The Lord's Instructions, often referred to as divine commandments or decrees, are central to the biblical narrative and are foundational to the faith and practice of believers. These instructions are seen as the revealed will of God, guiding His people in righteousness, holiness, and obedience.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Lord's Instructions are prominently featured in the form of the Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This includes the Ten Commandments, which are a summary of God's moral law. Exodus 20:1-17 records these commandments, beginning with, "And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.'"

The Law, or Torah, encompasses not only the Ten Commandments but also various ceremonial, civil, and moral laws found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These instructions were given to set Israel apart as a holy nation and to guide them in their covenant relationship with God. Deuteronomy 6:1-2 emphasizes the importance of these instructions: "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged."

Prophetic Emphasis

The prophets of the Old Testament continually called the people of Israel back to the Lord's Instructions, urging them to repent and return to the covenant. Isaiah 1:16-17 exhorts, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He embodies the perfect obedience to the Lord's Instructions and provides a new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection. In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them."

Jesus' teachings further expound on the heart of the Lord's Instructions, emphasizing love for God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. Matthew 22:37-40 records Jesus' words: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."

Apostolic Teaching

The apostles continued to teach the importance of the Lord's Instructions, now understood in light of Christ's redemptive work. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 13:8-10 , writes, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. The commandments 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law."

Practical Application

For believers, the Lord's Instructions are not merely historical or ceremonial but are living and active, guiding daily life and conduct. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live according to these divine instructions, producing the fruit of righteousness. Galatians 5:22-23 describes this fruit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The Lord's Instructions remain a vital aspect of Christian discipleship, calling believers to a life of holiness, love, and obedience to God.