Our Relationship to the Law of Moses (1)

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect” (Hebrews 10:1). The Old Testament law was not the ‘real thing’ because it was only “a shadow of good things to come.” One cannot pick apples from the shadow that is cast by the tree; rather, one has to pull the fruit from the tree itself. In our understanding of the Bible, it is imperative that we observe the two major divisions of the Bible, namely, the Old and New Testaments. When Paul instructed Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth, he implied that it could be wrongly divided (2 Timothy 2:15) and a part of rightly dividing the Bible is to understand our relationship to the Law of Moses. The Old Testament is as inspired of God as is the New Testament. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Peter declared, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). Therefore, the source of these writings is God himself. Paul wrote relative to the events …

The Pain of Adultery

(South Green Street Biblical Studies, Vol. 13, Issue 3, March 2002, pgs. 1-2.) The American Heritage Dictionary defines “adultery” as the “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the lawful spouse.” Ezekiel 16:32 similarly defines it: “You are an adulterous wife, who takes strangers instead of her husband.” Although this passage is not literally describing a wife, its definition is accurate. We understand from the Old and New Testaments that adultery is sinful and harmful. We comprehend from the many biblical warnings the consequences of infidelity. However, do we fully grasp the devastation adultery has on the innocent spouse and children? For twenty-two years as a husband, I understood the verses that condemned adultery and explained its consequences. I faithfully honored my marriage vows — “forsaking all others.” However, I never really grasped the ravaging effects of adultery until it happened to me! The betrayal of one’s partner in a marriage is probably the most devastating event that can occur in life. Few other forms of treachery touch us as deeply. Love is shattered, trust is destroyed, families are torn apart, and spouses and children bear the pain. The most difficult decision I ever made was putting my wife away for adultery (Matthew 19:9) when reconciliation was impossible due to her impenitence. I still believe in the sanctity and beauty of marriage and look forward to being married again, but I abhor adultery with a greater passion than ever imagined. It is important that we sense the …