Many people believe we should keep the ten commandments today. But what does the Bible Say? Let it answer!

The ten commandments were given to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai after they left Egypt (Deuteronomy 4:13, 9:9-10). Deuteronomy 5:2-3 says, “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.”  This was a new law God had given. This law had not been given to their fathers (ancestors). It was only given to the children of Israel!

The command to observe the sabbath (the 4th commandment) had never been given before Mt. Sinai (Nehemiah 9:13-14) and consequently, was not to be observed by any people except Israel for it had been given to them. Though this is contrary to the belief of those who say “sabbath keeping” was given earlier, the Bible says otherwise. The ten commandment law was made only with the house of Israel and no one else. It did not include Gentiles unless they became converts to the Jewish faith! Therefore, even if the Old Testament had not been done away in Christ (Hebrews 10:9), it would not be binding on Gentiles today (including “sabbath keeping”). It never has been!

Jeremiah 31:31-34 reveals the Old Law was only temporary in that God would one day give a New Law. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,” Notice the New Law would be different than the Old Law. Jeremiah’s statement was made 900 years after the Law was given and 600 years before Christ. The Hebrew writer quotes this passage from Jeremiah and applies it to Christ being. “He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” (Hebrews 8:6,7) 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 further stated some differences between the Old and the New. The Old Law was written on stone, the New Law would be written on a person’s heart. The Old Law did not provide forgiveness of sins whereas the New Law would.

The ten commandments were part and parcel of the Old Testament and have not been binding since Jesus died on the cross over 2,000 years ago. Christ at the time gave a better covenant which was established upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). Jeremiah 31:31-34 prophesied the Old Law would be replaced by a New Law. We can read of its fulfillment in Hebrews 8:6-13.

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