God told Moses that Joshua would be leading the Israelites into the promised land. God then charged Moses with the responsibility of teaching the people the laws and statutes that they were to follow. Moses also told the people the reason for the laws. The observance of the laws would show their wisdom and discernment to the peoples of the land. Israel would be renowned for its God and its laws. The Israelites would be known as a people whose God cared for them. This would be very different from the pagan gods.

Jesus shared the Beatitudes with the crowd and with His disciples. He was affirming the Law as given to Moses for the Law was given for the sake of the people. Jesus insisted that there was continuity between the Law and the prophets and His teaching. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and not to abolish it. It is important to remember this when we might feel that the Law is no longer important. In following the teachings of Jesus, we are following the Law, for Jesus is the interpreter of the Law. In Jesus, the Law teaches and produces virtues and beautiful attitudes.