BOOK REVIEW
The First Five Books
of
OLD TESTAMENT
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GENESIS
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پیدائش
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EXODUS
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خروج
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LEVITICUS
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احبار
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NUMBERS
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گنتی
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DEUTERONOMY
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استثنا
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Background
The first five books of the
Bible are also known as the books of the law because they contain the laws and
instruction given by the Lord through Moses to the people of Israel Israel Israel
GENESIS
The Book of Beginnings
Author:
Moses, Date: 1450-1410 B.C.
The name Genesis is taken from the Septuagint
(LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
Theme and Purpose
Even a casual
reading of the Book of Genesis reveals the prominence of the theme of blessing
and cursing. For obedience and faith, there is blessing as in the Garden of
Eden, but for disobedience, there is cursing. The entire book turns on this
theme and its antithetical opposite, cursing. But perhaps the main theme is the
choice of a nation through Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant. Through Abraham
God promised to bless the nations (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-21). Genesis reads more like an anthology than a single
composition. The opening chapters provide two not entirely compatible accounts
of how God created the world and mankind.
They resemble the creation myths found in Babylonian
writings, which also recount a story very similar to the one about Noah and his
ark. Genesis describes the time from Creation to the descent of the Children of
Israel to Ancient Egypt. The first chapter of Genesis is about Creation Week,
or the week in which God created the heavens and the earth. God created, in the
following order:
1.The Heavens and the
Earth (Gen 1:1)
2.Light, which he
divided into "Night" and "Day". (Gen 1:3)
3.Heaven (Gen 1:7)
4.Land (Gen 1:9-10)
5.Grass, Herbs, and
Trees (Gen 1:12)
6.The Sun and Moon (Gen
1:16)
7.Whales and
"every living creature that moves" (Gen 1:21)
8.Beasts of the earth
(Gen 1:25) (because beasts don't move, apparently)
9.(Naked) Male and
Female humans! (Gen 1:27)
God is called, “Elohim”
which is plural, when speaking God refers to “we “and “us“. Jews insist it is
just a majestic plural and there is not more than one God. Genesis not only
means ‘beginning’, but it is the book of beginnings. The book of Genesis gives
us our historical point of reference, from which all subsequent revelation
proceeds. In the book of Genesis all the major themes of the Bible have their
origin. It is a book of many beginnings: in it we see the beginning of the
universe, of man and woman, of human sin and the fall of the race, the
beginning of God’s promises of salvation, and the beginning of the nation
Israel as the chosen people of God because of God’s special purpose for them as
the channel for Messiah and Savior. In Genesis we learn about Adam and Eve,
about Satan the tempter, about Noah, the flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
and his brothers. But here we also have the beginning of marriage, family,
work, sin, murder, capitol punishment, sacrifice, races, languages,
civilization, Sabbath and Babylonians. The Bible is the account of God’s
activity in history. According to Bishop James Ussher, Earth is approximately
6,000 years old. (It was created on the evening of October 23, 4004 BCE;
however, I do not agree with this calculation).
Key Chapters
Creation of universe in
Chapter 1. Since the call of Abraham and the promises of blessing to the
nations through his seed is the prominent message of Genesis, the key chapters
are those relating to the Abrahamic covenant and its reiteration, 12:1-3;
15:1-21; 17:1-9.
Key People
Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau,
Jacob, Rachel, Joseph.
Trinity
Regarding
presence of Trinity, I am quoting from my third book خودساختہ نبوت:
بائبل مقدس میں بے شمار جگہوں پر تثلیث کا ذکر موجود ہے لیکن
لفظ تثلیث کا نہ لکھا جانا ہی اعتراض کو بنیاد بخشتا ہے۔میں یہاں ان حوالوں میں سے
چند ایک پیش کرنا چاہو ں گا:با ئبل مقدس کے مطابق دنیا کی ابتدا ہی تثلیث سے ہو ئی
: خدا (باپ) نے ابتدا میں زمین و آ سمان کو پیدا کیا۔ اور زمین ویرا ن اور سنسان
تھی اور گہرا ؤ کے اوپر اندھیرا تھا اورخدا کی رُو ح (رُو ح القدس ) پا نی کی سطح
پر جنبش کر تی تھی ۔اور خدا نے کہا(خدا کاکلمہ مسیح) ، رو شنی ہو جا اور رو شنی ہو
گئی۔ (بمطا بق پیدا ئش ۱:۱۔۳) بائبل مقدس کی
پہلی تین آ یا ت ہی تثلیث کے تینو ں اقا نیم کو ثا بت کرتی ہیں ۔یہا ں خدا
با پ پہلے خود ہے پھر رُو ح القدس سا تھ ہے اور
پھر اپنے کلمے یعنی یسوع مسیح کے سا تھ ہے ۔ کتنی خو بصو رت ابتدا ہے بائبل مقدس
کی اور اس جہا ن کی۔ کیاآ ج سے پہلے آپ نے ان آ یا ت پر اس طرح غو رکیا تھا ؟
عہد نا مہ عتیق و جدید دو نو ں میں با رہا ان تینو ں شخصیات
کا ذکر آ تا ہے ۔ با ئبل مقدس سے ایک بڑی دلچسپ آ یت پیش کر نا چا ہو ں گا : ‘‘ اور
خداوند نے کہا کہ دیکھو انسا ن نیک و بد کی پہچان میں ہم میں سے ایک کی ما نند ہو
گیا۔ْ ‘‘ (پیدا ئش ۳:۲۲)۔جب انسا ن کی تخلیق کا ذکر ہوا تب
بھی جمع صیغہ استعمال ہوا :’ ’پھر خدا نے کہا کہ ہم انسا ن کو اپنی صو رت پر اپنی
شبیہ کی ما نند بنا ئیں۔ْ ’ ’ (پیدا ئش ۱:۲۶)۔ یہا ں جمع صیغہ سے مرا د خدا خود، یسو ع مسیح اور رُو ح القدس ہے جبکہ یہ
کہتے ہیں یہاں خدا فرشتوں سے مخاطب ہے ، بھلا خدا کا فرشتوں سے صلاح لینا بنتا ہے؟
Christ as Seen in
Genesis
Prophetically: Immediately after the fall, the promise of salvation
is given in the seed of the woman (3:15), but then the Messianic links are made
clear throughout Genesis: the line of Seth (4:25), the offspring of Shem
(9:26), the family of Abraham (12:3), the seed of Isaac (26:3), the sons of
Jacob (46:3), and the tribe of Judah
Typologically:
There are several key types that portray the Savior in Genesis:
(1) Adam is a type of Christ (Rom. 5:14). As
Adam is the head of the old creation, so Christ is the head of the new
spiritual creation.
