Why was the Law given to Israel?
The Law was given to Israel so that it might bring the nation to the place where they could recognize their Messiah, believe in Him, and trust Him. Its purpose was to lead them to faith, but they did not respond because of unbelief.
Les explains that the Law was given to bring Israel to the place where they could recognize their Messiah, believe in Him, and trust Him, but they did not. He emphasizes that the root issue was unbelief. Les connects this to Hebrews chapter 3, where Paul repeatedly asks why that generation did not enter the Promised Land and why God was provoked with them. Les notes that God did not hold the golden calf or the gross immorality at Sinai against them as the primary issue, but their unbelief. He traces unbelief through Scripture: Esau's unbelief led him to marry Canaanite women; Ishmael's basic problem was unbelief; Saul's failure compared to David was unbelief, even going to the witch of Endor. Les concludes that all through Scripture mankind refused to believe the Word of God.