YES — it was Israel's promise at Sinai to obey every command God spoke, and Les Feldick identifies that promise as the essence of legalism.
The verse records the people's united answer after Moses laid God's words before them: they would do all the Lord had spoken. Les Feldick explains that this is legalism, because legalism cannot exist without the flesh doing something. The Law demanded action, not merely hearing, and Paul later shows no one is justified by doing the Law.
Exodus 19:8 — This is the verse in question — Israel's united pledge to do all that the Lord had spoken.
Deuteronomy 5:27 — Israel repeats the same commitment, showing the Law's demand that they hear and do.
Romans 3:20 — Paul directly addresses what that law-doing accomplishes: no flesh is justified, only knowledge of sin.
At Mount Sinai, after Moses laid before the people all the words the Lord commanded him, all the people answered together, 'All that the LORD hath spoken we will do' (Exodus 19:8). The same pledge was repeated in Deuteronomy 5:27, where Israel told Moses to hear the Lord and then 'we will hear it, and do it.' Scripture therefore presents this statement as a vow to act on every word God spoke. The Law's standard is doing: 'For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified' (Romans 2:13). Paul also writes of the righteousness of the law, 'That the man which doeth those things shall live by them' (Romans 10:5). Yet he concludes, 'Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin' (Romans 3:20).
Les Feldick says that when Israel answered 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do,' that was legalism. He explains, 'You cannot have legalism without the flesh doing something.' Israel was saying, 'Lord, tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it' (Clip 1). He finds the same emphasis in Deuteronomy 5:27, where Israel again said they would hear and do it—meaning they would act on it (Clip 7). Les clarifies that the Mosaic system was legalism, but it also had to have faith: 'It wasn't faith plus nothing, but their works would never amount to anything if it was without faith' (Clip 2). People under the Law had to do what God said because they believed, but most left faith out and just did works, and God will not accept that. Les also stresses that the Law itself cannot justify: 'By the deeds of the law, the keeping of the Ten Commandments, there shall no flesh be justified' (Romans 3:20). The Law can do nothing to help a person keep it; all it can do is condemn (Clip 5).
Les Feldick points out that in Exodus 19:8 all the people answered together, 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.' He says, 'Now that's legalism. You cannot have legalism without the flesh doing something.' Israel was telling God, 'Tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it' (Clip 1). In Deuteronomy 5:27, Israel again promised, 'we will hear it, and do it,' which Les says means 'we'll act on it' (Clip 7).
Les teaches that the Mosaic system was legalism, but it also had to have faith. He says, 'It wasn't faith plus nothing, but their works would never amount to anything if it was without faith.' Israel had to do the things God said because they believed God said them. But most left the faith element out and just did the works. God will not accept works without faith (Clip 2).
Les explains that the Law cannot justify anyone. By the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified in God's sight; the Law only brings knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). He says the Law 'could do nothing to help that person keep it... All it can do is condemn' (Clip 5). It convicts Jew and Gentile alike (Clips 4 and 5).
Judgment According to Deeds
God will render to every man according to his deeds, showing the standard of judgment that the Law requires.
Israel's Pledge at Sinai
Les identifies the people's answer 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do' as legalism because it requires flesh doing something; Israel promised to do whatever God commanded.
Faith and Works in the Mosaic System
Les explains that Mosaic legalism still required faith; works without faith are not accepted, and most Israelites left out faith.
Law Cannot Make Heirs
The Law was a burden Israel couldn't bear; righteousness did not come through the Law but through the righteousness of faith.
The Law Stops Every Mouth
The Law speaks to all who are under it and makes every mouth stop, showing the whole world guilty before God (Romans 3:19).
The Law Condemns, Not Saves
Les says the Law can only condemn and cannot help anyone keep it; no flesh is justified by deeds of the Law (Romans 3:20).
Deeds of the Law Defined
Paul's 'deeds of the law' refers to keeping the Ten Commandments; no flesh is justified by that keeping.
Israel's Repeat Pledge in Deuteronomy
In Deuteronomy 5:27 Israel again promised to hear and do; Les says this means they would act on it, showing the Law's demand for action.
Exodus 19:8: And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
This is the actual pledge the people made at Sinai, vowing to do everything the Lord commanded.
Deuteronomy 5:27: Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
Israel repeats the commitment, underscoring that the Law was to be heard and acted upon.
Romans 2:13: For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
This verse explains the Law's requirement: doing, not merely hearing.
Romans 3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Paul shows that even though the Law demands doing, doing it cannot justify anyone; it only reveals sin.
Romans 10:5: For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
This verse describes the law-principle: life comes by doing what the Law commands.
It means Israel promised to obey every command God gave through Moses at Mount Sinai. Les Feldick teaches this is the essence of legalism because it required Israel to do the Law in the flesh.
Les says legalism cannot exist without the flesh doing something. Israel was telling God, 'Tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it,' which is exactly the character of legalism.
Yes. Les explains the Mosaic system was legalism but also required faith; works without faith were worthless, and faith without the required actions was not sufficient for a Jew under the Law.
No. Paul writes that by the deeds of the Law no flesh shall be justified; the Law only gives knowledge of sin. Les adds that the Law can do nothing to help a person keep it—all it can do is condemn.
Watch the Teaching: Why Even "Good People" Can't Escape God's Judgment — Romans 2