Introduction
The study of the Bible often involves looking at how God has dealt with humanity in different ages, or dispensations. A dispensation can be defined as a distinct period of time in which God tests mankind in a particular way, revealing His will and expectations, and holding humanity accountable for their response.
One of the most significant of these is the Dispensation of Law, which began with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai and continued until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This period covers much of the Old Testament, shaping Israel’s history, their covenant relationship with God, and ultimately pointing to the need for a Savior.
The Beginning of the Law
The Dispensation of Law began when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and gave them His commandments at Mount Sinai. Through Moses, God established a covenant with the nation of Israel, making them a peculiar people set apart for His glory.
In Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV), God declared, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”
God’s intention was for Israel to represent Him among the nations. The Law was not only a moral code but also a civil and ceremonial system, covering every aspect of life.
The Ten Commandments: The Moral Foundation
At the heart of the Law were the Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God on stone tablets. These commandments set forth the moral foundation for Israel, reflecting God’s holiness and righteousness.
Exodus 20:1-3 (KJV) states, “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
The Ten Commandments established God’s standard of holiness, addressing both man’s relationship with God and his relationship with others.
The Purpose of the Law
While the Law was good and holy, it was not given as a means of salvation but as a teacher and a guide, pointing out sin and revealing mankind’s inability to perfectly keep God’s standards.
Romans 3:20 (KJV) explains, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Similarly, Galatians 3:24 (KJV) states, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
The Law exposed sin and showed the need for grace and redemption through Christ.
Blessings and Curses of the Law
The covenant of the Law was conditional: obedience brought blessings, while disobedience brought curses. This was clearly outlined in Deuteronomy 28, where God promised prosperity, protection, and favor for obedience, but also warned of famine, defeat, and captivity for rebellion.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (KJV), “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
But for disobedience, Deuteronomy 28:15 (KJV) warns, “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.”
Israel’s history bears witness to both sides of this covenant.
Israel’s Failure Under the Law
Throughout their history, the people of Israel struggled to remain faithful to God’s covenant. Despite witnessing miracles, receiving the Law, and enjoying God’s presence, they frequently turned to idolatry, disobedience, and rebellion.
In Judges 2:11-12 (KJV), we read, “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.”
The prophets continually warned Israel of the consequences of their unfaithfulness, yet they persisted in rebellion, ultimately leading to the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.
The Law and the Promise of the Messiah
While the Law highlighted man’s inability to achieve righteousness, it also contained shadows and symbols pointing to the coming of Christ. The sacrificial system, the priesthood, and the tabernacle all served as foreshadows of the greater work of redemption that Christ would accomplish.
Hebrews 10:1 (KJV) declares, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”
Every sacrifice and offering under the Law pointed toward the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The End of the Dispensation of Law
The Dispensation of Law came to its conclusion with the coming of Christ, who fulfilled the Law in His life and death. Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17 (KJV), “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
On the cross, Christ bore the curse of the Law on behalf of sinners. Galatians 3:13 (KJV) states, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
Through His resurrection, Christ established the Dispensation of Grace, in which salvation is offered freely by faith apart from works of the Law.
Conclusion
The Dispensation of Law reveals both the holiness of God and the weakness of man. It demonstrated that no one could attain righteousness through their own efforts, for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, KJV)
Yet, it also pointed forward to the grace and salvation found in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law and made a way for all people to be reconciled to God.
In summary, the Dispensation of Law served as a necessary stage in God’s unfolding plan of redemption:
- It revealed God’s holiness.
- It exposed man’s sinfulness.
- It pointed to Christ, the only one who could fulfill the Law.
As Paul reminds us in Romans 10:4 (KJV), “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
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