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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Nov 1712 min read

What Is the Nature of Divine Law and How Does It Govern Creation?


The concept of law plays an essential role in both secular and spiritual life, shaping human behavior and understanding of the divine order. From a biblical standpoint, the word “law” is primarily associated with the Hebrew word torah, which conveys the idea of teaching, direction, and instruction. In the Greek Scriptures, the word nomos is similarly translated as "law," highlighting the divine structure that God has imposed on the universe and His creation. In this article, we will explore the different kinds of laws God has established—laws governing nature, human behavior, and spiritual life—and how these laws function within the framework of God’s sovereignty.



What Is the Source of All Law?


The Bible clearly identifies Jehovah God as the ultimate Source of all law. As the Supreme Lawgiver, His commands and statutes form the foundation for everything that exists in heaven and on earth. Isaiah 33:22 describes Jehovah as “our judge, our lawgiver, and our king,” emphasizing His sovereignty in matters of law and justice. His throne is established on righteousness and justice, as seen in Psalm 97:2, which states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.”


God's authority extends to all realms of existence, from the heavens above to the earth below. Romans 13:1 affirms that “there is no authority except from God,” and this authority is delegated in various ways, including to human governments and spiritual beings. This divine order ensures that nothing in creation operates independently of God's sovereign will, a truth underscored by Daniel 4:35, which declares that Jehovah “does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.”



How Does God's Law Govern Angels?


The Bible teaches that angels, being higher than humans in creation, are also subject to the law and commandments of God. Hebrews 1:14 refers to angels as “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation,” implying that even these powerful beings are bound by divine laws. Psalm 104:4 similarly describes angels as “his ministers, a flaming fire,” showing that their service is regulated by God's sovereign commands.


One notable instance of angelic obedience to divine law is seen in the account of Michael the archangel's dispute with Satan. In Jude 9, Michael does not take it upon himself to rebuke Satan directly but instead says, “the Lord rebuke you,” demonstrating his recognition of God’s supreme authority as the Judge. Even Satan, although a fallen angel, is subject to divine restrictions. In the book of Job, Jehovah sets clear boundaries for Satan's actions, saying, “Look, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand” (Job 1:12). This illustrates that all spiritual beings, regardless of their allegiance, are under the governance of divine law.


Furthermore, the glorified Jesus Christ has been granted authority over all angels by Jehovah. As Philippians 2:9-11 reveals, God “highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,” including that of every angelic being. Therefore, Jesus exercises authority over both righteous and fallen angels, a truth reinforced by 1 Peter 3:22, where it is stated that angels, authorities, and powers are subjected to Him.



What Is the Law Governing Creation?


Jehovah, as the Creator, has established laws that govern the entire created order, from the physical universe to living beings. These laws reflect the regularity and order of nature, a concept recognized even by human science. For instance, Job 38:33 speaks of “the laws governing the heavens,” referring to the fixed patterns and laws that control the celestial bodies. Similarly, verses such as Job 38:12-13 describe God's authority over the natural world, commanding the morning and placing boundaries on the sea. God's creation is thus governed by laws He has decreed, a fact that the Psalmist acknowledges in Psalm 104:19 when he writes, “  He made the moon for the seasons; the sun knows where it sets.”


In Genesis 1, the creation account reveals that God has embedded laws within nature to ensure the continuity and order of life. Genesis 1:11-12, for example, describes how each plant and tree was created “according to its kind,” a law of reproduction that prevents the possibility of evolutionary change across kinds. This divine decree is reiterated in Genesis 1:24-25, where it is stated that God commanded animals to reproduce “according to their kinds.” This underscores God's meticulous regulation of biological life.


In Psalm 139:13-16, the psalmist reflects on the intricate design of human life, marveling at how Jehovah has established the law of embryonic development. Every stage of life, even from conception, is under the regulation of divine law. As the psalmist observes, “  Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; and in your book they all were written, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16). This recognition of God’s control over the development of life illustrates that no aspect of creation, whether in the heavens, the earth, or living beings, is exempt from His laws.



