God gave a law through Moses to the children of Israel (Ex. 19:1-8). This law was not for other nations (Deut. 4:7, 8), but for Israel (Ex. 34:27; Deut. 5:1-3; Mal. 4:4). Galatians 3:17 says the law came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham to bless all nations. The law did not nullify the promise, rather it was added because of transgressions (Gal. 3:19). The law of Moses functioned as a guardian (Gal. 3:24). A guardian supervises and guides the children until they are grown; however, once they are grown, they are no longer under the guardian. Paul, an Israelite who grew up under the law, said, “we are no longer under a guardian” (Gal. 3:25 ESV).  The law of Moses has served its function. It brought us to Christ. Now in Christ all nations have the blessings of the promise made to Abraham long ago (Gal. 3:26-29).

Christ has come and the law has changed. The book of Hebrews speaks of Christ being our high priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:10; 6:20; 7:1-11, 15-17, 21). The Levitical priesthood of the law of Moses has been replaced by the superior priesthood of Christ. Hebrews 7:12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.” Hebrews 8 goes on to describe how God fulfilled His promise to make a new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34). This new covenant would not be according to the covenant He made at Sinai when He had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt (Jer. 31:32; Heb. 8:9) because the Sinai covenant was broken by the Israelites. Hebrews 10:1 explains the law was a shadow of things to come. The sacrifices of the law have been superseded by the sacrifice of Christ; thus, He has taken away the first law that He may establish the second (Heb. 10:8, 9). This is why the Bible uses the terms New Testament/Covenant (Mt. 26:28; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6;  Heb. 9:15)  and Old Testament/Covenant (2 Cor. 3:14; Heb. 8:13).

In Romans 7:1-4, Paul gives the illustration of a widow. While her husband was alive she was bound to him, but now that he is deceased she is released to be married to another. He concludes, “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God” (Rom. 7:4). Similarly, he wrote, “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:19, 20).

Many benefits come from understanding the Old Testament (Rom. 15:4); however, we must remember in our application of the Scriptures that the law of Moses is no longer in effect. We are not judged according to the law’s dietary restrictions, its annual feasts, or keeping the Sabbath (Col. 2:16). Christ abolished in His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Eph. 2:15).