If you are like me, you hate arbitrary rules. You question why they exist and usually chalk it up to misuse of power.
When it comes to the rules and laws of men, this is often an accurate assessment.
Many of us are quick to dismiss regulations, whether they come from society, parents, or even religious texts, as unnecessary restrictions on our freedom.
But as far as Biblical law is concerned, there’s more to these laws than meets the eye.
The Human Tendency to Rebel
We all have a rebellious streak. When faced with rules we don’t like or understand, our first instinct is often to reject them.
This is purely natural.
We might view rules as:
- Unnecessary constraints
- Overly controlling measures
- Obstacles to be ignored or eliminated
This knee-jerk reaction isn’t limited to societal laws or parental guidelines.
Even divine commandments found in religious scriptures can fall to our skepticism.
But as we will see, if we look deep into the purpose of the test, the reason for the law will become apparent.
Rash Judgments
Sometimes our quick dismissal of rules we don’t agree with stems from a place of arrogance.
We assume we know better than the authorities tasked with creating and enforcing these regulations.
While this might be true with man made laws, it cannot be correct when it comes to the laws of God.
This attitude ignores the possibility that there might be well-thought-out reasons behind restrictions that aren’t immediately apparent to us.
A Rational Perspective on God’s Laws
When it comes to divine commandments, we have to use a different perspective than with the law of man.
Unlike human-made laws, which can be flawed or self-serving, God’s laws are described as perfect, rational, and ultimately beneficial.
Consider Deuteronomy 6:24:
“And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.”
God’s laws serve a greater purpose beyond mere restriction. They are designed for our ultimate good and well-being.
And in truth, many times good comes from restriction.
We place restrictions on our diet and train to better our bodies.
God places restrictions on our lives to better our lives – even though it seems like we are just missing out on all the enjoyment.
The Wisdom Behind God’s Laws
God’s laws aren’t random or pointless.
They are rational.
They are logical.
They’re crafted with wisdom that is not obvious to us, though we can undercover it with study.
God’s Law and divine statutes are filled with:
- Rationality and reasonableness
- Inherent wisdom
- Justice and fairness
- Long-term benefits for adherents
Human laws frequently fall short of these ideals, divine commandments are described as consistently aiming for our best interests.
The law of God improves the lives of men.
Practical Benefits of Following God’s Laws
Obedience to divine commandments isn’t just about spiritual improvements – it can have benefits in our daily lives that can be felt, seen and sometimes even measured.
The Bible teaches that following the laws of God can/will:
- Improve our overall quality of life
- Potentially extend our lifespan
- Provide guidance in complex scenarios
- Create peace in communities
The Protective Nature of God’s Laws
When we look deeper into the purpose of God’s laws, we discover a hidden truth: God’s commandments often serve as a protective barrier against the harmful consequences of sin.
The laws of God are divine guardrails, designed to keep us on a safe path.
For instance, the law against adultery isn’t meant to restrict our sexual freedom, but to protect the sanctity of marriage, prevent emotional trauma, and maintain family stability.
Similarly, laws against theft and dishonesty aren’t mindless limitations, but safeguards for social trust and economic fairness – preserving the social fabric within a. Moral,God-fearing nation.
Even those dietary laws found in Leviticus and other passages are early forms of public health measures, protecting Israel from foodborne illnesses found in weird animals in times before we even knew about the dangers these foods possessed.
By obeying the law of God, we’re not just blindly following rules, but actively shielding ourselves from the practical consequences of sin.
With this perspective, God’s laws are seen for what they truly are: behavioral guidelines based on rationality and wisdom.
Conclusion: Rational Thought
We must learn to step back and consider the purpose of the law of God. By doing this, by understanding the reasons behind the laws, we can bolster our motivation to obey.
Instead of obeying out of blind adherence, we can obey out of understanding.
That understanding of the law makes it more tolerable to obey the laws that are extraordinarily difficult to obey such as the laws of sexual morality and management of material possessions.
If we approach the text with a searching mindset, hunting the reasons behind the laws, we can discover wisdom and benefits we hadn’t previously considered.
The next time you encounter a rule that seems pointless or overly restrictive, pause and ask yourself: Could there be a greater purpose behind this that I’m not seeing?
You might be surprised by what you discover.
