OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE LAW

Three of the World's great religions share in the wisdom, teachings and law of the Bible Old Testament.

Other than the Ten Commandments, Old Testament Law was often not in well organized form, although details were often very specific. The Ten Commandments are found in the 20th Chapter of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament. In very brief form they were: 1. have no other gods before GOD; 2. make no idols; 3. not take the name of God in vain; 4. keep the Sabbath holy; 5. honor your parents; 6. not commit murder; 7. not commit adultery; 8. not steal; 9. not bear false witness; and 10. not covet what belongs to others.

Other laws from the Old Testament were specific on details, such as setting out the measurements of ark and of temples. In Genesis 6: 13-15 God tells Noah to make the ark 300 cubits long, by 50 cubits wide, by 30 cubits high [a cubit was 7 handbreadths or 20.5 inches] thus the Ark would have been 512.5 feet by 85.41 feet by 51.25 feet.

Some of the titles of the Books of the Old Testament demonstrate the importance of: law (Judges); rules (1st & 2nd Chronicles; and people to enforce the rules (1st & 2nd Kings). Many of the books of the Old Testament describe rules, infractions of those rules (often by leaders), and the detriment which befell those who do failed to follow the rules.

Perhaps one of the best examples in the Old Testament, of the harsh penalty for failing to carry out the laws of God was God's denial of Moses to himself go into the promised land with the Israelites, whom he had led for so long. Moses had shown some arrogance and what appeared to be minor infractions, but that was sufficient for God to deny Moses admission to the Promised Land.

Much of the types of punishment laws of the Old Testament are similar to the Laws of Hammurabi. There is dispute over when the Old Testament was written, but it appears that some parts pre-dated Hammurabi's 282 law Code. Much of the Bible and Moses appear to have come after Hammurabi. The relationship of the laws of these two men are interesting, but not directly related. The laws of both are harsh.

You may want to read Chapters 21-23 of Exodus, which set out specific laws concerning: slaves; personal injury; theft; dishonesty; immorality; civil and religious obligations; the Sabbath and feasts; and conquest.

Note: 405 words.