Monday, June 10, 2019

The Just Society

"And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" (Deuteronomy 4:8).

As Moses brought to a close the historical prologue section of the covenant renewal, he reminded the people how they had heard the law of God on Mt. Sinai. This provided a transition into the next section of the covenant, which is the actual Law itself (Deuteronomy 4:44–26:19).

Moses told the people that if they obeyed the Law, they would be esteemed wise among all the nations. Righteous living would have an evangelistic effect, because as the nations admired the Law and sought to find out more about it, they would be led to the God who gave the Law (Deuteronomy 4:6–8).

Surely the most valuable study of jurisprudence that could be undertaken today would be a close examination of the Old Testament law. We should study it diligently to gain societal wisdom. 

Unfortunately, we often have a false view of the Old Testament law. Too many people believe it is harsh and severe. A study of God’s law however, reveals quite the opposite, for just as God is love, so His law is the expression of His love.

Something is wrong with the church in our culture today. How do you think the average church member would react to learn that you have undertaken a study of Old Testament Law to gain wisdom for today’s world? Most Christians would shrink in horror at the idea. People look at the law and say it is cruel and bloodthirsty (implying that the God who gave it is also cruel and bloodthirsty), but the Bible says the national laws God gave Israel were wise, righteous, and just.

Part of the reason people react against Old Testament law is because they are misinformed. They have never read and studied the social laws in Exodus 21–23, Leviticus 19, and Deuteronomy 5–26. 

But another reason people react against the law is that they are estranged from God. They want a God of “love,” as they define love. They don’t want the biblical God of love, whose love is inseparable from justice, holiness, and righteousness. As Bible-believing Christians, however, we need only ask ourselves one question: Has ever a land had a law as just and righteous as the law God gave Israel?

The answer to that last question is obvious and its implications are clear: If we want to have a just society, we need to learn the wisdom and principles of the law of God in its social and national dimensions. We may have to change our minds about some things, though. Consider which state or federal law might need to change to conform with the principles of God’s law and character.