The laws of God (10 Commandments) were not defined or laid down on Mount Sinai. The only difference was between oral and written determination. There are many references to rules that were in force long before the tablets of the law were given to Moses.
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Law only between Exodus and Crucifixion?
The law of God only came into this world with the two tablets on Mount Sinai. Furthermore, the 10 Commandments only applied to the people of Israel. For this reason, Christians are not bound by the commandments. This is also the result of the replacement of the old covenant with the new covenant. These kinds of theses have become very popular. Not a single one of these claims is true. This is due to the fact that the 10 Commandments reflect the character of God and God never changes.
The 10 Commandments to the people of Israel, who had just left Egypt, are not a new set of laws, but rather a reminder, this time in writing and not just orally. After 430 years in pagan Egypt, and a large part of that in slavery, not only the law of God has faded from people’s memories, but even God himself.
This ignorance is evident in Moses, who had no idea who the true God is. It was not until he was 80 years old that Moses learned of God’s identity through the “burning bush” outside Egypt. Moses was given the task of returning to Egypt and leading the people, the descendants of Jacob, out of slavery. At the same time, Moses was also to explain to the people who God is. He introduced himself as “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14).
Clear references to laws before Sinai
There are clear references in the Bible that God’s laws were (of course) in effect before the 2 tablets of the commandments. Logic alone requires the existence of rules that define what is good and what is evil. The basic definition is relatively simple. Everything that contradicts the will and character of God is evil. It is God’s justice to communicate this to people clearly and unambiguously, because after all, sin is also defined by the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
With the fall of Adam and Eve, the nature of man, created in the image of God, fell. The purity of humanity was over. Neither of them originally had any evil intentions and there was no evil in the environment of Adam and Eve either. Until the adversary came to them in the form of the serpent and first seduced Eve to disobey God. With the fall of Adam and Eve, the entire creation fell (Romans 8:19-22). From then on, it was necessary to formulate the laws because it was necessary to distinguish between good and evil.
The fallen heart of man seeks evil (Jeremiah 17:9). God set a clear dividing line to clearly distinguish between good and evil. They are incompatible (Genesis 3:15).
Enough references to laws from the beginning
Cain and Abel already offered sacrifices. What for if there had been no law? The son does not bear the guilt of the father’s transgression and the father does not bear the guilt of the son’s transgression (Ezekiel 18). An atoning sacrifice was required because of the sin committed by the father himself. But where there is no law, there is no sin. The (initially) required sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham illustrates the need for forgiveness of sins due to the transgression of a law.
Cain’s murder of his brother
Cain killed Abel. It was obviously evil and Cain had to bear the consequences. Therefore, there must have been a law against it. If there had been no law against it, either Cain could not have been accused of it, or God simply made an arbitrary judgment at this point.
Evil until the Flood
Before the Flood, God accuses people of “evil” (Genesis 6:5). People’s hearts only sought evil. So there must have been a law, a set of rules at this point too, so that one can justifiably accuse people of acting evilly. They obviously did not observe these rules.
Rules immediately after the Flood
The first rule mentioned after the Flood is the prohibition of eating meat while it still contains blood (Genesis 4:4). Another clearly stated rule is the prohibition against shedding other people’s blood (Genesis 4:6).
Rebellion with the building of the Tower of Babel
The building of the Tower of Babel was clearly another series of violations of the law. The motive was obviously rebellion against God while simultaneously worshipping false gods. Man’s arrogance. Here too, there must have been a corresponding law (e.g. according to the 1st and 2nd commandments), otherwise God’s decision to scatter people by confusing their languages would not have been justice, but merely arbitrary.
Tithing was also known
Abraham met Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-24) and Abraham paid tithes to the high priest. Although it was not “written down” anywhere. Abraham found grace before the Lord (Genesis 4:3). Grace for what, if there had been no law that one could have broken in order to become dependent on grace? Melchizedek was also the high priest of the Most High. A priest was necessary for the sacrificial and mediational service. For what? Because of people’s sins, i.e. the transgression of (“any”) laws.
Wickedness in Sodom & Gomorrah
The sins in Sodom and Gomorrah were serious (Genesis 18:20). What sins could one transgress if there had been no law? Abraham negotiated with God about saving the remaining “righteous” in the city of Sodom. Righteous by what if there had been no laws to represent the standard of righteousness?
Joseph knew the law against adultery
Joseph, the son of Jacob and sold as a slave, was to be seduced by his mistress in Egypt. His answer was (Genesis 39:9):
“…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Sin? The law against adultery was obviously already formulated.
Sabbath marked the beginning
The two tablets of the law and the 10 commandments written on them by God himself are clearly a reminder, a “refreshment” of the long-standing laws and not something new. They are written and not just oral. These laws, the image of the unchanging character of God, are the foundation of His righteousness. (Info). The abolition of laws would be tantamount to the abolition of God. A real paradox (Info).
God demonstrated his character of love with his completed creation. The Creator gave the first preliminary formulation of the law at the end of his 6-day work. He blessed the 7th day and sanctified it, the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3). The first blessing and sanctification thus concerned a period of time. A day that applies to all people. (Info). It is the Fourth Commandment of the Ten Commandments (Info).
A king without rules?
The idea that there were no laws before the 2 stone tablets and that this law was abolished with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is absurd. As a rule, when it comes to claiming that laws have been abolished, there is a confusion between moral laws (10 commandments) and ceremonial laws (statutes). (Info).
Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and undisputed ruler of all things, leads a kingdom, but without any rules? A crude idea.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
