When reading the Old Testament, (if you have not, I strongly suggest you read the Bible in its entirety), you will discover several specific commands given by God to Moses and Aaron to give to the people of Israel (see Exodus through Deuteronomy). The articles regarding sacrifices alone make my head spin. There are many commands regarding the type of animals to be offered, which day to offer them, etc. In addition, the sin offerings and drink offerings with their specific articles had to be carried out in great detail as well. In Old Testament times, the Law of Moses (also called Old Testament Law, Mosaic Law, or just The Law) regulated almost every aspect of Jewish life. The Ten Commandments and many other laws defined matters of morals, religious practice and government. It regulated the army, criminal justice, commerce, property rights, slavery, sexual relations, marriage and social interactions. It required circumcision for males, the animal sacrifices mentioned, as well as very strict Sabbath observance. It provided for the welfare of widows, orphans, the poor, foreigners and domestic animals. Ceremonial rules divided animals into “clean” and “unclean” categories. Clean animals could be eaten; unclean animals could not. It was given to the Israelites when they were still a band of ex-slaves struggling to survive. Many of the laws were specific for the worship system and agricultural life of ancient Israel (Exodus 12:14-16, Leviticus 1:10-13, 11:1-23, 15:19-20, 19:19, 19:27-28, 27:30-32, Deuteronomy 25:5-6).
Some today, however, say that the old Law is still binding. Jesus said, Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:1718).
Some focus on Christ’s statement, “have not come to destroy the Law,” while ignoring his summation of “to fulfill.” In the next verse, he specifies that “not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law.” Jesus’ point is that “until everything is accomplished,” the law will be with us. Christ did not say, “I come to further establish or perpetuate the law,” but “to fulfill.” He fulfilled prophetic scripture with His coming (meaning it was completed). If the Law of Moses binds men today, then it was not fulfilled, and Jesus failed at what He came to do. On the other hand, if the Lord did accomplish His goal, then the law was fulfilled and is not binding today. Further, if the Law of Moses was not fulfilled by Christ, and thus remains a binding legal system today, then it is not just partially binding but a totally compelling system. Jesus plainly said that not one “jot or tittle” (representative of the smallest markings of the Hebrew script) would pass away until all was fulfilled. Consequently, nothing of the law was to fail until it had completely accomplished its purpose. Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus fulfilled all of the law. We cannot say that Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system, but did not fulfill the other aspects of the law. Jesus either fulfilled all of the law, or none of it. What Jesus’ death means for the sacrificial system, affects the other aspects of the law as well.
For the elders, Tony Williams