"The Law of Jehovah Is Perfect" - The Law Promoted Love

Can you imagine a modern-day legal system that encourages love?   The Mosaic Law promoted love, above all else. Why, in the book of Deuteronomy alone, the word for "love" occurs in various forms over 20 times.  "You must love your fellow as yourself" was the second-greatest commandment of all the Law.  (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-40) God's people were to show such love not only to one another but also to the alien residents in their midst, remembering that the Israelites too had once been alien residents.  They were to show love to the poor and afflicted, helping them out materially and refraining from taking advantage of their weaknesses.  They were even directed to treat beasts of burden with kindness and consideration. -Exodus 23:6; Leviticus 19:14, 33, 34; Deuteronomy 22:4, 10; 24:17, 18. 

What other nations has been blessed with such a legal code?  No wonder the psalmist wrote: "How do I love your law!" His love, however, was not merely a feeling. It moved him to action, for he strove to obey that law and to live by it. Further, he continued:  "All day long [your law] is my concern."  (Psalm 119:11, 97)  Yes, he regularly spent time studying Jehovah's law. There can be no doubt that as he did, his love for them increased.  At the same time, his love for the Lawgiver, Jehovah God, grew as well.  As you continue to study divine law, may you too grow ever closer to Jehovah, the Great Lawgiver and God of justice. 

Next time:  Chapter 14/ Jehovah Provides "a Ransom in Exchange for Many"

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah