"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Timothy 3:16. "Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. The Old Testament no less than the New should receive attention. As we study the Old Testament we shall find living springs bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert." Education p. 191.

We lose much by our neglecting the study of the Old Testament. I remember, as a child, thinking that I could read the Bible right through if only there were no Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. But these are the very ones that Jesus used in His own teachings: "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." John 5:46,47; Luke 24:44, 45.

"The only Scriptures in the days of Christ were the books now known as the Old Testament; these testify of Him. They were given for no other purpose. They are able to make men wise unto salvation, through faith. ‘Which is in Christ Jesus;’ (2 Timothy 3:15) and among those writings the Books of Moses are specially pointed out by the Lord as revealing Him. He who reads the writings of Moses, and the entire Old Testament, with any other expectation than to find Christ, and the way of life through Him, will utterly fail of understanding them. His reading will be in vain." Everlasting Covenant, pp. 45, 46 by E.J. Waggoner.

In the closing verses of the Bible Jesus said: "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14. He did not say Blessed are they that only know the commandments, or Blessed are they that only teach the commandments. He said: "Blessed are they that do his commandments." "Heaven can never be gained by an imperfect obedience; for this would place all heaven in jeopardy, and make possible a second rebellion." Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889.

Before a person can obey the ten commandments, he needs to understand what they mean; and how they apply in every day life. In order to clearly explain their meaning, God gave further instruction to Israel. He said: "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." Deuteronomy 4:1, 2. Along with the ten commandments, God gave Israel statutes and judgments "that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God."

What are these statutes and judgments? "He then came still closer to his people, who were so readily led astray, and would not leave them with merely the ten precepts of the decalogue. He commanded Moses to write, as he should bid him, judgments and laws, giving minute directions in regard to what he required them to perform, and thereby guarded the ten precepts which he had engraved upon the tables of stone. These specific directions and requirements were given to draw erring man to the obedience of the moral law, which he is so prone to transgress.

"If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved in the ark by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a token or pledge, they would never have gone into idolatry, nor been suffered to go down into Egypt; and there would have been no necessity of God’s proclaiming his law from Sinai, and engraving it upon tables of stone, and guarding it by definite directions in the judgments and statutes given to Moses.

"Moses wrote these judgments and statutes from the mouth of God while he was with him in the mount. If the people of God had obeyed the principles of the ten commandments, there would have been no need of the specific directions given to Moses, which he wrote in a book, relative to their duty to God and to one another. The definite directions which the Lord gave to Moses in regard to the duty of the people to one another, and to the stranger, are the principles of the ten commandments simplified and given in a definite manner, that they need not err." Vol. 1 Spirit of Prophecy, pp. 264-265.

When we speak of the statutes and judgments, we are simply speaking of the ten commandments simplified. These were written in a book called the book of the covenant: "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words." Exodus 24:5-12.

This book was needed because "The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God’s ten precepts. That the obligations of the decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the precepts of the ten commandments. Unlike the decalogue, these were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people." Review and Herald, August 16, 1906.

The ten commandments are eternal. "The moral law was never a type or a shadow. It existed before man’s creation, and will endure as long as God’s throne remains. God could not change nor alter one precept of His law in order to save man; for the law is the foundation of His government. It is unchangeable, unalterable, infinite, and eternal. In order for man to be saved, and for the honor of the law to be maintained, it was necessary for the Son of God to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He died for us on Calvary. His death shows the wonderful love of God for man and the immutability of His law." Vol. 1, Selected Messages, pp. 239-240.

"After the transgression of Adam the principles of the law were not changed, but were definitely arranged and expressed to meet man in his fallen condition." Vol. 1, Selected Messages, p. 230.

The ceremonial law, which was added as a result of transgression, pointed to the Saviour. It would never have existed, nor would it have been instituted, if Adam had not sinned. "If Adam had not transgressed the law of God, the ceremonial law would never have been instituted. . . The knowledge of God’s law, and the plan of salvation were imparted to Adam and Eve by Christ Himself. They carefully treasured the important lesson, and transmitted it by word of mouth, to their children, and children’s children. Thus the knowledge of God’s law was preserved." Vol. 1, Selected Messages, p. 230.

Let us examine this again. Why was the ceremonial law given and what contrasts them with the law of ten commandments that includes the statutes and judgments that only simplify that law? "God gave a clear and definite knowledge of his will to Israel by especial precepts, showing the duty of man to God and to his fellowmen. The worship due to God was clearly defined. A special system of rites and ceremonies was established, which would secure the remembrance of God among his people, and thereby serve as a hedge to guard and protect the ten commandments from violation.

"God’s people, whom he calls his peculiar treasure, were privileged with a two-fold system of law; the moral and the ceremonial. The one, pointing back to creation to keep in remembrance the living God who made the world, whose claims are binding upon all men in every dispensation, and which will exist through all time and eternity. The other, given because of man’s transgression of the moral law, the obedience to which consisted in sacrifices and offerings pointing to the future redemption. Each is clear and distinct from the other. From the creation the moral law was an essential part of God’s divine plan, and was as unchangeable as himself. The ceremonial law was to answer a particular purpose in Christ’s plan for the salvation of the race. The typical system of sacrifices and offerings was established that through these services the sinner might discern the great offering, Christ." Review and Herald, May 6, 1875.

This statement brings to view a two-fold system of law. The one is moral and the other is ceremonial. "The one, pointing back to creation to keep in remembrance the living God who made the world, whose claims are binding upon all men in every dispensation, and which will exist through all time and eternity." This is the one that is here called the moral law based on the ten commandments. "The other, given because of man’s transgression of the moral law, the obedience to which consisted in sacrifices and offerings pointing to the future redemption." Each of these laws is "clear and distinct from the other."

