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.

Les explains that legalism was the way God mandated to the nation of Israel while it lived under the law. That law was a ministration of condemnation to death; it could only condemn the individual, and if he was condemned, death was the only alternative. The system of law was glorious while it operated in the nation of Israel, but by comparison with grace it is nothing. Grace takes its place, and the ministration of righteousness exceeds in glory. Even so, many today turn their back on grace and say they will 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.

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.