This is the third article in a series, about rightly dividing the word of truth. We are following Jesus’ own example, in which He begins at Moses…, to expound all the scriptures concerning himself. Last time, we began looking into one of the reasons why Moses is the important place to start if we want to “rightly divide the word of truth.” Bible scriptures show that Moses is synonymous with the Law, (i.e. the Ten Commandments). Further examination of God’s Law illustrates that the Ten Commandments are more than just rules, but, in fact, are the basis for God’s Covenant with mankind. We ended last week by examining the light which one of the inspired New Testament writers shed upon the purpose of the Law in Galatians 3:24.

The Apostle Paul says the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Okay, as usual, we need to ask ourselves a few questions, to make sure we understand, what is being said. What is a schoolmaster and why do we need one? Schoolmaster is an obsolete English term for a teacher, at least it is in America. More specifically it means the head or main teacher, which again illustrates why Jesus began at Moses to expound all the scriptures concerning himself. The purpose of this schoolmaster is to teach us that we have all failed God’s test for perfection. “No one is perfect!” Not one of us can fulfil the terms of God’s Covenant, which temporarily brings us to the second part of what Jesus said in Luke 24:27, the part about, “AND all the prophets.”

The Bible prophets are God’s Emergency Warning System. They serve a similar purpose as our Emergency Alert System today. You know the one which is sometimes tested/used on TV, radio and now our cell phones. By the which, our government warns us of local or national emergencies, ranging from approaching weather, to child abductions or even war. Well the “Old Testament” Prophets did exactly that. They warned God’s “Chosen People - Israel” that they were in violation of God’s Law and that if they did not turn back (repent), the penalty clauses contained in the Covenant could begin. Let’s not take my word for it but rather let us briefly look at how the Old Testament Prophet Daniel viewed it:

Daniel 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

That paints a pretty bleak picture of what all the prophets preached. No wonder Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. But be of good cheer, God also gave all His prophets a picture of a better hope. A hope of one who could deliver all Israel, a redeemer, an atoning sacrifice, a Messiah, which would fulfil all of God’s Ten Commandments: thereby, satisfying the Covenant conditions. This promised Messiah would become a propitiation for all Israel and impute His righteousness to all those which believe God.
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

This picture of a better hope preached by God’s prophets, leads us back to Moses and another reason why Moses is important.