Opus 2024-111: Emily Leviticus Post

I continue to think about the Law given in the Pentateuch.

I am wondering if the original purpose of the Mosaic law was more a book of etiquette, instead of a penal code.  When Moses brought Israel out of Egypt, they had been so saturated in the pagan culture that they had no sense of how to live a moral and upright life.  The law was given as instructions on civil living in order that they could have liberty and be able to reach their potential.

This is a different issue than the Law.  It would be education instead of salvation.  Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  He was given a promise from God.  God called Abraham out of paganism.  He established a covenant with him.  The concept of the chosen people follows down through that line until they all end up in Egypt where they eventually became slaves.  Up until that time there was very little instruction that God gave them in how they should live or relate to each other.  They were essentially monotheists of a sort in a polytheist culture.  They had much to learn.

They did not learn it in Egypt.  The flow of culture went the other way if anything.  God gave Moses the Law.  Moses passed it on.  The learning began.  Although the lessons were to be followed as individuals, the covenant was with a people.  It was painful.

Much of what is lumped with “the Law” is related to the period in Jewish history that had a temple and a priesthood.  That is in limbo.  The ethical and theological points are still something we need to learn and apply, even as we are saved by grace through faith.

That is how I am working right now.  The thought process will continue.

homo unius libri