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THE LAW OF GOD

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, Nos. 1 & 2.

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THE LAW OF GOD.

Knowledge of the principles of the Ten Commandments existed before they were given on Sinai. (1) Gen. xxxv, 1–4; (2) Gen. xxxi, 19, 34, 35; xxxv, 2, 4; (3) Lev. xviii, 3, 21, 24, 27; (4) Gen. ii, 1–4; Mark ii, 27; Gen. viii, 10, 12; xxix, 27, 28; Ex. xvi, 4, 22, 23, 25–30; (5) Gen. ix, 20–25; (6) Gen. iv, 8–11, 23, 24; ix, 5, 6; (7) Gen. xx, 5–9; xxxviii, 24; xxxix, 7–9; (8) Gen. xxx, 33; xxxi, 19, 30, 32, 39; xliv, 8; (9) Gen. xxxix, 7–20; (10) The fact that the transgression of the tenth commandment must precede the violation of the eighth, and that the eighth was known, and its violation considered worthy of death, is sufficient evidence that the principle of the tenth commandment was known before the law was given at Sinai. Also no mention is made of the violation of the third commandment in the book of Genesis; but profanity was among the sins of the nations living in Canaan before the law was given at Sinai. If those nations were ignorant of the matter of the third commandment, then profanity was not an abomination in them; for “sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Rom. v, 13.
1. The Law of God a Rule of Action. “Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. xii, 13; Deut. xi, 18, 19; Ps. xxxvii, 30, 31; Matt. xix, 16, 17; Rom. ii, 13; iii, 19, 20; vii, 7; James i, 25; ii, 8–12; 1 John iii, 4; Rev. xxii, 14.
2. It is Perfect. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Ps. xix, 7–9; cxix, 138, 142, 151; Isa. xlviii, 18; Rom. vii, 12, 14, 22, 25.
3. Unlimited in its Duration. “The works of his hands are verity and judgment: all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” Ps. cxi, 7, 8; 1 Chron. xvi, 15–17; Ps. lxxxix, 30–32; cv, 8; cxix, 144, 152, 160; Matt. v, 18.
4. Ratified by the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. v, 17–19; xxii, 35–40; Rom. iii, 31; 1 Cor. vii, 19; v, 2, 3; Rev. xii, 17; xiv, 12; xxii, 14.