What distinguishes them from each other? It is their nature. The principles of one point back to eternity before sin entered the world while the principles of the other point forward to a future redemption after sin entered into the world. The one pointing to the future consisted not only of sacrifices but also offerings and ceremonies.

Therefore, in our study of the Old Testament, we have this simple rule to help us understand what law is of a moral nature and what is ceremonial. Take the Passover service for an example. Do its principles point forward to a future redemption or back to principles instituted before sin entered the world? Quite obviously to a future redemption. Therefore, it belongs to the ceremonial law and is not part of the eternal statutes and judgments that simply explain the law of Jehovah.

What are some of the examples we can give of these statutes? "The law of types reached forward to Christ. All hope and faith centered in Christ until type reached its antitype in his death. The statutes and judgments specifying the duty of man to his fellow-men, were full of important instruction, defining and simplifying the principles of the moral law, for the purpose of increasing religious knowledge, and of preserving God’s chosen people distinct and separate from idolatrous nations.

"The statutes concerning marriage, inheritance, and strict justice in deal with one another, were peculiar and contrary to the customs and manners of others nations, and were designed of God to keep his people separate from other nations. The necessity of this to preserve the people of God from becoming like the nations who had not the love and fear of God, is the same in this corrupt age, when the transgression of God’s law prevails and idolatry exists to a fearful extent. If ancient Israel needed such security, we need it more, to keep us from being utterly confounded with the transgressors of God’s law. The hearts of men are so prone to depart from God that there is a necessity for restraint and discipline." Review and Herald, May 6, 1875.

Another example of the statutes would be the laws of health: "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood." Leviticus 3:17.

These statutes given by Moses were continually enlarged until at last they were called the whole Bible. "After the saints are changed to immortality and caught up together with Jesus, after they receive their harps, their robes, and their crowns, and enter the city, Jesus and the saints sit in judgment. The books are opened — the book of life and the book of death. The book of life contains the good deeds of the saints; and the book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the statute book, the Bible, and according to that men are judged." Early Writings, p. 52.

These statutes did not pass away at the death of Christ. "In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon men in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law." Vol. 1, SDA Bible Commentary, p. 1104.

"As long as time should last." This is speaking to us today. Are we keeping these statutes?

When we speak of these statutes and judgments throughout the Bible, we are speaking of the principle behind each one rather than the exact specific in each case. For example, Numbers 15:37-41 records a specific that is no longer applicable in the same way today: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye used to go a whoring: that ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God."

"Here God expressly commanded a very simple arrangement of dress for the children of Israel for the purpose of distinguishing them from the idolatrous nations around them. . . An Israelite was known to be such as soon as seen, for God through simple means distinguished him as His. . .

"God would now have His people adopt the reform dress, not only to distinguish them from the world as His ‘peculiar people,’ but because a reform in dress is essential to physical and mental health."

"Many who profess to believe the Testimonies live in neglect of the light given. The dress reform is treated by some with great indifference and by others with contempt, because there is a cross attached to it. For this cross I thank God. It is just what we need to distinguish and separate God’s commandment-keeping people from the world. The dress reform answers to us as did the ribbon of blue to ancient Israel." Vol., 1 Testimonies, pp. 524, 525; Vol. 3 Testimonies, p. 171.

In the book of Malachi, the Lord brought to our attention that the law of God was to be restored along with the statutes and judgments. "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." Malachi. 4:4.

When Ezekiel speaks of a new heart offered to God’s people and the receiving of the Spirit of God upon us, he shows that the sure result is obedience to the statutes and judgments: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:25-27.

God wants to have a pure and holy people when Jesus comes the second time. Not only so, but He must have a pure people in order to receive the Latter Rain. "Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, p. 214.

When God’s people obey all the statutes, then they will be able to reach the character He intended for them and then they will be able to present the gospel message to the world in a clear manner. "Many are not obeying the commandments of God, yet they profess so to do. If they would be faithful to obey all the statutes of God, they would have a power which would carry conviction to the hearts of the unbelieving." Vol. 2, Testimonies for the Church, pp. 446-447.

Why must God have a pure people before He can send the Latter Rain? What will this pure people be teaching when they do receive it? "God is now testing and proving His people. Character is being developed. Angels are weighing moral worth, and keeping a faithful record of all the acts of the children of men. Among God’s professed people are corrupt hearts; but they will be tested and proved. That God who reads the hearts of everyone, will bring to light hidden things of darkness where they are often least suspected, that stumbling blocks which have hindered the progress of truth may be removed, and God have a clean and holy people to declare His statutes and judgments." Vol. 1, Testimonies for the Church, pp. 332-333.

What happens to those who are left behind because they would not keep the statutes? The statement continues: "The Captain of our salvation leads His people on step by step, purifying and fitting them for translation, and leaving in the rear those who are disposed to draw off from the body, who are not willing to be led, and are satisfied with their own righteousness." Ibid.

These statutes are therefore a part of that breach made in the law of God mentioned in Isaiah 58:12: "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations: and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

When God’s people have reached this characteristic, then, as they preach the gospel, the Lord will open the eyes of those who listen in order to see the statutes. "The proclamation of the gospel is the only means in which God can employ human beings as His instrumentalities for the salvation of souls. As men, women, and children proclaim the gospel, the Lord will open the eyes of the blind to see His statutes, and will write upon the hearts of the truly penitent His law. The animating Spirit of God, working through human agencies, leads the believers to be of one mind, one soul, unitedly loving God and keeping His commandments — preparing here below for translation." Vol. 7, Bible Commentary, p. 984.

Are you preparing for translation? Are you preparing for this work before us in giving this last message to the world? Let us learn the true meaning of these statutes and together with the children of Judah let us respond in a positive way: "Let us rise up and build." Nehemiah 2:18.