The law versus the law sounds a little strange, but it happens more than you think it would throughout the bible. We have King Solomon in Ecclesiastes saying everything is meaningless. Yet, giving what is considered a book of wisdom with proverbs and at the end of Ecclesiastes saying here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Let’s go to a more obvious example of The Law vs. the Law when Jesus argues with the Pharisees. Remember, the Jewish Temple along with Jewish religious requirements of the law was still around at this time. Jesus is proclaiming future judgment on the way the Pharisees have been conducting themselves.
Matthew 12 : 38 – 42 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
The Torah or the Law has 613 commandments. Yet, Jesus said all 613 of these commandments can be summed up in two: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. The two commandments come out of Matthew 22:40. Galatians has it in one.
Galatians 5:15 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Old Testament has all of this in one chapter of one book. Micah 6, read between the lines a little, and hopefully, you will get a picture of what is going on.
Micah 6 starts with God saying, let us have a court case. I am bringing a charge against Israel. The judge is gearing up for judgment.
2 Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. 3 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. 4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. 5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
That you may know the righteous acts of the Lord. Verse 8 goes into this summary of the court case. Even though God mentions Moses. With obvious implications of Israel having received the commandments and laws. (Temple/Tabernacle, sacrifices and offerings reflected in verses 6-7)
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
9 Listen! The Lord is calling to the city and to fear your name is wisdom. Heed the rod and the One who appointed it. 10 Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?
12 Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully. 13 Therefore, I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.