What was the Law like for the people who were under it?
The Law was a burden that rested on the shoulders of those under it. They knew nothing of liberty, only constant fear, because violations like picking up a stick on the Sabbath brought death, not a slap on the wrist. It kept Israel shut up under it 24 hours a day until faith was revealed.
Les explains that the Law functioned as a burden, much like a beast of burden loaded down with commodities. It rested constantly on the people under it, and they knew nothing of liberty—only a constant fear of its penalties. For example, if they picked up a stick on the Sabbath, the result was death, not merely a slap on the wrist. Before the Faith Way, Israel was under this burden 24 hours a day, kept shut up under it until the faith that should afterwards be revealed. Les also notes that Scripture is a progressive revelation: when God gave the Law, He did not tell Israel and the rest of the world that Christ would one day die and send grace. So for 1,500 years they were under the Law until God progressively revealed the doctrines of grace.