When was the law given, and how long was it until Christ?
The law was given around 1,500 B.C., when Moses led Israel out of Egypt, roughly 490–500 years after Abraham’s call out of Ur in 2,000 B.C. From the giving of the law to Israel until the time of Christ at zero was about 1,500 years.
Les explains that Abraham was called out of Ur at 2,000 B.C., and about 500 years later—490 if you want to be exact—Moses led the people out of Egypt, and God gave the law. That places the giving of the law at about 1,500 B.C. From that point until the time of Christ at zero, there were 1,500 years. Les says Israel labored under this yoke of bondage for 1,500 years, and this helps explain their rank unbelief. He also notes that legalism destroys incentive, because people conclude they cannot keep it anyway.