01.01. Other Laws
OTHER LAWS
While the ten commandments constituted the basis of the covenant Between God and Israel, many other laws were given looking to their Enforcement. When the people heard the voice of the Lord, they were Greatly frightened and requested Moses to hear the law and speak to Them (Exo 20:18-21; Deu 5:22, Deu 5:33). The following evidences are furnished that Moses left a record of the law and his other works:
1. The Lord told him to write these words, meaning the law (Exo 34:27);
2. it is said that Moses wrote all the words of the Lord (Exo 24:4);
3. Moses told the people to write the law upon the posts of their houses, their gates, and upon plastered stones (Deu 6:4-9; Deu 11:18-20; Deu 27:1-8);
4. it is said that Moses wrote the goings of the children of Israel (Num 33:2);
5. it is said that Moses wrote the law and delivered it to the priests (Deu 31:9-13, Deu 31:24-27);
6. it is said that Moses wrote a song (Deu 31:22; Deu 32:1-43).
Moses learned the will of God as no other mortal man ever learned it-- God spoke to him face to face (Num 12:6-8). He spent eighty days and nights in Mount Sinai with the Lord (Exo 24:12-18; Exo 31:18; Exo 34:1-28). These laws covered the whole range of human activity:
1.Duties to God. They were to love him with all their soul, mind And strength (Deu 6:5). The reasons assigned for this commandment were, 1.because He had chosen them above all people (Deu 10:15; Deu 11:1);
2. because He had done great and terrible things for them which they had seen (Deu 10:21; Deu 11:1).
3. because He had made a great multitude of them (Deu 10:22; Deu 11:1).
They were required to 4.honor His name (Deu 20:7), 5.add nothing to his law and take nothing from it (Deu 4:2; Deu 12:32), 6.keep his statutes and judgments (Deu 12:1), 7.and give him the first and best of everything (Exo 13:2; Exo 22:29-30; Deu 26:1-11).
2.Personal Duties. Every man was required, 1.to be honest, 2.and tell the truth (Exo 23:1; Lev 19:11).
3.Duties of Parents to Their Children. Parents were required, 1.to circumcise their sons when they were eight days old (Lev 12:1-3);
2. to impress upon them the great importance of the great events of the nation’s history (Exo 13:14-16);
3. to teach them the law (Deu 6:1-6);
4. to give them possession of the inheritance (Num 36:1-13);
5. to give the firstborn a double portion of the estate (Deu 21:15-17);
6. to deliver the stubborn and rebellious son for chastisement (Deu 21:18-21).
4.Duties of Children to Their Parents. Children were required, 1.to honor their parents (Exo 20:12);
2. to fear them (Lev 19:3);
3. and to refrain from cursing or smiting them (Exo 21:15, Exo 21:17).
5. Duties of Husbands and Wives to Each Other.
1. Husbands were to cheer their wives, to give them a divorce if they did not love them and to confirm or disannul their vows (Num 30:6-15; Deu 24:1-5);
2. wives were required to submit to their husbands (Num 30:6-15).
6. Duties of People to Their Rulers. The people were required to Honor their rulers (Exo 22:28), and to submit to their decisions (Deu 17:8-13).
7. Duties of Rulers to the People. Rulers were required to measure Out justice to men without regard to their financial standing (Exo 23:3, Exo 23:6; Deu 16:18-20).
8.General Duties. Masters were required to treat their servants With kindness (Exo 21:18-27; Lev 25:47-54). The Hebrews were required 1.to be generous to the poor and helpless (Deu 15:7-11), 2.to love strangers (Exo 22:21-23; Lev 19:33; Lev 25:35; Deu 10:19), 3.to love their neighbors as themselves (Lev 19:18), 4.and to be honest in their dealings (Lev 19:35-36).