Galatians 3:16-17, 19
Because “the law… was four hundred and thirty years later” than the promise of God to Abraham, because “it was added”, we know there was a time before the law. And because said law lasted “till the Seed”, “who is Christ”, there is now a time after the law. All history can be segmented into the dispensations of before, during, and after the Law of Moses. Many rules have varied from one dispensation to another, yet certain facts remain unchanged. These are transcendent truths.

I. MEN MUST WORK
A. Genesis 2:15; 3:17-19
On the first day of man’s existence, even before woman was created, God expected him to work in the garden. After sinning, man was cursed so that the work became even harder.
B. Exodus 20:8-11
The Ten Commandments, from the Law of Moses, required Sabbath keeping, a statute that cannot be understood without accepting six days of work.
C. 2nd Thessalonians 3:10
In the New Testament, the truth is upheld that work is a prerequisite to eating.

II. WIVES MUST SUBMIT
A. Genesis 3:16
After the fall woman was told her husband would rule over her.
B. 1st Corinthians 14:34
The New Testament states that the old law upheld this principle. Although a direct statement may be difficult to locate, the implication is present throughout the Old Testament.
C. 1st Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1st Peter 3:1-6
The New Testament presents the man as being “head” over the woman. She should learn from Sarah’s example going back to the first dispensation.

III. CHILDREN MUST OBEY
A. Genesis 18:17-19
Before the Old Testament, God’s relationship with Abraham was built on trust that he would command his children to serve God.
B. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 11:18-21
The Ten Commandments required children to honor their parents. Elsewhere in the Law of Moses, parents are commanded to teach their children of God.
C. Colossians 3:20; 2nd Timothy 3:1-5
The New Testament calls on children to obey their parents, and even states that those who disobey parents are to be withdrawn from.

IV. BLOOD MUST NOT BE CONSUMED
A. Genesis 9:3-4
When God first presented animal meat for human consumption, He specified that blood is off limits. Blood ain’t food. The reason: life is in the blood.
B. Leviticus 3:17; 17:10-14
When severe dietary restrictions were introduced in the Old Law, blood continued to be prohibited. The original reason abides.
C. Acts 15:19-20, 28-29; 16:4
The gospel retains this rule. Lest we think it was only a limited recommendation in one setting, notice it was thought good by the Holy Spirit, it was addressed to a wider audience than the church originally under consideration, and the decrees, as they were called, were circulated by the apostles even further. Blood still ain’t food.

V. MURDERERS MUST BE PUT TO DEATH
A. Genesis 9:5-6
“If you kill somebody, we will kill you back” was God’s idea. Considering what is destroyed, a man made in God’s own image, death is the only fitting recompense.
B. Leviticus 24:17; Numbers 35:30
The death penalty was equally valid in Moses’ Law, as well. Of course, multiple witness corroboration was required before the penalty could be enforced.
C. Romans 13:1-4; Acts 25:11
Executing evildoers remains an authorized function of the government in New Testament times. Even when facing death, Paul said it wasn’t the penalty he objected to, but the relevance.

VI. PRIESTS MUST MINISTER
A. Genesis 14:18-20; Exodus 2:16-3:1
In the time of the patriarchs, Abraham tithed to a priest named Melchizedek, and Moses married the daughter of a Midianite priest.
B. Exodus 30:30
Within the Old Testament, Aaron and his sons, of the tribe of Levi, were to minister as priests.
C. 1st Peter 2:4-5, 9; Hebrews 7
In the church, all Christians are priests. Christ is High Priest.

VII. SIN MUST BE REMITTED BY BLOOD SACRIFICE
A. Genesis 4:3-5; 8:20-21
Even before animals were a food source to man, they were killed in sacrifice to God, who gladly received the aroma.
B. Exodus 20:24
Animals were offered in the Law of Moses constantly.
C. Hebrews 9:11-28; 1st Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:4-5
Remission of sins depends on bloodshed. Christ’s blood accomplished, once and for all, what no animal sacrifice could.

by: Bryan Matthew Dockens