O Come, O Come, Great Lord of Might

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

When the Hebrew slaves were freed from Egypt, they encamped at Mount Sinai, where Moses received teaching from the LORD, and the people were made into a nation. The teaching (torah, often translated “Law”) sets forth God’s intention for how His people are to follow Him.

Over time, certain Jews became very legalistic in their interpretation of the Law. When we get caught up in the details of the Law (or any rules), we find ways to get around them. We focus on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law, and eventually lose sight of its original intent.

When Jesus began his teaching ministry, he declared that he came not to abolish what was already established in the law and the prophets, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). Sometimes we read the New Testament as if it nullifies the Old Testament. Rather, Jesus came to restore the Law and the Prophets to their original intention. He fulfills it, meaning he fills it fully with meaning. He does not take away from the law or add anything to it. He does not get caught up in the details that had been added to the law, but restores it to its original intention.

The God who gave the Law at Sinai remains faithful, even when his people are not. Rejoice!