But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

Deuteronomy 30:14 NASB

Does this word from Moses sound familiar to you? This word was given directly from God to you through Moses and then through Paul.

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘ Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 NASB

This word that Moses was given and which Paul repeated is the word of faith.

The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. “Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Deuteronomy 30:5-6 NASB

This promise from God was yet future. And it continues to be until this day.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the (end [see definition**]) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “ Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), But what does it say? “ The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart ”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Romans 10:1-6,8-9 NASB

Theses are the very words of Moses. God sought out and found men of faith in Israel then just as he seeks them today.

So what is the “end” to which Paul speaks and which Christ brings for the law? **Strong’s Definition

From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit that is (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally figuratively or indefinitely] result [immediate ultimate or prophetic] purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): – + continual custom end (-ing) finally uttermost. Compare G5411 .

Christ is the goal of the law. The completion not the end of. One of Thayer’s definitions fits what Christ has done for the Law perfectly. It is:

“the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose”

To say that Christ fulfilled the law is an understatement. He is the law, for the law is the word of God which He, the Christ is. He says not one jot or tittle of the law will pass away. So we know that we cannot keep the law unless: —

“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. The Lord your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. And you shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments which I command you today.

Deuteronomy 30:6-8 NASB

So was the law done away with? The new covenant says no.

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:25-32 NASB

28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Matthew 26:28-29 NASB

“ Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “ I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Jeremiah 31:31-33 NASB

This is the covenant in which all men must be saved in order that the law my be satisfied. Without Christ and His shed blood the law cannot be satisfied. And if the law, wherein all men were condemned to God’s wrath (Orge), is not satisfied on our behalf; then no man can be saved.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

1 Corinthians 15:21-26 NASB

Those in Israel who lived by faith in these promises are still in the Olive tree. We who live by faith in the Son of God who shed His own blood for us, was crucified, died and was buried. Who rose again on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father to ever make intercession for us; we are also in the Olive tree.

• My friend Jon contributed a lot to this article, but didn’t want recognition. Mostly his thoughts, and construct.