Last time we started with 2 Timothy 2:15 and talked about rightly dividing the word of truth. We surmised that the proper way to do this was by following the example Jesus illustrates in Luke 24, in particular verse 27.

Luke 24:27 KJV
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Let's begin to do that by asking a question. Why is Moses important for rightly dividing the word of truth and why begin at Moses? Moses is important for many reasons, but the main reason is because he was the first to codify or systematically arrange in writing God's law. We know God’s law as the "Ten Commandments". God’s law is much more than a simple set of rules, in actuality the Ten Commandments are the basis for God’s covenant with mankind. Covenants are known by many names, today we might call it a contract. As with any contract there is always that special section known as the fine print. You know the part which says if you keep your end of the bargain, you will get rewarded, if you don't keep the agreed terms you will be penalized. Well, the fine print for God’s Law (Ten Commandments) can be found in the book of Leviticus. The summary statement about reward and penalty can be found in Leviticus 26, among other places.

Leviticus 26:3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

Leviticus 26:4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Leviticus 26:14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

Leviticus 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, [but] that ye break my covenant:

Leviticus 26:25 KJV
And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Leviticus 26:32-33 KJV
[32] And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. [33] And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.

In short, God is saying if you do what I say, I will bless you! If you don't do what I say, I will curse you! We find this covenant relationship repeated by God from Genesis to Revelation. We will look at this covenant in both of those books later, but let me close for now by answering the second part of our proposed question. In Luke 24, why did Jesus when explaining himself on the road to Emmaus begin at Moses. Rather let's let the Apostle Paul answer it for us.

Galatians 3:24 KJV
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.