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Originally Posted by S. Spence  I’ve already asked questions about the Mosaic Covenant but I’m still not sure if I completely get it.
Horton says that the Mosaic Covenant is really a republication of the CoW and backs that up with the, ‘this do and live,’ language used.
Others, such as O. Palmer Robertson see the Mosaic Covenant as part of the CoG.
Witsius seems to take mediating view, in Book 4 of, ‘The Economy of the Covenants,’ he make the point that the Mosaic Covenant was not formally a CoW because among other things a Cow cannot be made with a sinner. He then goes on to say that the Mosaic Covenant was not formally a CoG because a CoG requires not only obedience but also provides the strength to obey.
My problem is I can see arguments for all the positions laid out above and so I have kind of got myself confused. I would probably lean towards the Mosaic Covenant being administration of the CoG as that makes sense to me. If God were progressively revealing a plan of redemption that would point towards the mediator of the Covenant why would He suddenly introduce a covenant that was not of Grace?
So what is the Mosaic Covenant, CoW, CoG or something else? …..Help please. |
Stephen,
The covenant of works is still in force for all who are not in Christ; the covenant of grace is in force for all who are in Christ. Moses forsook the riches of Egypt for the reproach of Christ. This makes him a Christian.
The giving of the Law is not contrary to the promise of the gospel (see Paul's argument in Galatians 3, I believe).
IF, however, I am a wicked man, I will interpret the Law as a covenant of works, and will be judged by it (see Romans 2 - 3). However, IF, I see the Law as part of the administration of God's gracious covenant, then I will not misapply it as leading to "do this and live".
Each view you mentioned has some merit: one recognizing the ongoing validity of the covenant of works. One recognizing that God's intention and end in view in giving the Law is not to teach us justification by our works, but rather to slay our pride, humble us in the dust, and drive us to Christ alone for our justification.
The Law, in a civil sense, is to be administered impartially, and under the "lex taliones" principle: eye for an eye, etc. There is NO mercy in the civil administration of the law. God commands this to be so. No mercy in administering civil sanctions of the Law. BUT, thank God for His marvelous mercy in our salvation from the curse of the Law in HIS court room, by our Surety, Jesus Christ!
By the by, this is the beauty of our Confession: it balances the Moral Law's use in justification, sanctification, civil application, etc.
Cheers,
Adam