(2) Abel’s offering of a blood sacrifice points
to Christ who would die for us. Abel’s murder by Cain may also illustrate
Christ’s death.
(3) Melchizedek is also a type of Christ (see Heb.
7:3).
(4) Joseph, who was loved dearly by his father,
betrayed by his brothers, and yet became the means of their deliverance
typifies Christ.
Outline
The book easily falls into two major sections: Four
Events and Four People
I. Four Events (Gen. 1-11).
A. The creation of the world and man (1-2)
B. The corruption of man, the fall (3-5)
C. The destruction of man, the flood (6-9)
D. The dispersion of man, the nations (10-11)
II. Four People: election of a nation and preparation
for redeemer (Gen. 12-50)
A. Abraham (the father of faith and of the nation Israel
B. Isaac (the beloved son of promise) (24-26)
C. Jacob (scheming and chastening) (27-36)
D. Joseph (suffering and glory) (37-50)
Textual Summary
The Garden of Eden
Somewhat confusingly, a second creation begins in chapter
two, with God then creating Adam out of a pile of dust, and breathing into his
nostrils to induce life (Gen 2:7). God then put Adam in the Garden of Eden,
which was probably in Mesopotamia (four rivers flowed through the garden,
including the Euphrates ). He told Adam not to
eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This, of course, then raises
the question as to why the tree was even there in the first place. God then
made a woman called Eve out of Adam's rib.
Next, the serpent came and told Eve to eat the fruit from
the Tree of Knowledge. Eve obliged, and gave the fruit to Adam. He ate it, and
they committed the original sin. God got really mad, and evicted Adam and Eve
(Gen 2:24).
The Fall
There is a whole theology concerning the "Fall"
of man that is bound up with the Genesis stories of patriarchs who lived to be
seven, eight, even nine hundred years of age. By the time Abraham rolled
around, the life spans had fallen to 175 years. His grandson Jacob lived to be
only 147. Moses died at the shockingly young age of only 120. So it is assumed
that Adam and Eve were immortal until they sinned, and the longer history rolls
on from that point the shorter, on average, human life spans became as the
curse of sin corrupted man.
But a very careful reading of Genesis presents something
that seems to have been missed, or glossed over. In Genesis 3:22-23 we read,
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know
good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree
of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from
the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Very
simply, Adam and Eve were not and never were immortal, and God sent them out of
the garden to prevent them from eating of the tree of life and becoming so.
Cain and Abel
Adam and Eve proceeded to get busy, and produced Cain, and
then Abel. Cain became a farmer, while Abel became a shepherd. Both of them
offered sacrifices to God - Cain offered what he'd grown on his fields, while
Abel slew a lamb. God accepted Abel's offering, but rejected Cain's, presumably
because the latter did not contain blood. From now on, blood fetish will be a
recurring theme. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy in the wheat field. Cain was
exiled, and founded the city of Enoch in the land of Nod
Noah's Ark
Adam had a lot of kids. Most of them lived for between 800
and 1000 years. An insane amount of incest must then have occurred. Noah came
ten generations later, and because every human being on earth except for Noah
and his family were wicked, God told him to build an Ark. Ark.
After this, Noah planted some grapes and got drunk. Ham
(one of his sons) came along and found him drunk, naked, and sleeping. For some
reason, Noah then put a curse on Ham's son Canaan ,
making him and all his descendants slaves of Ham's brother Shem and Japheth.
Some fundamentalists believe this that means Ham was the father of all black
people, and use this as justification for the slavery of black people. In Nepal
The Tower
of Babel
Four generations after the flood, Noah's descendants tried
to build a tower that could reach Heaven. God responded by confusing the
languages of all of the workers, and destroying the tower.
Abraham
Abraham is among the most influential persons mentioned in
the Bible. He travelled to the land
of Canaan Egypt
Next comes the "hottest" part of Genesis, the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom named Lot . Also,
the city dwellers had sort of wanted to rape Lot 's
guests, who were actually angels.
As an extremely considerate and self-sacrificial gesture,
the merciful and generous Lot offered to save
them from such a horrible sin by selflessly offering his own virgin daughters
to be raped instead, but they were too perverted to accept any reasonable and
godly solution. Lot took the good people in
the city—him, his family, and the two guests–out of the city before God
destroyed it. Lot 's wife made the mistake of
looking back at the destruction, and was turned into a pillar of salt. Then, Lot 's daughters seemed to think that the world had ended
and attempt to repopulate the world by seducing their dad while he's drunk.
