A Word on the Law

In Hebrew Bible this week, we are talking about the Law found in the first five books of the Bible. Leviticus and Deuteronomy are not winning many award for readability or excitement.

Passage after passage identifies where people can and cannot go in order to remain within the will of God. It can sometimes feel like we are being lectured by a parent when reading passages of the law.

Furthermore it feels as if we are being lectured by a parent who is from a completely different time, place, and lifestyle.

“If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. 2 If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. 3 Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.”

— Deuteronomy 22:1-3

Ok, sure thing! I will keep my eyes peeled for stray sheep and ox! How should I apply this to my life in the 21st century, Almighty God? I have the Internet, but I have no oxen. Does this just mean I need to be looking for stray puppies as much as I can?

Here’s where I learned something important— Hebrew Law separated itself from other Ancient Near East Law because it was based off of the goodness of G-d and not the righteousness or power of a man. The law was different from other laws because it was made to help Israelites become more like God, not so that order could be maintained underneath a tyrannical ruler.

“17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. ”

— Leviticus 19:17

And then we have laws like this. Could you imagine your local constable bringing you up on charges because you held a grudge? What if your city council mandated that you should be reasonable. First of all, I would probably support such a measure. And secondly— it would make no sense because this is not the purview of our government, right?

That’s what makes God’s Law so rich and meaningful. It wasn’t just there to make the civil world work right— it was there to make the hearts of the community unite towards something greater and more meaningful. The law gave people a place to move towards, not only with their oxen, but with their hearts as well.