The Law by Moses
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.


God's education of the world, class by class — the Law one of the most important lessons ever taught it. Advisable to review these old lessons.

I. THE LAW. Wider and narrower meanings of the word.

1. Political, representing the theocratic idea.

2. The ceremonial, representing the sacrificial.

3. Moral, representing the inculcation of holiness. A remarkable foreshadowing of the Holy Trinity.

II. BY WHOM GIVEN: Moses. Fulness of accounts concerning him. Scenes and dates of his life easily traceable.

1. His outer life.

(1)  Education.

(2)  Energy.

(3)  Patriotism.

2. His inner life.

(1)  Meekness, disinterestedness (Exodus 32:20-32).

(2)  Prayerfulness.

III. TO WHOM GIVEN

1. Not to the world, but to a peculiar people; this contrary to human practice, and a proof of heavenly origin.

2. To a people specially prepared from the time of Abraham in all the circumstances of their national life and location.

3. To a people who nevertheless failed to keep it in its entirety for a single generation. Hence we see that, while God has always a law, and that law has always been in its great characteristics the same, man has always failed to keep it.

(W. L.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

WEB: For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.




Points, of Contrast Between Judaism and Christianity
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