Judging the Law

I had an interesting conversation this week with an attorney, who, upon learning that I am a minister of the Christian faith made a shocking comment. He used the recent murder of an abortionist doctor to draw a parallel between Christians and Muslim terrorists. In his mind the majority of Christians are no different than Muslims because extremists exist in both camps.

I confess that my tongue is sore from biting it but I was still quick enough to point out that credible Christian leaders condemn abortion bombings and they do so openly and vigorously. I have yet to hear such reactions from the Muslim community about terrorism. Furthermore, no one in the Christian community would strap a bomb to the chest of a child and send him into a crowd on a suicide mission. Even among radicals who claim to be Christian, mothers don’t teach their children that it is pleasing to God to become a martyr by murdering innocent people. What would happen in America if prisoners in Gitmo were beheaded by American soldiers? Where was the public outcry among Muslims for barbaric torture in Islamic countries?

I pointed out that the God of the Bible is a rational God with rational laws. That reminded him of a biblical law that appears on the surface, to be unreasonable. “There is a law in the Old Testament which required that tassels be worn,” he said. “What kind of God would require that?”

I’ve heard that example used frequently by people who have little knowledge of the Bible. This law seems to get more press lately than the Ten Commandments. Even so, why was it written in the Bible and what does it mean?

Well, first, remember Israel’s laws were both religious and secular. In other words, God was using Israel as a model of justice for the world to see what God is like. That required at least two things. Israel needed to be constantly reminded of these good laws, and be aware of their covenant with God to keep them.

Having said that let’s take a look at what God told Moses to tell the children of Israel. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: [This is generally interpreted as a tassel.] And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: (Numbers 15:37-39)

This tassel served to identify that they were Israelites and were members of the covenant community which represented the Laws of God to the world.

A strong comparison can be drawn to military personnel that are required to wear uniforms as a mark of identity. When assembled for inspection, the manner of dress required may be specific even to the way the coat is buttoned and the brass is positioned.

Furthermore, America expects its military personnel to act in a manner that reflects character. Sometimes more is expected of the military than of Congress.

When God attached His name to Israel, He entered into a covenant with the entire community. His laws identified them as a special people because they were chosen by God. He apparently wanted to keep a visible symbol before them to remind them of their conduct. Israel was known for justice because they served a just God. These laws were evidence of His justice and His justice was evidence that He is God.

But the question remains, is the manner of dress important? Well, let’s use police officers as an example. How can a person know who is authorized to speak for the government if there is not some official designation? Historically people with specific jobs have been identified by their dress. Can any person wear a police uniform, put state insignia on his door and equip his car with a siren? The state has a responsibility to designate who is a legitimate police officer to protect citizens from impostors.

In a sense God faced the same dilemma. He showed the power of His laws by choosing one nation to be His. But He had to make plain to the world who His chosen people were. He gave this special nation a system of laws that produces justice that became the envy of all the world. And citizens of this rare nation were given a form of identity, just like the bank gives you an identity card that allows you to withdraw funds from your bank account. It was a tassel at the bottom of the robe that identified each man as a member of the covenant community and reminded him of his duty to the law.

Until next time,