Isaac
Abraham was married to a woman named Sarah who was
infertile. So, he instead had a son with Sarah's slave named Hagar and in those
days the kid was considered legitimate. However, Sarah hated this kid named
Ishmael and kicked Hagar and her son out of their camp and Arab people claim
their lineage from him. Eventually Sarah had a baby boy named Isaac. God told
Abraham to sacrifice Isaac at the top of the mountain for no reason. Abraham
obeyed and brought Isaac to the mountain, and as he was plunging the knife
toward his son an angel swooped down and grabbed his hand. This angel then told
Abraham that God was just "testing" him. A ram then conveniently
appears out of nowhere, and Isaac sacrifices the ram instead.
Jacob
Isaac had two sons - Esau and Jacob. Esau was big and strong,
hairy, and the first born, Jacob was cunning and weak and the second born,
hence Esau was supposed to inherit his father's estate and blessings. Too bad
for Esau, the old man was blind and Rebecca, their mom, liked Jacob better, so
Jacob cooked up some soup and gave it to his older brother in exchange for the
birthright. Then, Jacob strapped some wool on his arms and fooled his dad into
blessing him as the first born. God seemed to tacitly approve of this, and
armed with his brother's birthright Jacob set off to find a wife.
Jacob eventually met a nice girl named Rachel and wanted to
marry her, but it turned out he was dirt poor and her dad, Laban, made him work
as a slave for 7 years to get her hand. Karma must have caught up with Jacob
because on his wedding night he got hitched to Rachel's older sister Leah. So,
Jacob went back to work for another 7 years and finally got married to the
right girl.
Leah was Rachel's older sister. Jacob thought Rachel was
more beautiful, and just wanted her, but he was tricked into marrying Leah in
order to get Rachel too. Jacob always loved Rachel more. Yahweh compensated by
closing Rachel's womb for many years and making Leah as fertile as a bunny.
Rachel and Leah were not only Jacob's wives; they shared grandparents with him,
making them first cousins. This wasn't a problem, because Jacob's mother and
father shared a grandparent and great-grandparent, making them first cousins
once removed. Jacob's family tree forked, but only with one another.
He also picked up his wives' handmaidens Bilhah and Zilpah
as concubines. As a result, they have a happy family of 13 kids: sons Reuben,
Simeon, Levi , Judah Israel
Tamar
The story of Tamar is one of those overlooked corners of
Genesis. It is a story about a very strong woman. Essentially, Tamar was a
proto-Ruth, but more edgy. She was a Canaanite woman who nonetheless became an
ancestor of Jesus Christ and the mother of an heir of the Blessing. She was
married to Er, the firstborn son of Judah, But Er disobeyed Lord, and God had
him whacked.
Then by Hebrew law, the second son Onan was required to
marry her, which he did. But he wasn't pleased with the thought of just being a
stud for Tamar, so at the height of his passion he withdrew from her and let
his seed spill on the ground. Judah Judah Judah Judah
Joseph
Joseph, the second youngest was his dad's favourite, and,
as documented in the musical, got a special rainbow-coloured coat. His older
brothers didn't like this, so they did what most other envious siblings would
do; they sold him into slavery in Egypt Egypt
The Pharaoh kept having this dream where there were seven
fat cows that come out of the Nile and are
eaten by seven thin cows. Pharaoh's priests couldn't figure out what it meant,
but God, working through Joseph told the Pharaoh that there would be seven
years of surplus grain followed by a seven year famine throughout the Middle East . The Pharaoh realized the opportunity, and
ordered all the farmers to give half of their surplus grain to the state to
stock up for the famine—Joseph turned out to be correct.
The famine eventually hit Joseph's family back home in
Canaan who came to Egypt Egypt and the Israelites decided that Egypt
That is all we have for the Book of Genesis.
Exodus
The Book of Redemption
Author:
Moses, Date: 1450-1410 B.C.
“Exodus” is a Latin word
derived from the Greek exodos, the name given to the book by those who
translated it into the Greek Septuagint (LXX). The word means “exit,”
“departure.”
Theme and Purpose
Two themes prevail in
Exodus: Redemption as pictured in the Passover and deliverance from the bondage
of Egypt as seen in the
Exodus out of Egypt and
crossing the Red Sea . After nearly four
hundreds years of growth in Egypt ,
Exodus continues the history of God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel , and describes their deliverance out of Egypt land of Canaan
Once the people had crossed
the Red Sea and arrived in the wilderness or
desert, God gave them His righteous law and declared that they were a treasured
possession to Him and were to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation as a
testimony to the nations (Ex. 19:4-7). This holy law, including the Ten
Commandments, demonstrated God’s holiness, taught them how to love God and one
another, but in the process, it also demonstrated how all fall short of the
holiness of God and need a way of access to God that provides forgiveness. This
was provided for in the tabernacle, the sacrifices, and the levitical
priesthood.
Key Chapters
Chapters 12-14 record the
redemption of Israel from
slavery in fulfillment of God’s promises; delivered from slavery by blood (the
Passover lamb) and by power (the parting of the Red Sea ).
Key People
Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Pharaoh.
CHRIST
AS SEEN IN EXODUS
While Exodus contains no direct prophecy of Christ, there
are a number of beautiful types of the Savior.
(1) In many ways, Moses is a type of Christ. Deuteronomy
18:15 shows that Moses, as a prophet, anticipates Christ. Both are
kinsman-redeemers who were endangered in infancy, renounced their power to
serve others, and functioned as mediators, lawgivers, and deliverers.
(2) The Passover is a very specific type of Christ as
the sinless Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36; 1 Cor. 5:7).
(3) The Seven Feasts, each of which portray some
aspect of the Savior.
(4) The Exodus, which Paul connects with baptism,
pictures our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection
(1 Cor. 10:1-2; Rom.
