It is reassuring to know that Christ has Redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
The word “curse” is one of the commonly used words that can mean different things in the context of scripture as well as other writings. On one hand, it could mean to reject, and on the other hand, it could mean a consequence.
When looked at with regards to the Law, a curse would most likely be the consequence for defaulting on a law.
To arrive at how Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, we will look at the cursed in Deuteronomy, what the curse of the law is, and then the redemption.
Meanwhile, you should consider reading my article, My Help Comes From The Lord. It’s the most recent!
The Curse of the Law in Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is an embodiment of the curse and the blessing, with instructions to abide by.
For the sake of this writing, with reference to Galatians 3:10, let’s look at the cursed in Deuteronomy 27:11–26 (WEB):
“ Moses commanded the people the same day, saying,
“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel,
‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
From what we read in verses 11–13, Moses had the Israelites divided into two groups, each with six tribes, to stand on two mounts: Gerizim to bless the people and Ebal for the curse.
Going beyond the setting, his command for the Levites from verses 15 to 25 was to pronounce a curse on those who didn’t abide by the Law.
Picturing the scenario, he concluded the session in verse 26 by saying, “Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.” and the people said amen in agreement.
One thing to notice there is that in the documentation, the Law (with its terms and conditions) was given to the people, and they agreed to keep the law.
But did they all follow the law? Well, remember, to break one is to break them all.
During Jesus’ humanity, the Jews tried to kill him. In John 7:19, He said to them, “Didn’t Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?”
What is the Curse of the Law?
There is a curse, and there is the curse. The curse of the law is the wages of sin. The wages of sin is death, and so is the curse of the law.
Beside all the outlined offenses, commenced with “cursed”, the end result is death.
Now, the case is not that one is cursed for an offense or two, but that all are guilty of the offenses.
Therefore, the scripture says in Romans 3:23 (WEB), “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 WEB
Christ has Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law
It’s good to know that the Gospel of justification by faith was preached to Abraham (see Galatians 3:8, 9).
Our Beloved brother Paul said, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.’
Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’
The law is not of faith, but, ‘The man who does them will live by them.’
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,’
that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10–14 WEB
While there were and are people today who are of The works of the Law (the legalists and self-righteous), It’s agreed that the people accepted the Law but couldn’t abide by the law. Therefore, no one could be justified by the law before God.
God, through one man, Jesus Christ, met the demands of the law on our behalf through His substitutionary sacrifice on the tree. Indeed, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.
“For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.
But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.” Romans 5:7–9 WEB
The death of Christ Jesus purchased for us redemption from the curse of the law. We have been redeemed through His blood. By faith, we have passed from death to life eternal in Christ Jesus.
To crown it all, we have His Spirit in us, the mark and confirmation that we now belong to God in Christ.
In conclusion, Christ’s resurrection is an assurance that, though we die in this flesh, we live with Him forever. Therefore, let’s walk in Love, giving glory to God.
