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law, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth", when a closer acquaintance would lead them to
magnify God for His mercy. The laws that were in force at the time when God gave the
law to Moses reveal what a merciful advance is here made. Instead of an eye for an eye it
would be a vendetta and perhaps many lives. This can be tested by reading what is called
the Code of Khammurabi (the Amraphel of Gen. 14: 1), and comparing the offences and
penalties under the two legislations.
In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord reveals the deeper spirituality of the law. Moses
does not only teach an eye for an eye, but he teaches (by implication and comparison
with other laws) not many eyes for one, that is, Moses taught that justice should be
tempered with mercy. The Lord Jesus does not contradict the law of Moses, but shows
its legitimate "fulfillment". The same is true regarding the murder that is incipient in
heart hatred. We can well believe that had Israel been able to fulfil their promise to obey
all the commandments of the Lord, they would have fulfilled their calling, and have been
a great outstanding witness for truth in the earth.
Deuteronomy.
The title of the fifth book of Moses in the LXX is Deuteronomy, meaning "Second
Law", being taken from the LXX version of Deut. 17: 18 where we read, "Then shall
he write for himself this repetition of the law" (kai grapsee hauto deuteronion touto).
This book of thirty-three chapters cannot be a mere repetition of the law given in Exodus,
unless we mean "vain repetition", for in very bulk it is eight times as large. It means
therefore that just as the ten commandments were expanded in Exod. 21:-23:, so they
are more completely expanded as the times arrives for Israel to enter into the land. This
is more easily seen when we realize that the whole book of Deuteronomy is occupied
with a ten-fold address given by Moses, giving expansions, expositions, blessings and
cursings of the Ten Words of Exod. 20::--
"And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the
month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had
given him in commandment unto them" (Deut. 1: 3).
The Ten Addresses in Deuteronomy.
Introduction.--A resume of Israel's history from the time they commenced their
journeyings unto the eve of the entry into Canaan (1:-3:).
(1:)
Deut. 4:--Baal Peor. No similitude or graven image.
Reference to the land in last verse.
(2:)
Deut. 5:--The Ten Words of the Covenant. Reference to the land in last verse.
(3:)
Deut. 6: 1 - 10: 11.--One God (6: 4). No other gods (6: 14).
The table of stone (10: 1-5). Reference to the land in last verse.
(4:)
Deut. 10: 12 - 26: 19.--Blessing and cursing (11: 26).
Laws governing all classes.
Reference in last verses to the land (15), and "holy people" (19).
(5:)
Deut. 27:, 28:--Cursing and blessing.
(6:)
Deut. 29:, 30:--The covenant beside that of Horeb.
(7:)
Deut. 31: 2-6.--Joshua the leader. The Lord goes before and with them.