The Glorious New Covenant and the Burden of the Old (The Old Covenant, Part one)

 Introduction

  Many people have asked the question,"Why don't we still follow the laws of Moses?". Even I asked the question at one point in my life. I then quickly realized after just opening my eyes while studying the Bible, that the answer is everywhere and straight forward. Then I asked, "Why are there people still following these laws, since it's so clear they are void?". There are numerous people burdening themselves under these laws. I then found most religions based on following these laws have questionable intent. One of the largest and most influential of these religions is Armstrongism. However, there are multiple others that follow the Old Covenant. I will give the history and list of major fallacies in each of these religions, after giving reasons why not to follow the Old Covenant.

The Old Covenant

  The Old Covenant or Law of Moses were rules given to the Israelites by Moses in the Old Testament to help give order and guidelines to follow while in the wilderness and thereafter. Moses was given the authority by God to write these laws for the Israelites. These rules guaranteed the Israelites success because of it's strict rules on cleanliness, foods, and government. There were also ceremonial laws put in place to give the Israelites a feeling of unity with each other and with God, such as feasts' and holy days.
  These six hundred and thirteen Laws of Moses or the 613 Mitzvot did ensure the survival of the Israelites up until the birth of Jesus. However, they still were in bondage and even said to be under a curse because of these laws. (Gal 3:11-13, Gal 4:9-11) The problem was, the emphasis was put on following the rules and there was no spirituality to be found in them. Think about it, How many people start feeling patriotic after reading the law books? This was the same problem with the Old Covenant. It was a judicial standard void of forgiveness, comfort, and grace.
  Now of these laws Jesus stated the ones that were kept and ones that were changed. For example, the Ten Commandments written by God's hand which gave them more significance than the cleanliness and ceremonial laws that were written by Moses. Thus the reason why the Ten Commandments were reinstated in the New Covenant by Jesus.
  Are they useless? Well, many of the Laws of Moses have been use to create an international standard of law regarding nation's leaders, judges, and people. Furthermore, a standard for farming is also found in these laws, has proven to be a very productive method. Washing of hands, how to handle sickness and death, and other things can be taken from these laws to better are selves in life. However, Jesus himself stated that cleanliness is not Godliness, for that is a statement of the old law. (Mark 7).
  Was the Old Covenant necessary? Of course, the jews would have been lost without it, but one needs to realize that the New Covenant is a fulfillment of the Old. It replaces the burden with comfort, the rules with forgiveness, and the curse with grace.