17. Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham? “Because Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Gen. 26:5. NOTE.—Then God’s commandments and laws existed in the time of Abraham. 18. Before giving the law at Sinai, what did God say because some of the people went out to gather manna on the seventh day? “And the Lord said unto Moses, _How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?_” Ex. 16:28. 19. Had the Lord spoken regarding the Sabbath previous to this time? “This is that which the Lord _hath said_, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath.” Verse 23. 20. Before coming to Sinai, what had Moses taught Israel? “When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and _I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws_.” Ex. 18:16. NOTE.—All this shows that the law of God existed from the beginning, and was known and taught in the world before it was proclaimed at Sinai. The Law Of God In The New Testament [Illustration.] Paul Preaching To The Thessalonians. "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3. 1. By what means did the Jews know God’s will? “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest His will, ... _being instructed out of the law_.” Rom. 2:17, 18. 2. What did they have in the law? “Which hast _the form of knowledge and of the truth_ in the law.” Verse 20. NOTE.—The written law presents the _form_ of knowledge and of the truth. Grace and truth, or grace and the reality or realization of that which the written law demands, came by Jesus Christ. He was the law in life and action. 3. What did Jesus say of His attitude toward the law? “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: _I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil_.” Matt. 5:17. NOTE.—By the expression “the law” here is meant the five books of Moses; and by “the prophets,” the writings of the prophets. Christ did not come to set aside or to destroy either of these, but to fulfil both. The ceremonialism of types and shadows contained in the books written by Moses He fulfilled by meeting them as their great Antitype. The moral law, the great basic fabric underlying all of Moses’ writings, Christ fulfilled by a life of perfect obedience to all its requirements. The prophets He fulfilled in His advent as the Messiah, Prophet, Teacher, and Saviour foretold by them. 4. What did He teach concerning the stability of the law? “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Verse 18. 5. In what instruction did He emphasize the importance of keeping the law?