Redemption Followed by Obedience
Monday, June 6, 2011 at 8:12PM 
From Tom Schreiner, in 40 Questions About Christians and Biblical Law, in his answer to the question, “Was the Mosaic covenant legalistic?”
Observing the Ten Commandments did not constitute the basis upon which Israel would gain life. Israel was rescued by the Lord from Egypt and borne upon eagles’ wings (Exod. 19:4). Before the Ten Commandments were given, the Lord declared, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery’ (Exod. 20:2). The giving of the law followed the salvation of Israel, and hence such obedience signified Israel’s grateful response to the redemption accomplished by the Lord. There is no basis in the text for the idea that Israel’s obedience established a relationship with the Lord. The Lord took the initiative in rescuing his people, and they were called upon to respond with faithful obedience.
The gracious character of the Mosaic covenant is supported by the structure of the covenant. Many scholars have argued that the Mosaic covenant represents a suzerain-vassal treaty in which Yahweh is the great suzerain and Israel the vassal. In such treaties the historical prologue, which recounts what the suzerain has done to benefit his vassals, precedes the covenant stipulations and the covenant curses. In the same way, the Lord recounts in the covenant structure what he has done for Israel (historical prologue) in delivering them from Egypt and preserving them from their enemies before he gives them covenant stipulations (the law). The Lord also promises them covenantal blessings if they obey or threatens them with covenantal curses if they disobey. The pattern established in the Mosaic covenant, which is redemption followed by obedience, functions as a type or pattern for New Testament believers. Believers have been redeemed through the work of Christ, and they respond to his saving mercy with grateful obedience. Such grateful obedience, under both the Mosaic covenant and the new covenant established by Jesus Christ, is not legalistic, for there is no idea that such obedience earns or merits salvation under either the old covenant or the new. The obedience of believers flows from faith and is a thankful response to God’s saving work in Christ.
What do you think?
