How does the glory of legalism compare with grace, even though God mandated it for Israel?

Although God mandated the law for Israel and it was glorious, its glory is nothing compared with grace. The ministration of condemnation was glorious, but the ministration of righteousness exceeds it in glory, so legalism's glory has no glory by comparison.

Les explains that the law could only condemn the individual, and condemnation meant death. He points out that if the ministration of condemnation was glorious, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. As great as the system of law was while it was operating in the nation of Israel, it is nothing to be compared with the operation of grace. Verse 10 says that what was made glorious has no glory in this respect because of the glory that excels. By comparison, the glory of legalism—the way God mandated to Israel living under the law—is nothing. Les also notes that millions today turn their back on grace, saying they will do their best and keep the commandments.

2 Corinthians 3:10

For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

What was the way God mandated to the nation of Israel living under the law?

The way God mandated to Israel living under the law was legalism, the system of law. It was a ministration of condemnation that could only condemn the individual, with death as the only alternative. Its glory was real, but it cannot compare with the operation of grace.