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

There were laws prior to The Dispensation of Law. In other words, there were specific laws prior to 10 commandments given to Moses. We have four Dispensations prior to The Dispensation of Law and let us study one by one.

1. The Dispensation of Innocence (Gen. 2:15--Gen. 3:21)
Test--not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6).

2. Dispensation of Conscience (Gen. 3:22--Gen. 8:14)
Test--obedience to the dictates of conscience as to right and wrong (Gen. 3:22; 4:7,15; 6:1-7).

3. Dispensation of Human Government (Gen. 8:15--Gen. 11:32)
The First Civil Laws Since Adam: 
(i) Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen. 9:1,7) 
(ii) Rule over animals (Gen. 9:2) 
(iii) Allowed animal food, instead of grains, herbs, and vegetables only (Gen. 9:3) 
(iv) Eat no blood of animals (Gen. 9:4) 
(v) Do not murder (Gen. 9:6) 
(vi) Execute persons who murder (Gen. 9:6) Keep My covenant eternally (Gen. 9:8-17)
Test--to obey the laws of human government, rule faithfully, punish criminals, consecrate to God and worship Him (Gen. 8:20--Gen. 9:17)

4. Dispensation of Promise (Gen. 12:1--Ex. 12:37)
Test--to have faith in God, obey Him, remain separated from all other nations, and evangelize the world (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:4-6; 17:1-21; 26:3-4; 28:13-15).

Hope that helps!

July 25 2014 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Before receiving the Law at Sinai, how did Moses judge?

The answer is recorded in the following scripture:

Exodus 18:16: "When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws."

Before Sinai, Moses judged by applying practical wisdom, personal experience, and a sense of divine justice rather than a formal written code. Exodus 18 gives the clearest picture of how he handled disputes during that period.

Moses served as the central authority for the Israelites. People came to him from morning until evening with disagreements, questions, and concerns. He listened to each case, weighed the facts, and rendered decisions. His role combined leadership, arbitration, and spiritual guidance. He explained that the people came to him because they wanted to "inquire of God," meaning he interpreted God's will for them in situations where no formal law yet existed.

His judgments drew on several sources. First, Moses was shaped by his upbringing in Egypt, where he observed structured legal practices. Second, he had lived in Midian for decades, gaining familiarity with tribal customs and dispute resolution. Third, he relied on the moral direction he believed came from God, especially after the burning bush encounter. These influences allowed him to function as a judge even without a codified legal system.

The workload soon became overwhelming. Jethro, his father‑in‑law, observed the strain and advised him to delegate. Moses was urged to teach the people general principles and then appoint capable, trustworthy men as judges over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Moses would continue to handle the most difficult cases, but these appointed leaders would settle everyday disputes. This created a tiered judicial structure that relieved Moses and gave the community access to justice.

This system shows that Moses judged by combining discernment, spiritual insight, and practical leadership. He acted as the final authority while guiding others to share the responsibility. His approach was flexible, situational, and rooted in the belief that justice ultimately came from God. It also prepared the nation for the more detailed laws later given at Sinai.

If you want, I can also explain how this early system compares to the later Mosaic legal structure.

Summary of the topic:

The early judging system depended on Moses interpreting situations as they arose. People brought disputes to him, and he resolved them using practical judgment and a sense of divine guidance. This fluid approach was shaped by circumstance rather than a formal legal framework.

After Sinai, the structure changed. The Law became a defined covenant with specific commands, boundaries, and procedures. Judgment no longer relied on Moses' personal insight but on established instructions covering civil, moral, and religious matters. Responsibility also widened: priests handled sacred issues, elders oversaw community concerns, and written Law provided consistency across the nation.

The shift moved Israel from a leader‑centered model to a system grounded in shared, detailed standards. The earlier approach was situational; the later one offered a stable legal identity for the entire community.

In other words, the Law now shows direction from God himself 2 Timothy 3:16, and not from one man, "MOSES"

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report