Lesson #41—God’s Moral Law: Comprehended

Shorter Catechism Q & A #40

Q. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Moral Law: Belonging to and revealed by the Lord Jehovah, the only acceptable standard whereby the moral character of the Creator is seen and to which man is accountable. Obedience to the moral law reveals the character of man who was created after the image of God.

What does it mean?

Summarily comprehended (immediately understood): This is not a matter of debate but of reception; as it reveals the moral character of our Creator; and, thus, what is the moral character of man, as being created after his image.

Discuss the meaning of the moral law in light of Deuteronomy 10:4 and Matthew 19:17–19, and its probable effect on the moral life of both the Christian and the wicked.

What is our practice?

How should we approach the moral law of God as to our sinfulness, repentance, obedience, praise, thanksgiving, love, etc?

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“If God spake all these words, then we must attend to them with reverence. Every word of the moral law is an oracle from heaven. God himself is the preacher, which calls for reverence. If a judge gives a charge upon the bench, all attend with reverence. In the moral law God himself gives a charge, ‘God spake all these words;’ with what veneration, therefore, should we attend! Moses put off his shoes from his feet, in token of reverence, when God was about to speak to him. Ex 3:5, 6.

“If God spake all these words of the moral law, then we must remember them. Surely all God speaks is worth remembering; those words are weighty which concern salvation. ‘It is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life.’ Deut 32:47. Our memory should be like the chest in the ark where the law was kept. God’s oracles are ornaments, and shall we forget them? ‘Can a maid forget her ornaments?’ Jer. 2:32.” (Thomas Watson)

“The law speaks to us today just as clearly as to that generation. A law that was so important God Himself descended and personally not only spoke the words, but also with His own finger wrote these words on stone tablets lest one single dot be missed in the later dictation of man. If this law is so important to God, how dare man with his sin-darkened mind hold it in less esteem? The Lord said that not one jot would pass away before the end of this world. How is it then, from almost the beginning, man has chosen to reduce these words to those which fit neatly on a single page or plaque?” (Chuck Baynard, When the Mountain Thundered)

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