(5) The Manna and Water are both portrayed as
pictures of Christ (John 6:31-35, 48-63; 1 Cor. 10:3-4).
(6) The Tabernacle portrays the Savior in its
material, colors, furniture, arrangement, and the offerings sacrificed there (Heb.
9:1-10:18).
(7) The High Priest quite clearly foreshadows
the person and ministry of Christ (Heb. 4:14-16; 9:11-12, 24-28).
Outline
Exodus easily divides into two sections: Redemption
and Revelation
I. Redemption From Egypt
A. In Bondage (Subjection) (1-12)
B. Out of Bondage (Redemption by blood and power)
(12-14)
C. Journeying to Sinai (Education) (15-18)
II. Revelation From God (19-40)
A. The Giving of the Law (19-24)
B. The Institution of the Tabernacle (25-31)
C. The Breaking of the Law (32-34)
D. The Construction of the Tabernacle (35-40)
Textual Summary
Moses
The sons of Israel Egypt Nile .
Moses is born, gets put carefully in an ark near the riverbank,
and is found by Pharaoh's daughter, who wants to keep him. Moses' sister,
watching, offers Moses' mother as a nurse, so the mother gets to raise Moses
anyway. When Moses is grown, Pharaoh's daughter gets him. One day Moses sees an
Egyptian striking a Hebrew, and Moses intervenes and kills the Egyptian. The
next day he sees two Hebrews struggling, and tries to intervene, but he
discovers that his murder of yesterday is known. So Moses flees to Midian. In
Midian he befriends and then marries a daughter of the priest of Midian; they
have Gershom, a son.
Burning Bush
God hears the complaints of Israel Israel to the area of Canaan out of Egypt Israel , God's firstborn, out of Egypt Egypt
Moses and Aaron give Pharaoh the message. But Pharaoh
doesn't believe them or care about God, and instead thinks the Hebrews are
trying to slack off from making bricks. So Pharaoh makes it even harder; the
Hebrews have to find their own straw for bricks, but their quotas remain as
high as ever. The Israelites get mad at Moses for this, and Moses complains to
God. God tells Moses to reassure the Israelites, giving him the words to say,
but when Moses says them, the people are too discouraged to believe him. Moses
takes this as proof of his bad oratorical skills. Then there is a genealogy
leading up to Moses, and a reminder that Moses had complained of his bad
oratorical skills from the start.
God reassures Moses again, and says that He will let
Pharaoh's heart remain obstinate in failing to let the Israelites go. God has
Moses and Aaron do the rod/snake sign, which doesn't mean much to Pharaoh,
because his magicians can do it as a trick. Ditto the river/blood sign. The
river becomes putrid for a week.
Plagues
The plagues, which mostly affect only the Egyptians, and
Pharaoh promises to let the people go, giving more ground each time, and then
reneges once the plague is over: frogs; gnats; flies; livestock plague; boils;
deadly hail; locusts; death of the firstborn son. The Hebrews are to perform a
special Passover ritual regarding the final plague. Pharaoh comes to know the
power of God, though he seems not to accept the implications. Finally, once
Pharaoh's son is killed, he drives Israel
Exodus
God institutes some practices: Israel
must sanctify to God every male firstborn of both man and beast; Israel Israel
leaves Egypt Israel
God tells Moses to make sure the Israelites seem like they
are wandering aimlessly, and that He will let Pharaoh become obstinate against
them again. Pharaoh hears of the wandering, and so he and a lot of Egyptians go
out to retrieve the Israelites. Israel Egypt Israel
proceeds through and Egypt
follows, but God makes Egypt Israel
Wandering
They leave Elim and come to the wilderness of Sin. The
people complain of hunger. God rains down manna for the people to eat. They at
first don't know they're supposed to eat it, so Moses must tell them to eat it.
They each eat their share. They are to pick and eat only a day's worth, except
to pick double on the sixth day, so as not to pick on the seventh day. The
people don't follow the rule, which angers God. God repeats that they are to
observe strict gathering practices, and then the people start to observe the
sabbath. Moses and Aaron take one day's worth of manna and put it in a jar as a
permanent commemoration. The manna is provided for forty years until Israel gets to Canaan .
The people come to Rephidim, and complain of thirst. God
directs Moses to use his magic rod to strike a rock so that water will come
forth. The Amalekites come to fight Israel ,
presumably because Israel Israel
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, hears that Moses is nearby.
He visits Moses and Moses tells the whole story about what has happened since
he left Jethro. Jethro learns that God is the greatest. The next day, Moses
spends the whole day as a judge for Israel Israel
Ten Commandments
The people are afraid of God and glad to have Moses as
mediator. God calls for a burnt offering and gives directions about how to
build a stone altar. God gives the Ten Commandments as:
1.
You shall have no other gods before me.
2.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form
of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord
your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents
to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a
thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
3.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone
guiltless who misuses his name.
4.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do
all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you
shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or
female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For
in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is
in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the
Sabbath day and made it holy.
5.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving
you.
6.
You shall not murder.
7.
You shall not commit adultery.
8.
You shall not steal.
9.
You shall not give false testimony against your
neighbor.
10.
