God’s Law Reveals His Glory
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
God chose the Israelites as His own special people who were to bear His name to the nations. They were to enjoy a close relationship with Him and were to reflect His character as a light shining in the darkness. He gave them His law for their good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) and to reflect His glory. Just as God revealed His glory to Moses by declaring His name to Him, God’s children were to declare His name to the nations through their actions.
God’s moral law is a law of love and justice. Jesus sums up the entirety of the law in Matthew 22:34-40 in two commandments – love God and love others. Paul explains this concept again in Romans when He says the following:
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)
When Moses spent time with God receiving His law and learning from Him what He should teach the people, He was receiving glory. This glorious truth was so powerful that His face literally shown. It was so bright, that the people asked Him to veil His face because they were frightened to look at Him.
This glorious law, however, could never reveal the fullness of God’s glory. Paul tells us in Galatians that the law was a good gift from God to lead us to the perfect fulfillment of the law, Jesus Christ. While the law is good, it only gives us a glimpse into the heart of God.
Study it Out
- Read Deuteronomy 10:12-22 and make note of the specific descriptions of God. How does this reflect His glorious love?
- For what reason did He choose the Israelite people? Was it because of their inherent glory or goodness? What does that reveal about God’s character?