"God's laws were made for humanity's advantage, not as irrational or cruel burdens."
ONE does not normally look to the national daily press for great spiritual perception, but our attention was caught recently by the above words from the pen of the London Daily Telegraph religious correspondent. The theme of his article concerned one of the great moral evils of our time, a sin so utterly condemned by the Almighty in His Word that we trust there is no call to dwell upon it in writing to fellow servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Throughout the entire course of history God's laws have been constantly disregarded and disobeyed by the world at large. It has always been the few rather than the many who have willingly accepted the restraints which God's way places upon His servants, and we should be glad to be numbered among that small minority. We are persuaded that whatever seeming disadvantages we may have to accept for the present will be recompensed one hundredfold in the time to come. Like Moses, we learn to esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.
But, apart altogether from the brilliant future held out to us, do we ever stop to think of the many present benefits which result from a wholehearted following of God's way?
When God gave Israel that code of laws to keep which has been known ever since as "the Law of Moses", He conferred on them a range of benefits far greater than they ever realised. The surrounding nations had sunk to a level of depravity and unwholesome living which could only end in ruin. By contrast. God gave His people rules for daily living which, as they were told, would bring them all kinds of practical benefits. Think, for instance, of the quarantine laws imposed on lepers; the scrupulous bodily cleansing enforced after contact with death; the sanitary requirements which governed their daily habits—these are but a few examples of the "wise laws" God gave them which, if carefully observed, would give them an enviable standard of health among the surrounding nations.
Likewise the food laws relating to "clean and unclean beasts", the laws governing family inheritance, tilling of the land, respect for the environment—all these and many other precepts were devised for their physical well being. We today may regard such aspects of the Law of Moses as rather obvious and unremarkable; yet the centuries in between have witnessed the long and painful struggle of unenlightened man to rediscover principles which have been on record all along in God's Word.
"But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked"! Israel failed to appreciate their privileges, turned from their God and sought to copy the nations in their folly and wickedness. To adapt our captioned quotation, they saw God's law as being to their disadvantage, a "cruel burden" rather than a priceless blessing. Thus they forfeited the rich blessings God had bestowed on them. Every year, as we painstakingly make our way through the Old Testament record of their long and troubled history we may well shake our head in amazement at Israel's foolishness.
"What then? Are we better than they?" asks the apostle. We need to be, for we have their example, written "for our admonition". But let us not make hasty assumptions of our superiority.
Our position is not identical. We live under a different dispensation in which the emphasis is on spiritual health rather than physical. Yet the precepts of Christ carry the same weight of Divine authority and are devised for our present as well as our future benefit. Think just of the peace of mind that comes with an understanding of God's purpose. We are spared from having to worry about where politicians' follies may lead us —we know the end is assured. Even when illness strikes, we learn to face the possible consequences with the calm confidence that the Great Physician is at the door. Or again, ecclesial life brings us a circle of friends whose integrity can be relied upon, and whose ready help is at hand when needed. The standards which the Truth enjoins upon us will also serve us well in our working life; whilst as parents we are spared the agonizing doubts that others have as to what standards to teach our children. Our standards are sure ones, proven and reliable.
If we are faithful to our calling we shall be able to accept with composure those experiences which throw some people into fits of health-imperilling fury. We shall be helped to steer clear of road-rage situations and avoid the unseemly feuding which can ruin neighbourly relations. The meekness and gentleness of Christ, when diligently cultivated, will guide us through many a difficult situation in life, as well as helping us to develop a character that Jesus will approve.
These are just some of the fruits we can harvest even in this life, through being followers of Christ. "Godliness", wrote the apostle, "is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Tim. 4.8).
God's way is best. He really does know what is good for us, and He has set before us, as He did before Israel, the way of life and the way of death, beseeching us, as He did them, "Choose life". To choose this better way, and to continue in it, requires faith and self-discipline, and some self-sacrifice. But what of that? Weighed in the balance against the rich reward held out to us, it just doesn't signify.
So as we step forward into a new year, we have another opportunity for self-renewal, a time to remind ourselves once again of the privileged. position we occupy—as well as the rapid passing of our days of probation. The final, exultant words of Moses to Israel apply no less to ourselves, as Israel after the spirit:
"Happy art thou, 0 Israel: who is like unto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!"
J.M.E.