Apples to Oranges – Part 1

We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ [2 Corinthians 3:13-14].

You’ve undoubtedly heard the aphorism, “Comparing apples to oranges”. The two are both fruit, but otherwise the dissimilarities are determinative. Each is a different species entirely, not having the same family “genes”.

The same is true of the Covenant of Law and the Covenant of Grace. Much confusion abounds in theology today because intelligent Christians compare apples to oranges, er, I mean Law to Grace. They think they have a handle on the Bible, but they fail to recognize the context of the text. They lump it all together as “God’s Word” and figure that suffices.

Yes, the entire Bible is unqualifiedly the Word of God, inerrant and infallible in the original manuscripts. But the entire Bible does not address the same social, political, economic, and spiritual situations. Nor was the entire Bible written to the same people. Neither was the entire Bible written to the same people facing the same conditions in each case.

To get the right meaning from the Bible, we must rightly divide the Word of truth (cf., 2 Timothy 2:15). Lumping it all together is like combining the sheep and the goats, under the guise that we see no difference. We’ll soon feel the difference, however. The sheep will follow, but the goats will head butt!

In the Bible text which we quoted to kick off this study, Paul based his teaching on this very concept. He wanted us to be sure we put into context each Bible text, to realize the fundamental difference between the Covenant of Law and the Covenant of Grace.

In v.6 of 2 Corinthians 13 Paul makes reference to a “new covenant”. That, dear friends, refers to the Covenant of Grace. If there is a “new” covenant, then there perforce must be an “old” covenant too. Of course there is. It is the Covenant of Law. Let’s list the distinctions Paul makes, listing the “old” followed by the “new”.

1. written on stone tablets vs. written on human hearts (v.3)
2. the letter vs. the Spirit (v.6)
3. the letter kills vs. the Spirit gives life (v.6)
4. ministry of death vs. ministry of the Spirit (vv.7-8)
5. ministry of condemnation vs. ministry of righteousness (v.9)
6. that which fades away vs. that which remains (v.11)

We find a true interpretation of our opening Bible text in the context of Law vs. Grace, as itemized by those six contrasting phrases. Now let’s assay those verses.

Before the tabernacle worship structure was constructed and set up at Mount Sinai, Moses set up another tent outside the camp. He would repair to this tent when he wanted to visit with the Lord for whatever reason. After communing with the Lord in said tent, Moses’ face shone with the glory of the Lord. When he exited the tent the Israelites were afraid, so Moses covered his face with a veil. You may wish to consult Exodus: Volume 2 for more information.

This is what Paul referenced in 2 Corinthians 3. Paul pointed out that Moses covered his face with a veil because the glory of the Lord which radiated on his face didn’t last long. It was a temporary glory, not a lasting or eternal glory. Moses, of course, brought the Word of God to the Israelites, and it is known as the Law of Moses, i.e., the Covenant of Law.

We will continue in our next study with this topic. Take the time now to enjoy fellowship with the Lord. Give Him His due and reap the blessings of His presence.

To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...