I. God’s Royal Law

God created all men and women in his image. They were designed to love him with all their hearts. Additionally, they were custom created to love all those made in God’s image. This has become known as the “royal law” of God, and it is the underlying foundation for all God’s rules.

When God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were to prove their love and allegiance to him by obeying his command. Obedience was the fruit of love and trust. If they loved and obeyed, they would continue to enjoy communal bliss with God. However, if they disobeyed, the too would suffer the curse poured out upon Satan and his angels. In theological circles, this has come to be known as the “Covenant of Works.”

II. God’s Moral Laws

God prescribed other laws based upon the royal law of love. All these laws dealt with loving God. Some of these laws dealt with loving one’s neighbor. All these laws were immutable and eternal. Even in heaven, these moral laws are kept.

God communicated his moral laws to the patriarchs. Adam, Eve, Cain, and Able were to love God alone, treat him with due respect, and worship him properly. They were not to murder and were to respect those in authority over them. From Scripture it is plain to see that God’s prescription of his moral laws predated Moses.

Later, God communicated his law to the Israelites. God met with Moses atop Mt. Sinai and gave him two tablets containing ten commandments. The first four of these treated man’s duty towards God. The next six deal with man’s duty to neighbor.

III. God’s Ceremonial Laws

In addition to God’s moral laws, he also gave ceremonial laws. Some were given prior to Sinai; most came through Moses. These laws were prescribed to aid Israel in her worship.

IV. God’s Civil Laws

To Israel, God also gave political laws to assist his chosen nation in her government.