The Wayside Pulpit No.91
"The Kindly Laws of the Old
Testament"
In this third and last
paper on the subject of God's Laws, we have been warmed and instructed by a
small booklet having the above title, written by Thomas Cameron. (Lutterworth
Press, 1945) I should like to use his thesis, with a few additions, in this
article.
Before embarking on the
subject, let me say yet again how disturbing we find it when some
Christians pour scorn on God's Laws, as though His legislation was something
that was intrinsically bad. I am, of course, aware of Colossians 2:14, (the
source of their assertion) where Paul said that "the handwriting of
ordinances which was against us, which was contrary to us, He took out of
the way, nailing it to His cross." But when this verse is lined up with
the great volume of Paul's teaching on the subject, we are left with the
inescapable conclusion that it was the CONDEMNATION that was removed, enabling
us to have new life in Christ, where under the New Covenant we find God's Laws
written in our hearts instead of on tablets of stone. The purpose of
the Law was to highlight our sinful condition and drive us to the cross in
repentance. God forbid that we should thereafter walk in lawlessness. Consider
the following list of twelve "kindly laws."
1. FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY.
Deut.15:12-13. After six years the Hebrew servant was to be given his
freedom. In addition, he was not allowed to go out from his master's house with
nothing. He was to be supplied liberally, to enable him to set up his own home.
2. LOST PROPERTY.
Deut.22:1-3 "Finders keepers" was NOT to be a part of life. We
are required to look after lost property until the owner is found.
3. BATTLEMENTS FOR SAFETY.
Deut.22:8 Houses with flat roofs, and those with parapets MUST have
safety walls, otherwise the owner will be guilty of manslaughter if someone
falls to his death.
4. PROMPT PAYMENT OF WAGES.
Lev.19:13, Deut.24:14-15. The master must not withhold payment of wages, but
imburse his servant at the end of the day.
5. CONSIDERATION FOR THE
POOR. Deut.24:19, Lev.19:9. Gleanings at harvest time, and the
"forgotten sheaf" must be left for the poor.
6. CARE FOR ANIMALS AND
BIRDS. Deut.22:6-7, 25:4. The ox must not be muzzled whilst treading the corn.
Mother birds must not be removed from their nests. Neither must ALL the
eggs be taken by one who is hungry.
7. KINDNESS TO THE DEAF AND
BLIND. Lev.19:14 It is shameful to mock those who are deprived of their
sight or hearing.
8. HONESTY IN THE HANDLING
OF MERCHANDISE. Deut.25:13 Fair dealing in all business transactions is
imperative. Accuracy of weights and measures required.
9. REVERENCE FOR OLD AGE.
Lev.19:32 The white-haired elder must be given proper respect by younger
members of the community.
10. MIXTURES ARE
DISALLOWED. Deut.22:9-11 Garments must not be made using a mixture of
wool and cotton. Textile manufacturers will vouch for this today. The garment
would soon pull apart. The fibres do not "marry together". ( Today
man-made fibres enable the two to marry but that's not relevant to the point. )
The same is true for carpets.
11. FAMILY LOANS MUST NOT
ATTRACT INTEREST. Deut.23:19. When your brother is need of a loan, you must not
charge him interest. Outside the family it is acceptable, but not with
brethren.
12. JOY FOR THE NEWLY-WEDS.
Deut.24:5 The bridegroom shall be exempted from military service and all
business matters for a whole year, so that he can "cheer up his
wife," in other words, the Lord wanted the new marriage to be effectively
welded into a union of spirits.
- - - - - - - -oOo- - - - - - - -
The whole spirit of these
laws, when applied to modern living, is accepted not only by Christians, but
also by most decent-living people. In fact many of our social laws are founded
on this ancient legislation. To honour such laws is to recognise the true heart
and character of the Lord Himself, and in the Day of Judgment, all men will
find that they are rewarded or punished in accordance with their attitude
towards God's laws. We do not keep these laws to obtain justification,
(the mistake the Jews made), but out of a heart of reverence towards God, the
Author of good and kindly laws.
Psalm 119:97 "O how I
love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day."
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they who love Thy law, and they shall have
no stumbling block."
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