Systematic Theology (Vol 3) - Hodge - XVI - Chapter 19 (The law) commenced

Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '4. The first commandment'.

My summary
Today Hodge begins examining the law of God.

Firstly, Hodge confines himself to a general discussion of the law by looking at:
(i) the personality of God involved in the idea of law;
(ii) Protestant principles limiting obedience to human laws;
(iii) Christian liberty in matters of indifference;
(iv) scriptural usage of the word 'law';
(v) how the law is revealed (nature and the Word);
(vi) different kinds of laws;
(vii) how far may the laws contained in the Bible be dispensed with;
(viii) when one divine law is superseded by another;
(ix) perfection of the law;
(x) the decalogue as a perfect rule of duty;
(xi) rules of interpretation of the divine law.

Then Hodge prepares to examine the decalogue in greater detail and speaks about its:
(i) division;
(ii) preface (it presents the ground of obligation and special motive for obedience).

What grabbed me
Today's reading was of the usual calibre we expect from Hodge.

But I was surprised to see this comment: 'With regard to those laws which are founded on the permanent relations of men, such as the laws of property, of marriage, and of obedience to parents, they can be set aside by the authority of God. It was not wrong for the Hebrews to spoil the Egyptians or to dispossess the Canaanites, because He whose is the earth and the fulness thereof, authorized those acts. He had a right to take the property of one people and give it to another. The extermination of the idolatrous inhabitants of the promised land at the command of Joshua, was as much an act of God as though it had been effected by pestilence or famine. It was a judicial execution by the Supreme Ruler. In like manner, although marriage as instituted by God was and is an indissoluble covenant between one man and one woman, yet He saw fit to allow, under the Mosaic Law, within certain limitations, both polygamy and divorce. While that permission continued, those things were lawful ; when it was withdrawn, they ceased to be allowable.'

I don't think polygamy was ever 'allowable' in the eyes of God.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '6. The second commandment'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.