You shall not covet
your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or
female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
God gives specific laws regarding: the period of slavery
and what should happen if a slave marries and has children; what happens when a
daughter is sold as a slave; what happens when someone hits someone else, and
if the person dies or does not die; kidnapping; calling down evil on one's
parents or God; quarrelling and injury and compensation; what happens when
someone's property (a bull, e.g.) causes damage or death; falling into a pit;
stealing; overgrazing; fires; loans of money and property; unnatural acts of
magic and sex; sacrificing to false gods; treating strangers; treating widows
and orphans; giving of one's abundance and of one's firstborn son; standing by
truth and justice even against the crowd; lying; bribery; dealing with the
poor; eating practices; and celebration of festivals. God promises good things
to Israel if they will
follow God and His laws and His angel; he will protect Israel Israel
The people agree to follow the laws, and Moses writes them
down. Israel
God gives very specific instructions about building the Ark Israel Israel
will continue to know that God brought them out of Egypt
God continues with more instructions. There is to be an
altar, and Aaron will use it; he will make a yearly atonement on it. Also, upon
every census, each person must pay an equal census tax, whether rich or poor;
this money will go to the service of the tent of meeting. Also there is to be a
basin for washing of hands and feet before entering the tent. Also there are to
be special perfumes for use as anointing oil and as incense.
God tells Moses that He will fill Bezalel with the spirit
of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of craftsmanship, so
that all these things can be built. Ditto Oholiab. God repeats that the
sabbaths are to be kept; any profaner of it is to be put to death. God then
gives Moses two tablets of the Testimony, written on by God.
The people get impatient while Moses is on Mount Sinai, so
they get Aaron to form the golden calf to be a substitute god, as though the
calf was the one who brought Israel
out of Egypt Israel Israel
God tells Moses that the people should get on their way,
and that the promised land is still to be gained, if God doesn't exterminate
them on the way. But the people are afraid, so Moses goes back up Mt. Sinai
God gives Moses two more tablets to replace the first two.
God declares his own great attributes to Moses, and speaks about truth, justice
and mercy, and other things. God promises to do great things for Israel Israel
is to have nothing to do with the six peoples being driven out of Canaan . God also repeats several of the commands and
makes sure Moses writes them down. Moses remains in conversation with God for
forty days. When he comes down this time, the people see that Moses does not
know that his face shines. Moses then covers his face in public and only lifts
the veil when he speaks with God.
Following the Law
Moses repeats the command about the Sabbath, to the people.
He also takes up a contribution for the tabernacle and other stuff. Everybody
voluntarily gives all kinds of stuff, more than what is needed, and Bezalel and
Oholiab get to work. They make all the stuff to the exact specifications which
God had commanded Moses.
God tells Moses to set up and use the tabernacle and stuff
on the first day of the New Year. When the time comes, Moses does exactly as
God had told him. God comes and fills the tabernacle with His glory. The people
pay close attention, because they are following the cloud of glory. When the
cloud is in the tabernacle, they stay put; when it lifts and moves, they break
camp and go on to the next stage of their journey.
LEVITICUS
The Book of Holiness
Author:
Moses, Date: 1450-1410 B.C.
Leviticus receives its name
from the Septuagint and means “relating to the Levites.” The Levites were the
priests who were chosen of God to minister to the nation. The book of Leviticus
contains many of the laws given by God to direct them in their work as priests
for the worship of God.
Theme and Purpose
Leviticus 11:45 says, “Be
holy, because I am holy.” The directives given in the book of Leviticus showed Israel Israel
Key Chapters
Chapter 16 deals with the
Day of Atonement, which became the most important day in the Hebrew calendar
because it was the only day the high priest was allowed to enter into the Holy
of Holies in order to make atonement for the people. “… for it is on this day
that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you shall be clean from
all your sins before the Lord” (16:30).
Key People
Moses and Aaron.
CHRIST
AS SEEN IN LEVITICUS
Similar to Exodus, a number of types of Christ are
evident in Leviticus.
(1) The Five Offerings all typify the person
and work of Christ in His sinless life, submission to the Father that we might
have fellowship with God.
(2) The High Priest as mentioned above is a
very prominent type of Christ in Leviticus.
(3) The Seven Feasts, again, as mentioned, also
form a type of the Savior.
Outline
Leviticus falls into two clear divisions: Sacrifice
and Sanctification
I. Sacrifice (1-17)
A. The Laws of Sacrifice for Approach to God (1-7)
B. The Laws of the Priests (8-10)
C. The Laws Regarding Purity (11-15)
D. The Laws of National Atonement (16-17)
II. Sanctification (18-27)
A. The Laws of Sanctification for God’s People (18-20)
B. The Laws of Sanctification for God’s Priests
(21-22)
C. The Laws of Sanctification in Worship (23-24)
D. The Laws of Sanctification in the Land of Canaan
E. The Laws of Sanctification and Vows (27)
Textual Summary
Chapters 1–5
describe the various sacrifices from the sacrificers' point of view, although
the priests are essential for handling the blood. Chapters 6–7 go over much the
same ground, but from the point of view of the priest, who, as the one actually
carrying out the sacrifice and dividing the "portions", needs to know
how this is to be done. Sacrifices are to be divided between God, the priest,
and the one offerer, although in some cases the entire sacrifice is a single
portion consigned to God—i.e., burnt to ashes.
Chapters 7–10
describe the consecration (by Moses) of Aaron and his sons as the first
priests, the first sacrifices, and God's destruction of two of Aaron's sons for
ritual offenses. The purpose is to underline the character of altar priesthood
(i.e., those priests empowered to offer sacrifices to God) as an Aaronite
privilege, and the restrictions on their position.
With sacrifice
and priesthood established, chapters 11–15 instruct the lay people on purity
(or cleanliness). Eating certain animals produces uncleanliness, as does giving
birth; certain skin diseases (but not all) are unclean, as are certain
conditions affecting walls and clothing (mildew and similar conditions); and
genital discharges, including female menses and male gonorrhea, are unclean.
The reasoning behind the food rules are obscure; for the rest the guiding
principle seems to be that all these conditions involve a loss of "life
force", usually but not always blood.