What Was the Law Given to Adam?


In the Garden of Eden, Jehovah gave Adam and Eve specific laws regarding their role and responsibilities on earth. Genesis 1:28 records the original mandate given to humanity: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” This divine commission reflects God’s intention for humans to act as stewards of His creation, exercising authority over the earth under His guidance.


In addition to these general instructions, Adam was also given a specific prohibition regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:16-17 records Jehovah's command: “From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” This prohibition was a clear expression of God's law, and Adam's failure to obey it resulted in the fall of humanity into sin. Romans 5:14 later identifies Adam as a “transgressor,” underscoring the fact that his disobedience constituted a violation of divine law, with consequences for all humanity.



How Did God's Law Govern the Patriarchs?


Before the Mosaic Law was given, Jehovah’s laws were still in operation through the patriarchal system, where family heads served as representatives of divine authority. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, among others, were bound by the moral and ethical laws revealed by God. Genesis 6:22 highlights Noah's obedience to divine commands when he “did all that God commanded him” in constructing the ark, a task governed by God’s law.


The laws given to the patriarchs were not only binding on them but also reflected in the broader culture of the ancient world. For instance, when Abraham went to Egypt, Pharaoh recognized the wrongness of taking another man's wife, as seen in Genesis 12:14-20. This indicates that certain moral laws were known and respected, even among those who did not worship Jehovah. Similarly, in Genesis 20:2-6, Abimelech, the king of Gerar, refrained from taking Sarah, Abraham's wife, after being warned by God in a dream. These instances reflect that, even before the formal giving of the Law to Israel, divine principles were understood and applied.


The patriarch Abraham is described as having kept Jehovah’s “commands, statutes, and laws” (Genesis 26:5). One notable command given to Abraham was the institution of circumcision, a sign of the covenant between him and Jehovah (Genesis 17:9-14). This law not only distinguished Abraham's descendants but also symbolized their unique relationship with God.



What Was the Law of Moses and Its Purpose?


In 1446 B.C.E., Jehovah gave the Law to the nation of Israel through Moses, inaugurating a formal covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. This Law, often referred to as the Mosaic Law, comprised over 600 commands, including the well-known Ten Commandments. The Law regulated every aspect of Israelite life—moral, civil, ceremonial, and religious—ensuring that the Israelites would live as a holy nation under God’s rule.


The Mosaic Law was given at Mount Sinai, where Jehovah demonstrated His awesome power in a manifestation of thunder, lightning, and smoke (Exodus 19:16-19). Hebrews 12:18-21 describes this scene as one that caused even Moses to tremble with fear, emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion. The Israelites responded to this covenant with a commitment to obey all that Jehovah had spoken (Exodus 24:3-8).


The primary purpose of the Law, as the apostle Paul explains, was to reveal human sinfulness and point to the need for a Savior. Galatians 3:19 says that the Law was “added because of transgressions, until the seed should arrive to whom the promise had been made.” The Law was thus a “tutor” leading to Christ (Galatians 3:24), making it clear that no one could attain righteousness through their own efforts. Romans 3:20 states, “Because by the works of law no flesh will be justified in his sight; for by law comes the accurate knowledge of sin.” The Law showed that all people, including the Israelites, were under sin and in need of the redemption that would come through Jesus Christ.



How Did the Law of Moses Serve as a Shadow of Christ?


The Law of Moses served as a “shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1), pointing forward to the fulfillment of God’s plan in Jesus Christ. Many elements of the Law—such as the sacrificial system, the priesthood, and the tabernacle—were typical representations that foreshadowed the work of Christ. For example, the sacrificial system in the Law emphasized the necessity of atonement for sin, which was ultimately fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 9:23-28).


Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of the Law, stating in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill.” Jesus kept the Law perfectly, something no other human could do. Hebrews 7:26 describes Him as “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners,” making Him the only one capable of offering a perfect sacrifice for sin.


