Dispensation of the Law

The Dispensation of the Law followed, strictly the first publicly ordered system of God's dealing with men, and administered by angels. The oracles of God were given to a nation, the only nation in all the earth that God had known in this way (Amos 3:2). It was the dispensation of "Do this and live and be blessed; disobey and be cursed." This dispensation had three phases:
1. About 400 years under the Judges, when God would have been their king, but during which time everyone did that which was right in his own eyes 500 years as a kingdom under royalty.
2. 600 years from the captivity to the coming of Christ. Connected with this was prophetic testimony; the law and the prophets were until John (Luke 16:16).
3. During this Dispensation of Law, the Times of the Gentiles commenced in the political supremacy of Nebuchadnezzar, the head of gold and king of kings (Dan. 2:37, 38). They still run their course, and will continue until the Lord Jesus commences His reign.