Leviticus 16
concerns the Day of Atonement. This is the only day on which the High Priest is
to enter the holiest part of the sanctuary, the holy of holies. He is to
sacrifice a bull for the sins of the priests, and a goat for the sins of the
laypeople. A third goat is to be sent into the desert to "Azazel",
bearing the sins of the whole people. Azazel may be a wilderness-demon, but its
identity is mysterious.
Chapters 17–26
are the Holiness code. It begins with a prohibition on all slaughter of animals
outside the Temple
Composition
The entire book
of Leviticus is composed of Priestly literature. Most scholars see chapters 1–16
(the Priestly code) and chapters 17–26 (the Holiness code) as the work of two
related schools, but while the Holiness material employs the same technical
terms as the Priestly code, it broadens their meaning from pure ritual to the
theological and moral, turning the ritual of the Priestly code into a model for
the relationship of Israel to God: as the tabernacle is made holy by the
presence of the Lord and kept apart from uncleanliness, so He will dwell among
Israel when Israel is purified (made holy) and separated from other peoples.
The ritual
instructions in the Priestly code apparently grew from priests giving
instruction and answering questions about ritual matters; the Holiness code (or
H) used to be regarded as a separate document later incorporated into
Leviticus, but it seems better to think of the Holiness authors as editors who
worked with the Priestly code and actually produced Leviticus as we now have
it.
Sacrifice
The Priestly
theology of sacrifice begins with the Creation, when humankind is not given
permission to eat meat (Genesis 1:26–30); after the Flood God gives permission
to men to slaughter animals and eat their meat, but the animals are to be
offered as sacrifices (Genesis 9:3–4). Sacrifice is in a sense a gift
(offering) to God, but also involves the transfer of the offering from the
everyday to the sacred; those who eat meat are eating a sanctified meal, and
God's share in this is the "pleasing odour" released as the offering
(incense or meat) is burnt.
In Leviticus,
sacrifice is to be offered only by priests. This does not conform to the
picture given elsewhere in the bible, where sacrifices are offered by a wide
range of people (e.g. Manoah the judge, Samuel and Elijah the prophets, and
kings Saul, David and Solomon, none of whom are priests) and the general
impression is that any head of family could make a sacrifice. Most of these
sacrifices are burnt offerings, and there is no mention of sin offerings. For
these reasons there is a widespread scholarly view that the sacrificial rules
of Leviticus 1–16 were introduced after the Babylonian exile, when
circumstances allowed the priestly writers to describe the rituals so as to
express their worldview of an idealised Israel
Priesthood
The main
function of the priests is service at the altar, and only the sons of Aaron are
priests in the full sense. Ezekiel also distinguishes between altar-priests and
lower Levites, but in Ezekiel the altar-priests are called sons of Zadok
instead of sons of Aaron; many scholars see this as a remnant of struggles
between different priestly factions in First Temple times, resolved by the
Second Temple into a hierarchy of Aaronite altar-priests and lower-level
Levites, including singers, gatekeepers and the like.
In chapter 10,
God kills Nadab and Abihu, the oldest sons of Aaron, for offering "strange
incense". Fortunately, Aaron has two sons left. Commentators have read
various messages in the incident: a reflection of struggles between priestly
factions in the post–Exilic period (Gerstenberger); or a warning against
offering incense outside the Temple
Uncleanliness
and Purity
Ritual purity is
essential for an Israelite to be able to approach God and remain part of the
community. Uncleanliness offends holiness; Chapters 11–15 review the various
causes of uncleanliness and describe the rituals which will restore
cleanliness; cleanliness is to be maintained through observation of the rules
on sexual behaviour, family relations, land ownership, worship, sacrifice, and
observance of holy days. Yahweh dwells with Israel
Atonement
Through
sacrifice the priest "makes atonement" for sin and the offerer is
forgiven (but only if God accepts the sacrifice—forgiveness comes only from
God). Atonement rituals involve blood, poured or sprinkled, as the symbol of
the life of the victim: the blood has the power to wipe out or absorb the sin.
The role of atonement is reflected structurally in two-part division of the book:
chapters 1–16 call for the establishment of the institution for atonement, and
chapters 17–27 call for the life of the atoned community in holiness.
Holiness
The consistent
theme of chapters 17–26 is the repeated phrase, "Be holy, for I the Lord
your God am holy." Holiness in ancient Israel Israel
The need for
holiness is directed to the possession of the Promised Land (Canaan), where the
Jews will become a holy people: "You shall not do as they do in the land
of Egypt where you dwelt, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan
to which I am bringing you...You shall do my ordinances and keep my
statutes...I am the Lord, your God" (Ch. 18:3).
NUMBERS
Wilderness Wanderings
Author:
Moses, Date: 1450-1410 B.C.
Numbers gets its name from
the two accounts in chapters 1 and 26 of the numbering or counting of the
people of Israel first at
Mount Sinai and second on the plains of Moab
Theme and Purpose
Though Numbers gets its name
from the numbering of the people, it is primarily concerned with nearly 40
years of wandering in the desert. A journey which should have only lasted
eleven days became a 38-year agony of defeat simply because of the disbelief
and disobedience of the people. Numbers, then, shows the consequence of failing
to mix faith with the promises of God (see Heb. 3:16-4:2). Further, Numbers
teaches us that while life does have its wilderness experiences; God’s people
do not have to stay in those conditions. Joshua will illustrate this later.
Another important theme
shown throughout the book of Numbers is found in God’s continual care for his
people. Over and over again, regardless of their rebellion and unbelief, He
miraculously supplied their needs. He provided them with water, manna, and
quail. He continued to love and forgive the people even when they complained,
grumbled, and rebelled against Him.
