It Speaks, But to Whom?

 It Speaks, But to Whom?

Over the years I have heard many different people’s perspectives on the OT Law and our obligation to it. Whether we are talking about the Law referring to the 10 Commandments, the complete OT, the Torah (Pentateuch), or simply the Law and the Prophets, people’s perspectives differ. Theologians likewise differ. Some of my friends and/or acquaintances brood over certain Jewish feasts or traditions. Some keep the Sabbath out of duty, while others out of festivity celebrate feasts such as Purim and Tabernacles. What are the NT’s requirements regarding the Law? 

The other day I was reading Romans and came across this Scripture: 

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God. Romans 3:19 NASB

The word translated Law (nomos), which is capitalized in the NASB, is a generic term meaning law. It could be moral law, the law of sin and death, the Mosaic Law, the Law and the Prophets, or the whole of the OT, or some other law. Just which law or Law is determined by its context. In Romans 3:19 above “Law” is capitalized in the NASB because the context clearly denotes specific law that is associated with the Old Testament. The scriptures that proceed it are from Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah, so we must admit that the Law here is more far reaching than the Mosaic Law or the 10 Commandments. However, it must include them due to verse 20. As we juxtaposed verse 20 with Romans 7:7 below, where the 10 Commandments are clearly portrayed, we undoubtedly see the correlation: 

…because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 

…I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” Romans 7:7 

Whichever Law is discussed here in Romans 3:19 (and believe me commentaries are all over the place), a definitive conclusion can be made that the statement “whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law” is referring to the Jew as the one who is under this Law. To paraphrase then, it would read, “whatsoever the Law’s requirements are, it is only speaking to the OT Jew who is under that OT Law.” Hebrews 8:13 goes so far as to say that the Old Covenant is obsolete.  

Ok take a breath and let’s move forward to get where I’m heading. 

Dear Christian, you are not an OT Jew. Therefore, what the Law says, it is not speaking to you, as it did to the Jew. You, if you are in Christ, you are free from the Law. Free—I mean really free! But that is not where it ends.  

1 Timothy 1:8 says that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully. The Law is detrimental, however, if one uses it illegally. It will wrap you up into a condemnation ball if you mishandle it. Worse yet, it can lead you astray from the grace that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul says in Galatians 5:4 that those who seek to be justified by law (any law) have been severed from Christ and have fallen from grace. Paul also equates works of the Law with the flesh—not with faith and not with grace (Galatians 3:2-3). There is benefit to the Christian in the Law:  

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction [to teach us], so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4  

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction [warning, admonition], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11  

Furthermore, the OT gives us great insight into the character of God and His interactions with man. Insights into creation, sin, God’s protection of His people, His absolute sovereignty; there are types, prophecies, prophecies regarding our age and Messiah. Israel's history, the Psalms, and God’s supremacy from beginning to end is all beautifully displayed in the pages of the OT. Reading about David and his exploits, his ravished heart for God, his sin, and his calling as a little shepherd boy all give us hope. There’s Abraham and his many failures turned to being the friend of God. And as Hebrews 11:32 confesses: time will fail me if I tell of the rest. 

We do see ourselves in the pages of the OT. As we read it, it speaks to us too.

But we cannot—we must not—find our rightness-with-God there. There is only one place to find that and His Name is Jesus Christ. 

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4