6 March 2013 - purpose fulfillment

6 March 2013 - purpose fulfillment

Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?

We usually the see the law of the LORD as more of a hinderance than a blessing.  What are we missing?

“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,
but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”

If we forget the personal involvement of the LORD in our history his law will inevitable begin to seem arbitrary and, well, impersonal.  When we know that we are dealing with a personal God who delights to save his people we will be able to treasure his law as made for our good.  We would benefit from frequently examining our lives to keep track of the LORD's blessings.  We will then be able to see more clearly that the law is personal, tailored for our good.

He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them.

Our nature as creatures of free will necessarily involves law.  God cannot change what goodness is, because he himself is goodness, and because  he does not change.  But he still leaves us free to choose or to not choose that goodness, described in the law.  Everything but man obeys by its nature.

He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.

We must choose to follow.

Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’

A law from a God who loves us directing us to the end for which we are ultimately made is great wisdom indeed.  Only in living according to that end can we have any sense of stability in our lives.  Even in this world marred by sin we can still find peace living out the purpose the LORD has for us.  His purpose for us takes all of the circumstances of the world into account and now "all things work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose [emphasis mine]."  Let us remember the connection between purpose and law: Both have their origins in a God who is building us up in grace and love.  They make us steadfast in an unstable world.

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.

However, although the law points the way to purpose, there is something at which it can only hint.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Only Jesus can show us the complete fulfillment of the law with his obedience unto the cross.  Sacrifice and self-denial were always present but only Jesus could truly embody them.  But now, united to him and understanding the true meaning of the law, we can begin to embody them as well.  In doing so we find great blessing.

But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”