Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

Dispensation of Law (Ex. 12:38-- Mt. 2:23) 
It is So- called because of the law given to Moses, which became part of the rule of faith and practice during the period between Moses and Christ. Men of this dispensation had the gospel also (Gal. 3: 8; Heb. 4: 2). 

Length-- from the exodus from Egypt to the preaching of the kingdom of heaven by John the Baptist, or from Moses to Christ-- 1,718 years or more (Mt. 11: 12- 13; Lk. 16: 16) as follows: 

(i) From the exodus to the entrance into Canaan, 41 years - Over a year at Sinai (Num. 10: 11- 12)
(ii) And Forty years of wandering in wilderness (Num. 14:33- 34; 32:13; Dt. 2:7; 8:2- 4; 29:5; Josh. 5:6; Acts 7:23- 42; 13:18; Heb. 3:9, 17)
(iii) From the entrance into Canaan to the reign of Saul, over 520 years
(iv) From Saul to the Babylonian captivity, over 513 years - The 480- year period ending with the fourth year of Solomon's reign (spoken of in 1Ki. 6:1). From the beginning of the Babylonian captivity through the restoration to Nehemiah's day in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, 164 years
(v) From the time of restoration from Babylon to the preaching of the kingdom by John the Baptist was 480 years which, added to totals of other periods above, make the 1,718 years or more in this dispensation.

Not since the fall of man had any people experienced a more favorable beginning than Israel at the beginning of the dispensation of law. They saw the power of God in signs and wonders in Egypt and the wilderness. He made personal appearances to them (Ex. 24: 9- 11; Josh. 5: 13- 15) and spoke with an audible voice (Dt. 5: 22- 24). There were visible manifestations of His presence day and night (Ex. 14: 19- 21). God took sickness from Israel (Ex. 15: 26; 23: 25; Ps. 105: 37; 107: 20); gave them the riches of Egypt (Ex. 12: 35; Ps. 105: 37); gave them revelations and a complete code of laws; made covenants with them; and gave them the gospel (Gal. 3: 8; Heb. 4: 2). 

Test-- to obey the law of Moses in every detail (Ex. 19: 8; 24: 3, 7). 

Jews failed and they killed Jesus on the cross.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! How often I wanted to gather your children
as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings; but you were not willing" (Mt 23:37)

Jesus concluded His last sermon with this lamentation. He used this image of hen and chicks to explain divine patience. God is never in haste. Especially in His dealings with people He is graciously patient. He is called the "God of Patience" (Rom 15:5). None of us can survive if God is impatient with us as we are with one another. At the same time we cannot take His patience for granted and go on in our own ways. The Jews were guilty of misunderstanding the patience of God. Apostle Paul warned them sternly, "Do you despise the riches of God's goodness, tolerance and patience, not realising that the kindness of God should lead you to repentance?" (Rom 2:4).
Jerusalem was called the "perfection of beauty" and the "joy of the whole world" (Lam 2:15b). But she always had her enemies. Her safety was under the wings of Jehovah (Psa 17:8; 36:7). Her prosperity was because of the warmth of His fellowship. She despised it by rejecting God's message that came to her through prophets and wise men. She heaped for herself false prophets and teachers who would speak to her taste. She was not willing to listen to those who preached what she needed but only what she wanted. She not only kicked away true messages from God but also killed truthful messengers. Jesus warned the Jerusalemites that God's patience was running out as they were martyring one by one every true messenger of God, A to Z (Abel to Zechariah)! (Mt 23:35)

The hen calls the chicks at the distant sight of an eagle. Safe are the ones which run into the mother's wings. Others will be easily snatched away. Our safety is only in immediate and implicit obedience to the mildest whisper of the Spirit of God.

July 08 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

While the Abrahamic Covenant continues and has not yet been completely fulfilled (even to this day), God changed course with His chosen people Israel at Mt. Sinai. God added the Law, and with it a ...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the dispensation of Law? 

Definition and Overview

The Law dispensation-often referred to as the period during which the Mosaic Law was central to the covenant relationship-is traditionally understood to begin with the giving of the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20) and continue until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, when the New Covenant commenced. During this period, the Israelites, as a theocratic nation, were bound by a detailed set of commandments, statutes, and ordinances that governed every aspect of religious, civil, and moral life.

The foundational text for the Law dispensation appears in Exodus 20:1-17, where God delivered the Ten Commandments. This body of Law was further expanded to include legislation on social justice, the priestly sacrificial system, and guidelines for civil governance. The Law underscores divine holiness, human sinfulness, and the necessity of atonement. 

Purpose and Significance

1. Revelation of Divine Holiness: The Mosaic Law reveals the righteous nature of God. As noted in Psalm 19:7, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul." Its moral standards set the benchmark for holiness and show that humanity, on its own, cannot meet the divine standard.

2. Guidance for a Covenant People: The Law fashioned Israel into a distinct community among polytheistic neighbours, further demonstrating the existence of an eternal, singular Creator who desires a covenant bond with His people. The structure of the Law, covering everything from worship to dietary practices, functioned to keep Israel separate and mindful of their calling.

3. Foreshadowing of Redemption: Many ordinances, especially in Leviticus, prefigured the atoning work of a promised Redeemer. Hebrews 10:1 states, "For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves." Temple sacrifices taught that sin required payment, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice in Christ.

The Law dispensation served its purpose until Christ fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them."). After His crucifixion and resurrection, believers emerged under the New Covenant, where salvation is received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). As Galatians 3:24 explains, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

The dispensation, or stewardship, of Law was instituted for at least five reasons.

(1) To magnify God's holiness. The prophet Habakkuk, many years later,r spoke of God's holiness when he said, "You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness" (Hab. 1:13). The Law stresses the holiness of God (Ex. 19; 20:18–26). When we compare ourselves with others, we may appear good. But when forced to compare ourselves with God, we should quickly recognise His moral purity and our moral pollution.

(2) To reveal man's sinfulness (Rom. 3:19–20). The Law acted like a mirror, reflecting the Israelites' imperfections.

(3) To show the Israelites how to live in a moral society. It was given to keep them from hurting and destroying one another. People were created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we have moral natures and are called to live on a higher moral plane than animals.

(4) To show the Israelites their need for a Saviour. The Levitical sacrificial system used blood as a purifying agent. Thus, the book of Hebrews says," According to the Law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).

People go to physicians because they know they are sick. What would prompt people to turn to the Saviour? A realisation of their sinfulness and need for forgiveness. The apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24). The Law was given to show humanity its true condition, its need of a Saviour, and to point us to""the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29).

The Law was not given to impart salvation, nor did it guarantee that any Israelite would go to heaven. Salvation has always been by faith. The Law was given to show the need for salvation by contrasting man's sinfulness with God's holiness. For someone to be saved by keeping the Law, he had to keep it perfectly. He could never stumble: "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" (Jas. 2:10).

(5) To demonstrate God's grace and mercy. Despite Israel's failure to keep the Law, God provided redemption. The Levitical sacrifices made it possible for those with sincere hearts to have their sins covered. And the once-for-all death of His Son, Jesus the Messiah, has provided final, lasting atonement. Although Israel failed under the dispensation of Law, God's gracious promises to regather, restore, and fully redeem Israel will be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom.

The dispensation of the Law ended at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

April 24 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report