2 Chronicles 31

Hezekiah appointed…”as it is written in the law of the LORD” (verse 3). He did this so “that they might devote themselves to the law of the LORD” (verse 4). I wonder when the law became so negative in the eyes of modern readers of the Bible. There is a revival coming in this book centered around the discovery of the book of the law. Even St. Paul declares the law to good.

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Far from it! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”” (Romans 7:7, NASB)

“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Romans 7:12, NASB)

If the law was so bad, why did the Psalmist exult in it?

“The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, Your servant is warned by them; In keeping them there is great reward.”

(Psalms 19:7-11, NASB)

In Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, the writer devotes himself to extolling its virtues. Ten different words are used to describe this LAW. They are law, testimonies, ways, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, word, path, and word (this one meaning promise or utterance). It seems that the psalmist sees the law as a multi-faceted jewel. Nine times he says he “delights” in it (verses, 16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174). He constantly declares his love for God’s law (verses 40, 47, 48, 97, 113, 119, 127, 132, 140, 159, 163, 165, 167, 174). If verse 103 is true, how did that which is so sweet to the taste, become so bitter in our mouths?

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103, NASB)

When we come to Romans 7 where St. Paul is answering the question about the Christian’s relationship to the law, we must come there with the perspective of the Old Testament in mind. My purpose is not to explain this relationship or to address the purpose of the law. My concern here is to raise the issue, so that we may balance the conclusion we reach with an approach to the law that doesn’t vilify it and make it the antithesis of the Christian approach.