Summary of Book 2 - Chapter 7

The Law Given, Not to Confine the Ancient People to Itself, but to Encourage Their Hope of Salvation in Christ, till the Time of His Coming.

This chapter is one of the most interesting and revealing chapters in this great work so far.
Calvin reiterates the concept that we are nothing apart from God. We are only saved due to the grace, mercy, and love of God. We have an inherent tendency toward evil and any righteousness within us comes from God.

Also, Calvin discusses the Jews and the law. The law was created to guide the Jews, eventually, towards the full salvation (and the only salvation possible) given by Jesus Christ. The Jewish sin sacrifices, blood sacrifices, and burnt offerings merely represented to God that the Jews recognized their sinfulness. In no way, could these expiate them from the curse of their sins. How could placing your sins on another innocent creature, and then sacrificing it, bring redemption? I always viewed this as a barbaric and selfish form of superstition much like Voodoo, and Calvin, I think, agrees. Jesus was probably disgusted to see the continuous animal sacrifices in the temple and the stench of burning flesh. After all, the animals and plants of the earth are God's children also. There is, ultimately, no ritual act that we can perform to obtain redemption and forgiveness for our sins. All we can do is confess our sins to God, surrender to Jesus as Lord of our life, and ask forgiveness for our sins. It is not I who live but Christ who lives within me. We are redeemed and forgiven because of the sacrifice of our Lord at the cross. Our sins were nailed to the cross. Salvation must be experienced every day by our daily taking up of our crosses and taking advantage of the daily opportunities that God gives us to do His will.

Jesus came to end the bloodbath once and for all. He is the final sacrifice. He is the Messiah to end all Messiahs. When Jesus died at the cross, the veil of the temple was rent signaling the end of the old law, covenant, and sacrifices heralding the new law and covenant open to Jew and gentile alike. THE OLD RITUALS ARE DEAD. We obtain eternal life in the free gift of salvation brought by our Lord, Jesus of Nazareth.