Key Chapters
Chapters 13-14 stand as the
key chapters because these chapters record a critical turning point for the
nation. Here, at Kadesh-Barnea (32:8), after receiving the evil report from 10
of the 12 spies whom Moses sent to spy out the land, with the exception of
Joshua and Caleb Israel focused on the giants in the land, failed to believe
God, and refused to enter to possess and conquer the land, a Land that flowed
with milk and honey.
Key People
Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, Caleb, Balak.
CHRIST
AS SEEN IN NUMBERS
(1) Perhaps no place is there a clearer portrait of
Christ and His crucifixion than in the serpent lifted up on the standard
(cf. Num. 21:4-9 with John 3:14).
(2) The rock that quenched the thirst of
the people is a type of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).
(3) The daily manna pictures Christ as the
bread come down from heaven (John 6:31-33).
(4) The pillar of cloud and fire portray
the guidance of Christ and the cities of refuge certainly portray Christ as our
refuge from judgment.
(5) Finally, the red heifer is also a type of
Christ (ch. 19).
Outline
Numbers divides into three sections: Preparation at
Sinai, Failure of the Old Generation, and Preparation of the New Generation.
I. Preparation at Sinai (Old Generation) (1-10)
A. The Position and Numbering of the People (1-4)
B. The Precepts of God and Sanctification of the
People (5:1-9:14)
C. The Pilgrimage Toward the Promised Land
(9:15-10:36)
II. Failure of the Old Generation (11-25)
A. Discontent Along the Way (11-12)
B. Disbelief at Kadesh-Barnea (13-14)
C. Discipline from the Lord (15-25)
III. Preparation of the New Generation (26-36)
A. Reorganization of Israel
B. Regulation of Offerings and Vows (28-30)
C. Regionalization of the Land (31-36)
Textual Summary
Numbers begins at Mount Sinai , where
the Israelites have received their laws and covenant from God and God has taken
up residence among them in the sanctuary. The task before them is to take
possession of the Promised Land. The people are numbered and preparations are
made for resuming their march. The Israelites begin the journey, but they
"murmur" (complain) at the hardships along the way, and about the
authority of Moses and Aaron. For these acts, God destroys approximately 15,000
of them through various means. They arrive at the borders of Canaan and send
spies into the land, but upon hearing the spies' falsified report concerning
the conditions in Canaan the Israelites refuse
to take possession of it, and God condemns them to death in the wilderness
until a new generation can grow up and carry out the task. The book ends with
the new generation of Israelites in the plain of Moab ready for the crossing of
the Jordan River .
Numbers is the culmination of the story of Israel 's
exodus from oppression in Egypt
and their journey to take possession of the land God promised their fathers. As
such it draws to a conclusion the themes introduced in Genesis and played out
in Exodus and Leviticus: God has promised the Israelites that they shall become
a great (i.e. numerous) nation, that they will have a special relationship with
Yahweh their god, and that they shall take possession of the land of Canaan.
Against this, Numbers also demonstrates the importance of holiness,
faithfulness and trust: despite God's presence and his priests, Israel
lacks faith and the possession of the land is left to a new generation.
God orders Moses, in the wilderness of Sinai, to number those able to
bear arms—of all the men "from twenty years old and upward," and to
appoint princes over each tribe. 603,550 Israelites are found to be fit for
military service. In chapter 26, a generation later and after approximately
forty years of wandering the desert, the Lord orders a second census. 601,730
men are counted.
The tribe of Levi is exempted from military service and therefore not
included in the census totals. Moses consecrates the Levites for the service of
the Tabernacle in the place of the first-born sons, who hitherto had performed
that service. The Levites are divided into three families, the Gershonites, the
Kohathites, and the Merarites, each under a chief, and all headed by one
priest, Eleazar, son of Aaron. Preparations are then made for resuming the
march to the Promised Land. Various ordinances and laws are decreed.
The first journey of the Israelites after the Tabernacle had been
constructed is commenced. The people murmur against God and are punished by
fire; Moses complains of the stubbornness of the Israelites and is ordered to
choose seventy elders to assist him in the government of the people. Miriam and
Aaron insult Moses at Hazeroth, which angers God; Miriam is punished with
leprosy and is shut out of camp for seven days, at the end of which the
Israelites proceed to the desert
of Paran Canaan and come back to
report to Moses. Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, tell that the land is
abundant and is "flowing with milk and honey"; the other spies say
that it is inhabited by giants, and the Israelites refuse to enter the land.
Yahweh decrees that the Israelites will be punished for their loss of faith by
having to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
With the two hundred fifty censers left after God's destruction of
Korah's band for questioning the authority of Moses and Aaron, Moses is ordered
by God to make plates to cover the altar. The children of Israel murmur against Moses and
Aaron on account of the destruction of Korah's men and are stricken with the
plague, with 14,700 perishing.
Aaron and his family are declared by God to be responsible for any
iniquity committed in connection with the sanctuary. The Levites are again
appointed to help in the keeping of the Tabernacle. The Levites are ordered to
surrender to the priests a part of the tithes taken to them.
Miriam dies at Kadesh Barnea and the Israelites set out for Moab , on Canaan 's
eastern border. The Israelites blame Moses for the lack of water. Moses is
ordered by God to speak to a rock but disobeys, and is punished by the
announcement that he shall not enter Canaan .
The king of Edom
refuses permission to the Israelites to pass through his land and they go round
it. Aaron dies on Mount
Hor.
The Israelites arrive on the plains of Moab . A new census gives the total
number of males from twenty years and upward as 601,730, and the number of the
Levites from a month old and upward as 23,000. The land shall be divided by
lot. The daughters of Zelophehad, their father having no sons, are to share in
the allotment. Moses is ordered to appoint Joshua as his successor.
