Hermeneutics Lesson IX: The Law

1. Hermeneutics Lesson IX:The Law

2. A) Preliminaries When discussing the Law, several things may be meant. Sometimes the entire OT is called “the law” (John 10:34, 12:34, 15:25, I Cor. 14;21). Usually however, we think of the law as the first 5 books of the OT – The Law of Moses. Even then the law proper is found only in Exodus-Deuteronomy, and much of that is narrative, with other types of literature sprinkled in.

3. B) The Law and the Christian • Determining the nature of the law The Law of Moses is a covenant between God and Israel. A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more parties, which obligates the parties to its provisions. Sometimes covenants were between more or less equal parties (e.g. I Sam. 18:3, I Kings 5:12) and may be called “parity covenants.”

4. “Suzerainty Covenants” • Preamble – the author of the covenant identifies himself (Ex. 20:2) • Historical prologue (Ex. 20:2) • Stipulations (Ex. 20:3-23:19) • Blessings and cursings (here we find mostly blessings - Ex. 23:20-33). • Provision for continual reading (Ex. 24:7) • Witnesses listed (Ex. 24:3,7) • Oath (Ex. 24:3)

5. 2. The Christian Application of the Law The OT Law is still in force, insofar as the NT says it’s in force.

6. Principles for Interpreting the Law • The Law was never intended to be a means of meriting salvation. • There are two types of law: casuistic and apodictic. • Specific examples in specific laws do not exhaust all implications of those laws. • After implications are determined, look for significance/applications. • Some prohibitions may not be clear without help from the experts.