19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.Last night we had a lively discussion and Ben did his very best to keep us on target (well done Brother)! We were challenged on questions of ceremonial law versus moral law, on law versus grace and even on angels versus mediators. Thankfully we were not alone last night as the Holy Spirit guided and directed our conversations toward a fuller understanding of God’s word.
I thought you might enjoy what some commentators have had to say about the mediator and the angels.
Phil Ryken, “Angels are not specifically mentioned in Exodus 19, where God gave the law to Moses in a thick cloud, with thunder and lightning, fire and smoke, and earthquakes and trumpets. Yet Moses mentioned the angels shortly before he died. As he blessed God’s people, he looked back on the way God had given him the law…But the law came to God’s people indirectly, through angels and by a mediator, meaning Moses.”While Calvin contends that the mediator is in fact Jesus Christ and others believe that the mediator is Moses, the fact remains that angels were present at the time the law was given and they were intimately involved with the process. We may no sooner learn which came first the chicken or the egg?! But we can see the marriage of law and grace under one triune God, for one people called to be His all made available through Jesus Christ. Do you have an obligation to God’s law? Do you have an obligation to God’s grace? Do you have an obligation to God’s Son?
Stephen Neill, “The promise came to Abraham first-hand from God; and the law comes to the people third-hand – God – the angels – Moses the mediator – the people.”
Leon Morris, “We should probably understand that Moses is the mediator in question, for it was through him that the law was given…Both angelic and human efforts are to be seen in the way the law came to the people of God.”
Matthew Henry, “The promise was given by God himself; the law was given by the ministry of angels, and the hand of a mediator, even Moses.”
John Calvin, “We are thus to understand…God has held intercourse with men, but through the agency of his eternal Wisdom or Son…And this he intended to state expressing, for the purpose of informing the Galatians, that he who is the foundation of the covenant of grace [meaning Christ], held also the highest rank in the giving of the law.”
Next week we will be discussing Children of God at The Seda's - 4607 Embassy Circle #104, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Please remember to bring a copy of the participants guide with you on Wednesday.
Other upcoming events on Saturday, July 28th @ 3 PM:
- Tastefully Simple Party (for the ladies) @ the Price's
- Video Games @ the Ross's
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