The Precepts of the Old Law

The precepts of the Old Law have a single purpose, butthey concern various things.

In the Old Law we find moral precepts, for thelaw that is to bring man back to God must make man morallygood.

Besides moral precepts the Old Law containsceremonial prescriptions for giving expression toman’s turning to God, by a common and fitting ceremonialworship.

Further, the Old Law contains certain judicialdirectives or precepts which regulate the conduct of the Chosen People towards one another, towards strangers in theirmidst, and among those occupying different stations in life.

These three items make up the whole prescription of the Old Law: moral precepts, ceremonial laws, and judicialdirectives.

The Old Law disposed man for the Christiandispensation, that is, for the New Law, as the imperfect disposesfor the perfect. Hence, it was fitting that temporal rewards andpunishments were used to enforce the Old Law; such incentives suitman in his imperfect state.