The Supreme Lawgiver

"One there is that lawgiver and judge," the Bible tells us. (James 4:12) Indeed, Jehovah is the only true Lawgiver. Even the movements of the heavenly bodies are governed by his "celestial laws." (Job 38:33,The New Jerusalem Bible) Jehovah's myriads of holy angels are likewise governed by divine law, for they are organized into definite ranks and serve under Jehovah's command as his ministers. - Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7, 14.

Jehovah has given laws to mankind as well. Each of us has a conscience, a reflection of Jehovah's sense of justice. A kind of internal law, the conscience can help us to distinguish right from wrong. (Romans 2:14) Our first parents were blessed with a perfect conscience, so they needed but a few laws. (Genesis 2:15-17) Imperfect man, however, needs more laws to guide him in the doing of God's will. Such patriarchs as Noah, Abraham and Jacob received laws from Jehovah God and transmitted these to their families. (Genesis 6:22; 9:3-6; 18:19; 26:4, 5) Jehovah caused himself to become Lawgiver in an unprecedented way when he gave the nation Israel a Law code by means of Moses. This legal code offers us extensive insight into Jehovah's sense of justice.

Next time: The Mosaic Law - An Overview

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002