A Case for the Old Testament: Does the Mosaic Law Foreshadow Jesus?

We have been looking at the concept of foreshadowing over the past several posts and have discovered that almost everything recorded in the Old Testament points, in one way or another, to Jesus. It seems as though God wanted to show us in advance what would come through His Son. It also begs the question that if what we see in the Old Testament is often two fold in nature (narrating an event then and foreshadowing Jesus) could it be that there are also foreshadows for future times as we see in the book of Revelation?

We saw this with the Plagues of Egypt in the sense that the Passover foreshadowed what Jesus would do, but also in the sense that many of the plagues seem to picture apocalyptic times in the future that parallels the book of Revelation. This makes studying the Old Testament even more exciting as we keep this mind. We need to remember that the Covenants of the Old Testament were specifically promised to the Nation of Israel and this is true of both the blessings and the curses contained within.

Praise God that we can choose to be under the New Covenant through the shed blood of Jesus, and His resurrection in defeat of death and Satan. However, the Old Covenant is not discarded, in fact Jesus said: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 So the question we can ask is: Is all accomplished? The answer is no because Jesus promised a second coming and there is still a final battle to be won!

Who’s side of the battle do you want to be on?

Do you get tough questions about how Christians should interpret the Old Testament Law? Take some time to watch this presentation by Pastor Mark Winger as he makes it easy to understand: “How to Understand Old Testament Law”

It is important to remember that the Mosaic Law was given specifically to the Nation of Israel. It was designed to govern this Nation and set it apart as a Holy Nation representing the One True Living God. Most of these rules and regulations were specific to governing the people in that specific time and culture, just as we have laws specific to our own communities and nations today. However, many of these laws are still modeled in governments today because they work! Many of the food requirements are modeled in healthy diets today because they work! And, the moral codes within this Law are based on a “universal moral law” that is ingrained in all of us by our Creator.

Categories of the Mosaic Law:

Civil and criminal conduct—rules for living together as a nation
Moral, health and safety conduct—rules for right living, proper diet and germ avoidance
Ceremonial and ritual conduct—worship rules that included sacrifices for praise; sacrifices for wrongs committed; offerings to honor God; festivals and priestly duties.

Important Note: Despite similarities to other cultures and religions of the times, the Hebrew practices remained distinct in several ways:

The idea of direct divine revelation and Theophanies (appearances of the LORD)
The concept of strict monotheism (Deut. 6:4)
The highly ethical and moral nature of Hebrew religion in contrast to the Canaanite fertility cult
The holy righteous character of YAWH (God) in contrast to the capricious behavior of the pagan deities
The prohibition of human sacrifice

The Old Testament principle is applied in the New Testament:

Jesus says in John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” [Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit].
Jesus sums up the Law in Luke 10:27 when He gives this New Testament Command: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, love your neighbor as yourself.”

Bible Study Points:

Read Exodus chapters 16-24

Chapter 16: The people are grumbling against Moses because they had no food. The LORD then provided Quail at night and Manna in the morning (Manna = “What is it” in the Hebrew). However, many of the people failed to follow the LORD’s direction for collection and use of this food and we see the beginning of disobedience in the people that will later result in the LORD’s discipline through hardship and death.
Chapter 17: The people complained again because they could not find water, so the LORD provided water from the rock at Horeb through Moses’ striking it with his staff. We meet Joshua in this chapter as he leads the Israelites in defeat of the Amalekites who had come out to attack them (as long as Moses held his hands up the Israelites would win, if his hand went down they began to lose so Aaron and Hur helped keep him steady until victory was achieved).
Chapter 18: Jethro visits Moses and helps establish the first democratic society still modeled today.
Chapter 19: The expansion of the Abrahamic Covenant and the protection clause begins to take effect. (Read 19:3-8) Moses renews the Covenant from the LORD with the people and the people say “they will,” but soon they won’t (and the consequences will be devastating).
Chapter 20: After deliverance from slavery in Egypt God gives Moses The Book of the Covenant and The Decalogue (The Ten Commandments) which reveals something of what it means to be God’s people, a holy people. God expects His nature to be reflected in His people. God expects His people to be separate so that they will remain the “pure” people whom the blessing will come through.

The Ten Commandments (20:1-18)

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol.
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Honor your father and mother
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor

Notice…

The first four commandments point to a relationship with God.
The last six commandments point to relationships among human

Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments in Luke 10:27:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, [the first four commandments] and, love your neighbor as yourself [the last six commandments].

As you read through the laws (throughout the rest of the Torah), you will notice the emphasis on the protection clause and the removal of it if disobedient.

Chapter 21: Laws are given concerning Hebrew servants and personal injuries
Chapter 22 Laws are given concerning protection of property and social responsibility
Chapter 23: Laws are given concerning justice and mercy, Sabbath Laws and the three annual festivals: Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest, and Feast of Ingathering. This chapter also points out the fact that God sends the Angel of the LORD ahead of the Nation as they traveled, and they are warned to obey and follow Him (Angel of the LORD=Jesus)
Chapter 24: God’s Covenant with the Nation of Israel is confirmed

Note: The laws continue on through the book of Leviticus and are repeated in the book of Deuteronomy for the new generation.

Watch this short clip by the “Bible Project” on the Law and the Prophets:

Bible Study Review:

How did Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, advise Moses in governing the people? (18:17-27)
What did God have Moses say to the people of Israel (19:3-8), and how did they respond? Do you think the people will keep their word to God?
Write out the “Ten Commandments” (20:3-17). How did Jesus summarize these commandments for us in the New Testament? (See Matthew 22:35-40) Reflect on how they affect our relationship with God and with each other.
What did Moses do to have the people affirm the Covenant with God?(24:3-8) Do you see a foreshadowing of Jesus through the sacrifice with blood? (24:8)
How would you respond to this question: “Do Christian have to follow the Old Testament Law? Why or why not?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the Old Testament” with a focus on Jesus and the Tabernacle!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15