The Law’s function as a shadow is also evident in the way it pointed to the need for a new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34 foretold this new covenant, which would involve the writing of God’s law on the hearts of His people, rather than on tablets of stone. This prophecy was fulfilled through Christ’s mediatorship of the new covenant, as described in Hebrews 8:6-13. Through this new covenant, believers are no longer under the Mosaic Law but are now governed by the “law of the Christ” (Galatians 6:2).



What Is the Law of Christ?


With the coming of Christ, the Law of Moses was fulfilled and brought to an end. At Pentecost 33 C.E., the Law covenant was terminated, as indicated by Hebrews 7:12, which states, “For when the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the Law also.” Christians are now under the “law of Christ,” a law that encompasses the teachings and example of Jesus.


The law of Christ, as summarized in Matthew 22:37-40, is based on love—love for God and love for neighbor. Jesus declared that these two commandments were the foundation of the entire Law and the Prophets. The apostle Paul further emphasized this principle in Galatians 5:14: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”


This law is also referred to as the “perfect law, the law of liberty” in James 1:25, highlighting the freedom that believers now enjoy in Christ. Unlike the Mosaic Law, which was a burden that no one could bear (Acts 15:10), the law of Christ brings freedom through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:2 declares, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Under this new law, believers are empowered by the Spirit to live lives that are pleasing to God, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in their daily conduct (Galatians 5:22-23).



How Does God's Law Relate to Human Conscience?


While the Law of Moses was given specifically to Israel, the Bible also speaks of a “law written in their hearts” for those who were not under the Law. Romans 2:14-15 explains that Gentiles, who do not have the Law, are still “a law to themselves” because their conscience bears witness to moral truths. This natural law reflects the remnants of God’s image in humanity, even after the fall of Adam.


However, the conscience is not always a reliable guide, as it can be corrupted by sin or weakened by ignorance. The apostle Paul speaks of “their conscience being weak” in 1 Corinthians 8:7, warning that a lack of accurate knowledge can lead to wrong decisions. Similarly, 1 Timothy 4:2 describes individuals whose consciences have been “seared as with a branding iron,” indicating that repeated disobedience to conscience can render it insensitive to God’s law.


Nevertheless, for those who are in Christ, the conscience can be purified and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:14 states that the blood of Christ “purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” This renewed conscience helps believers discern right from wrong and live in accordance with the law of Christ.



What Is the Law of Faith?


The “law of faith” is contrasted with the “law of works” in Romans 3:27. Whereas the Law of Moses required strict obedience to a set of commandments, the law of faith is based on trust in the redemptive work of Christ. Salvation is not something that can be earned through human effort but is a gift of grace received by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes this truth, stating, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no man may boast.”


However, this does not mean that faith is devoid of works. James 2:17 makes it clear that “faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.” True faith produces a life of obedience to God’s commands, as believers seek to live out their faith through good works. These works, however, are not the means of salvation but the evidence of genuine faith.



How Does the Law of God Relate to the Law of Sin and Death?


The apostle Paul vividly describes the conflict between the “law of God” and the “law of sin and death” in Romans 7. While the Law of God is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), the sinful nature of humanity is in constant rebellion against it. Paul laments in Romans 7:19-20, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if what I do not want to do, this I am doing, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.”


This internal struggle reflects the reality that, although believers have been freed from the penalty of sin through Christ, they still battle against the presence of sin in their lives. However, the victory over sin is assured through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2-3 proclaims, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what was impossible for the Law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.” Through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are able to overcome the law of sin and live according to the Spirit’s direction.



What Is the Royal Law?


The “royal law” mentioned in James 2:8 refers to the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This law is considered royal because it governs all human relationships and is the basis for the moral teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of this law when He stated that the entire Law and the Prophets depend on the commandments to love God and love one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).


The various laws outlined in Scripture—whether the Law of Moses, the law of Christ, or the law of faith—reveal God's righteous character and His expectations for humanity. Through the study of these laws, believers gain a deeper understanding of God's will and are empowered to live lives that honor Him.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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