Question: If, in the time of moses, the law was so difficult for the Israelites, then how can the laws still be applicable in our day?

Answer: People may say that the law was, or is, difficult. Yet, Scripture itself points to the untruth of that statement. It says in Deuteronomy 30:10-14, “If you obey the LORD your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. 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.”

The Scriptures themselves tell us that G-d has not asked us anything that is too difficult for us to do, and that we are completely capable of obeying His law. It is only self deception that convinces us that it is not possible.

Yes, the laws are applicable as they have always been. Yet, please note that no one is required to actively fulfill all 613 laws, as there is no one on earth that qualifies for all of them. We are each required to keep the ones that apply to us personally, but above all to serve G-d with joy and love. Different laws apply to different people — some of them apply only to kings, others apply only to non-kings; some apply only to men, others apply only to women. Many of them only apply if one can make a sacrifice at the Temple (which is not possible today). Therefore, we are all still under the same standard we have always been under.

The bible asks:

Deuteronomy 10:12-13
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good.”

And again it asks:

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.”?

There is your answer.

Penina Taylor