28: The Promises to Israel - The Entering of the Law (Part 1 of 2)

The Present Truth : November 12, 1896

“Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5.20

The object of the entering of the law at Sinai was “that the offense might abound.” Not that there might be more sin; for since we are warned not to continue in sin that grace may abound, it is evident that the righteous God would not deliberately increase sin in order that He might have an opportunity of exhibiting more grace. The law is not sin, but has the effect, by its own righteousness, of causing sin to “appear sin,” “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” Romans 7.13. The object, therefore, of the entering of the law at Sinai, was to cause the sin that already existed to stand out in its true nature and extent, so that the super abounding grace of God might be appreciated at its true value.

The entering of the law made the offence to abound. But the sin, which the law made to abound already, existed; “for until the law sin was in the world.” Romans 10.13. Therefore the law was also in the world before it was given upon Sinai, as well as after, for “sin is not imputed when there is no law.” To Isaac, God said, “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statues, and My laws.” Genesis 26.5. The blessedness of Abraham was that of sins forgiven, “and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Romans 4.11. Before the children of Israel had reached Sinai; when the manna first fell, God said that He was proving them “whether they will walk in My law or not.” Exodus 16.4

It is evident; therefore, that the giving of the law upon Sinai did not make any difference whatever in the relation that already existed between men and God. The very same law existed before that time, having the same effect, namely, to show men that they were sinners; and all the righteousness which the law demands, and all that it is possible for any man to have, had been possessed by men of faith, of whom Enoch and Abraham are notable instances. The only reason for the giving of the law upon Sinai, was to give men a more vivid sense of its awful importance, and of the terrible nature of sin which it forbids, and to lead them to trust in God, instead of in themselves.

This effect the circumstances attending the giving of the law were calculated to produce. No such event of awful majesty and power had ever been witnessed by man. Neither has its like been seen since. The event of the giving of the law upon Sinai will be paralleled and exceeded only by the second coming of Christ, “to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and “to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.” 2 Thessalonians 1.8-10