews so many laws? I guess there are a number of answers one could give. Some might say, for instance, that the ancient Jewish people lived under what you might call a Limited Theocracy, where God is not only the spiritual leader, but the civil governing body as well. Thus, He gave them not only a spiritual law, but a civil law, too.
Yet, I think another very strong argument that we could make, and perhaps one that is a little more practical and perhaps not fraught with some difficulties, is the simple fact that God went out of His way to give us abundant evidence for the need of a Savior. Consider those 613 laws in light of what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:24-25. “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
The Law of Moses pointed to something. It pointed to the same fact that you and I face every day. We have been sold to sin and fall short at every turn. Yet, we have a Savior who lived and died for us so that our failure to uphold the law may be turned into victory. In this day, let us remember just how much of a debt that we owe and thank our great and gracious God for the sacrificial Son He gave for our weaknesses.
