Contrast Between The Mosaic System and Christianity

A. The Mosaic system was preparatory to the coming of the Christianity. While the two systems
were complimentary, there are significant differences. Gal. 4:1-3. In this context the apostle
refers to the condition of the world (including the Mosaic system) prior to the introduction of
the religion of Jesus Christ. It was a child?like state, lacking maturity; it was a sort of
“kindergarten” condition. Where only the ABCs (“rudiments”) were known.
a. By way of contrast, Christianity is a system that expects a deeper level of service to
God. There are several ways to illustrate this principle.
(A) One is a greater degree of toleration. When one is a child, more is tolerated in terms of
behavior. For example, we may think it “cute” when a baby throws his peas on the
floor. We would not entertain a similar view if our twenty?one year old child did
the same. We anticipate that siblings will argue occasionally over a toy. We hope
they will not stoop to such as adults.
(1) The Bible makes it clear that, during the pre?Christian ages, God was more
tolerant of humanity’s weaknesses than is the case now. Example, in the
infancy period of history, Jehovah “suffered [permitted] the nations to walk in
their own ways,” Acts 14:16. Acts 17:30, says, “He “overlooked” their
ignorance, but now; (He exacts a more demanding response) the Lord
commands all men everywhere to repent.”
(a) Jesus once acknowledged that under the Hebrew system, Matt. 19:8,
“Moses, because of the hardness of the people’s hearts, allowed the practice
of capricious divorce.” The Lord affirmed, however, that this did
not represent the divine ideal and said, “...from the beginning it has not
been so....” And added that under his regime, a higher level of
accountability would be required, Vs. 9.
Paul, in Heb. 10:29, makes it frightfully clear that those who flaunt the
law of God in the Christian age will receive a “worse punishment” than those
who disobeyed under the former system, which was the Law of Moses.
In view of this, how could a person, living in the Christian era, ever feel
comfortable attempting to justify his moral or religious conduct by the standard
of the Old Testament? You cannot, It was a different standard.
A man once argued that he believed God would ignore frivolous divorce and remarriage today. His reasoning was: “If the Lord tolerated such under the Mosaic period, surely he will do so today; otherwise, there was more “grace” then than now.”
But if that is true then a man could have multiple wives today, because God tolerated (and even regulated) that practice under Moses. Abraham
had several wives, David had many wives and so did Solomon.
(2) The carnal, physical nature of the Mosaic system had a purpose. When one is young, he requires lots of visuals in his education. As he grows older, he learns to reason and to think abstractly. Thus, he is able to act more responsibly. This explains why there were so many carnal, fleshly, worldly elements, physical rules and regulations and “thou shall not’s” in the Hebrew system of worship

(1) Discussing the Old Testament tabernacle arrangement, in Heb. 9:9, Paul says these physical identifications, properties were but a “figure.” They were an Old Testament type, prophetic visual aids, that were given in preparation for the “time present,” (That time being the Christian era).
(1) He continued in Vs. 10, by describing the components of the Mosaic law as “carnal ordinances” (Expressed in physical, worldly elements that are easily understood by unspiritual people). And they were imposed until the time of reformation, (Reformation being the Christian age).
(2) For instance, under the Levitical system, there were animal sacrifices. But, Paul says, all of these were made obsolete by the offering of Jesus, Heb. 10:10?14. Today, Christians themselves are living sacrifices, offered daily in divine service. Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 4:6. Under the Moses’ there was a literal temple, that has been replaced by a spiritual edifice of living stones 1 Pet. 2:5; Acts 17:24. They had a tribal priesthood but, that has been replaced by every child of God being a priest who is qualified to approach the Creator because of Jesus our High priest 1 Pet. 2:5, 9.
(2) In their worship they offered the burning of incense. David introduced the use of various instruments of music, Amos 6:4. Under Christ, the instrument of musical praise is the human voice combined with the melody of the heart, Eph. 5:19. And today the burning of incense is replaced with the sweet aroma of our prayers ascending up unto the Lord, Rev. 5:8.
(1) Why would anyone want to return to that “kindergarten” system, instead of enjoying the blessings of maturity in Christ? When one is a child, he must be told virtually everything to do. Brush your teeth, pick up your clothes, eat your peas, don’t play in the street. As he grows, he is able to act more responsibly, and functions according to loftier principles, and the exercising of choices which bring honor to his parents.
(2) Moses Law contained minute dietary regulations and clothing specifications. All kinds of of civil, social, and religious details. Here’s what you can eat and how you cook it. What you can do and not do on the sabbath and how you must dress, how you must prepare and offer your sacrifices and when you must offer your sacrifices. Detailed control and regulation as you do with children who needs minute guidance and detailed instruction to become mature and principled. It’s not like that in Christianity. Those things had a purpose. Paul explains it in Gal. 3:24?25, “The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Then he tells us about it in Rom. 15:4, “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning.” From that tutorial we read and learn what God expects. He told the Corinthians in 1 Cor 10:6?11.
(3) While it certainly is true that we are under law to Christ 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2. And though it is the case that there are some strong, bsolute requirements. Such as instructions about how to become Christians. Prohibitions about how we conduct ourselves socially and morally.....”Do not murder, steal, commit adultery.” Nonetheless, in many instances the New Testament deals in principle. It addresses attitudes, motives and calls for responsible, mature submission to the will of God.

(1) Think about these concepts: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Matt. 7:12; “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Matt. 6:33; “Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men,” Rom. 12:17; “Abstain from every form of evil” 1 Thess. 5:22;
“...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mk. 12:30-31.
(2) I Marvel at how God has honored us by teaching us, allowing us, trusting us to love Him and each other enough to make mature decisions, that would bring honor, dignity and pride in learning enough to always strive to be and to do what is good in life. We can grow up and want to abandon childish attitudes, and serve the Lord with mature dignity.
(3) Acts 20:32, “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Spur - 08/18/02