Week 26 · Day 1: The Law and the Gospel
The Law Given at Sinai
The law came after the promise, not instead of it.
What the labels mean
- Scripture explicitly says
- This states what the biblical text itself says, in the passage being read.
- Direct quotation or allusion
- One part of Scripture quotes or clearly alludes to another. The citing reference is named so you can check it.
- Canonical theme
- A connection across the whole Bible. The passages develop the same theme; one is not quoting the other.
- Interpretive conclusion
- A conclusion drawn from the text. The reasoning is given so you can weigh it against the passage.
- Application
- A step, prayer or question for the reader. Not a claim about what the passage states.
Today’s verse
Loading Exodus 20:1-2…
Exodus 20:1-2
Today’s focus
The truth of the day
Before a single commandment is given, God identifies Himself by what He has already done. He is the one who brought them out of Egypt. The law at Sinai follows deliverance; it does not produce it. Israel was already redeemed when the commandments were spoken.
This ordering matters for how the whole law should be read. It is not a ladder people climb to earn God's favor. It is instruction given to a people already rescued, showing them how to live as His own in response to what He had done.
Today’s reminder
Scripture explicitly says- The law was given to a redeemed people, not to redeem a people.
- God's self-identification as deliverer precedes every command.
- Obedience under the old covenant, rightly understood, was gratitude expressed, not merit earned.
Deeper insight
What the passage says in its own setting
The structure of Exodus itself makes the same point. The exodus from Egypt happens in chapters 12 to 14; the giving of the law does not occur until chapter 20, well after Israel has already been redeemed and brought to Sinai. Even the covenant at Sinai (chapter 19) is framed with grace: you have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself (19:4), before any obligation is stated.
Paul makes this ordering explicit centuries later in Galatians 3:17, arguing that the law, which came four hundred thirty years after the promise to Abraham, does not annul a covenant already confirmed by God. The pattern of grace preceding law, established at the exodus, is the same pattern Paul insists on for the gospel: promise and grace come first, and the law was added for a specific purpose without replacing that foundation.
Christ connection
Where this leads to Jesus
Canonical themeThe pattern of deliverance before law anticipates the gospel pattern exactly. Titus 3:5 says He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, and Christian obedience follows that salvation rather than earning it.
Reflection
ApplicationDo you tend to treat obedience as something owed in response to grace already given, or as a way of earning favor not yet granted?
Today’s action
ApplicationList three things God has already done for you before reading any command today, and let that order shape how you obey.
Today’s prayer
ApplicationLord, You are the God who delivers before You commands. Let my obedience always answer what You have already done for me, not attempt to earn what You have already given. Amen.
Another layer
Keep going into the library
- The deep chapter study of Exodus 20
- Everything on The Law in the library