If you’ve attended many Bible studies, you may have heard someone mention “the law, the prophets, and the writings verse.” Where is that Scripture found in the Bible? God gave detailed instructions on His Law and offered the choice to follow His commandments.
The law, the Prophets and the Writings are the names for the three kinds of works that appear in the Old Testament (sometimes called the Hebrew Bible).
1. The Law. The Law is also called the Torah or the Law of Moses. The Old Testament uses the word “Torah” 220 times. When referring to the Law (both in biblical times and the Law that Jewish people follow today), the word can mean instruction. The Law includes the five books of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). These books provide rules to follow and describe the consequences of breaking the rules.
Moses was given the Law’s central points, the ten commandments, on two stone tablets. The finger of God inscribed these tablets with the commandments. Moses received those tablets on Mount Sinai and later had them placed in the ark of the covenant. These laws were for the benefit of the people, although laws continued to be broken.
The Torah’s description of the ten commandments begins with God speaking: “And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:1-2 NIV). God begins by reminding the people He is Lord and that they should not worship anyone or anything before Him. Each commandment that follows is detailed and for the good of the people.
The New Testament book of Matthew gives what is called The Great Commandment. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the resurrection, trying to test Jesus with His answers. They asked which was the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus’ answer still applies today.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37 NIV)
2. The Prophets. The Bible contains books written by major and minor prophets. A prophet is defined as someone who shares God’s message and speaks the truth. The prophets included Samuel, Elijah, and various people mentioned in the book of Judges and 1 and 2 Kings. Some of the major prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Minor prophets include Joel, Amos, Hosea, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Micah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi, and Zechariah. The Bible also mentions several women who were prophets, like Deborah.
While the prophets’ had a special job, the New Testament reminds us that the prophets were not the most important part of God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20 NIV).
Jesus is the kingdom’s core and invites us all to be his children. Prophets spoke of his coming, and some listened, some didn’t.
3. The Writings. The Writings refers to the Old Testament books that are not considered part of the Law or the writings of the Prophets. This ranges from poetry (the Psalms, Song of Solomon) to books of records (like 1 and 2 Chronicles). Some of these words can feel a bit dry, especially the long lists of ancestors in the Chronicles. However, Timothy reminds us that every word in the Bible is important and useful to furthering the kingdom of God and developing a relationship with God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Not only are each of these Old Testament writings useful for following God. Jesus showed that they were crucial to understanding who He is.
The Gospel of Luke shares the sadness and desperation of the women who took the spices they had prepared to the tomb of Jesus. The surprise and shock of finding the stone rolled away and empty tomb left them wondering what had happened.
Scripture tells that two men dressed in clothing that gleamed like lightning came and stood by the women. Frightened, they put their faces to the ground. What happened next would help them remember the words of Jesus.
“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of the sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” (Luke 24:6-7 NIV)
Next, two men were traveling to the village of Emmaus, which is about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they discussed the empty tomb, a stranger walked alongside them. The men didn’t know they were walking with Jesus.
After Jesus asked what they were discussing, one of the men, Cleopas, inquired if this man was the only one who didn’t know what had happened.
“‘What things?’ He asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.’ Continuing, the men shared how Jesus had been sentenced to death and crucified. They spoke about the hope of Jesus being the one who was going to redeem Israel.
Jesus listened and then spoke. He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27 NIV)
Jesus later appeared to the disciples, who were startled and frightened to see Him. Jesus showed them His hands and feet to show He was not a ghost. Belief didn’t come immediately. So, Jesus asked for food and ate a piece of broiled fish.
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” (Luke 24:44 NIV)
In other areas of Scripture, Jesus talks about fulfilling the Law and the prophets. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that He had not come to abolish the Law or the prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).
The authority of God was evident in the words of Jesus. The Pharisees were not correct in accusing Him of trying to abolish the Law. Jesus shared that God’s Word is everlasting, meant to be fulfilled, and has authority. God’s Word is faithful and trustworthy.
Matthew 21 shares Jesus giving instructions to two disciples. He told them to go to a village and find a donkey tied there, along with her colt. Jesus instructs the disciples to bring the animals to Him. Scripture shares how these actions took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet.
Biblical scholars and historians may have different views on how many prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Yet, Scripture gives insight into some of those prophecies. The OT book of Micah shares how a ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem.
Deuteronomy shares how God would raise a prophet from fellow Israelites.
Isaiah shares how the Messiah would be rejected by His people. In John, Scripture tells how the world didn’t recognize Jesus when He came. Jesus told the disciples that one of them would turn against Him. “After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” (John 13:18-30 NIV)
Scripture tells of prophets, their warnings, and their prophecies. Some spoke of good things to come, while others described desperate times.
The fact Jesus fulfilled the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings reminds us that the Word of God is true, steadfast, and forever. God is active in every moment.
Prophets foretold the birth of Jesus and how He would face trials, disappointment, the unbelief of the people, torture, and death on the cross. Scripture tells how Jesus would rise on the third day and ascend into Heaven to sit on the right of His Father.
Through each word spoken and each action, Jesus showed what would happen. Jesus knew the plan of His Father was best.
By reading and studying the Word of God, we learn that everything Jesus said would happen is true. Although all prophecies have not been fulfilled yet, Christians know the day is coming when Jesus will return.
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
Photo Credit: Getty Images/artisteer
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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