Prescriptions for the observance of the feasts, and the offerings for different
occasions are enumerated.
Moses orders the Israelites to massacre the people of Midian. The
Reubenites and the Gadites request Moses to assign them the land east of the Jordan .
Moses grants their request after they promise to help in the conquest of the
land west of the Jordan .
The land east of the Jordan
is divided among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Moses recalls the stations at which the Israelites halted during their
forty years' wanderings and instructs the Israelites to exterminate the
Canaanites and destroy their idols. The boundaries of the land are spelled out;
the land is to be divided under the supervision of Eleazar, Joshua, and twelve
princes, one of each tribe.
This book takes its name from the fact that it contains the account of
the two census enumerations of the congregation of Israel in chapters 1-4 and chapter
26. The title, however, is interesting since there is really no connection with
these "numberings." The original Hebrew title, "in the
wilderness," is greatly to be preferred, as the book is certainly more a
vital history of the events of the period of wanderings than a catalogue of
lifeless statistics. Numbers follows naturally after Leviticus in the sequence
of the books of the Pentateuch. After receiving the laws at Sinai, the journey
to which was described in Exodus, the Israelites were ready to continue their
march to Canaan . This book tells of their
preparations, their sin in failing to trust in God and the resultant
thirty-seven years of wanderings through the rough wilderness. At the end of
the book, they are once again at the edge of Canaan ,
where they receive instructions for the conquest and division of the land.
The principle
divisions of the book are as follows:
1) The preparation for the departure from Sinai (1:1-10:10). The events
described here took place in nineteen days. In this time a census was taken of
all men who were over twenty and who could serve in military efforts (1-4). The
total obtained was 603,550 (1:46). This would indicate that the total
population of the group was probably near three million. The census was
followed by the cleansing and blessing of the congregation (5-6), the offering
of gifts from the various tribes (7), the consecration of the Levites (8) and
the observance of the Passover at Sinai (9:1-14).
2 ) The journey from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (10:11-14:45). This section
includes the account of the coming of the quail (11), the rebellion against
Moses by Miriam and Aaron (12), and the fateful mission of the spies (13, 14).
3) The wanderings of the desert wilderness (15-19). As noted above, this
covered a period of thirty-seven years, from the end of the second to the
beginning of the fortieth year in the wilderness. Ch. 15 includes various laws
and a record of capital punishment for Sabbath breaking. The rebellion of Korah
(ch. 16) and the budding of Aaron's rod (ch. 17) are also mentioned here.
4 ) The history of the last year, from the second arrival of the
Israelites at Kadesh till they reach
"the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho " (20-36: 13). Notable sections
of this are the story of Balaam (22:2-24:25), the zeal of Phinehas (ch. 25),
the second census (26:1-51) , instructions for dividing the land (26:52-27:
11), the appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor (27: 12-23), various laws
concerning offerings and vows ( 28-30 ), the war with Midian (ch. 31), the
settlement of the tribes east of the Jordan (ch. 32), a review of the locations
at which Israel had camped during their wanderings (33: 1-49), more
instructions concerning the conquest and division of Canaan (33:50-34:29 ), the
appointment of the cities of refuge (ch. 35) and instructions concerning the
marriage of land-owning Israelite women (ch. 36).
Numbers relates
the story of Israel 's
journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab
on the border of Canaan . Much of its
legislation for people and priests is similar to that in Exodus, Leviticus and
Deuteronomy. The book tells of the murmuring and rebellion of God's people and
of their subsequent judgment. Those whom God had redeemed from slavery in Egypt and with whom he had made a covenant at
Mount Sinai responded not with faith, gratitude and obedience but with
unbelief, ingratitude and repeated acts of rebellion, which came to extreme
expression in their refusal to undertake the conquest of Canaan
(ch. 14). The community of the redeemed forfeited their part in the promised
land.
They were
condemned to live out their lives in the desert; only their children would
enjoy the fulfilment of the promise that had originally been theirs (cf. Heb
3:7 -- 4:11). In telling the story of Israel Israel 's deliverance from Egypt Israel Israel
Numbers also
presents the chastening wrath of God against his disobedient people. Because of
their rebellion, Israel Egypt
and Canaan .
Even Moses, the
great prophet and servant of the Lord, was not exempt from God's wrath when he
disobeyed God. Ch. 20, which records his error, begins with the notice of
Miriam's death (20:1) and concludes with the record of Aaron's death
(20:22-29). Here is the passing of the old guard. Those whom God has used to
establish the nation are dying before the nation has come into its own.
Balaam is Moab Israel
at the instigation of Balak king of Moab Israel
In his seven
prophetic oracles, Balaam proclaims God's great blessing for his people (see
23:20). Though the immediate enjoyment of this blessing will always depend on
the faithfulness of his people, the ultimate realization of God's blessing is
sure -- because of the character of God (see 23:19). Thus Numbers reaffirms the
ongoing purposes of God. Despite his judgment on his rebellious people, God is
still determined to bring Israel Israel
The teaching of
the book has lasting significance for Israel
DEUTERONOMY
Reiteration and Reviewing
Author:
Moses, Date: 1410 B.C.
The English title, which
comes from the Septuagint, means “second law-giving” and comes from the
mistranslation of 17:18, which actually says “a copy of this law.” Deuteronomy
is a not a second law, but rather a review, expansion, and reiteration of the
original law given at Sinai.
Theme and Purpose
After forty years of
wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were on the eve of entering the
promised land. Before they did, it was necessary (lest they forget what God had
done and who they were) that they be reminded about all that God had done for
them and about God’s holy law which was so vital to their ability to remain in
the land and function as God’s holy nation and as a kingdom of priests to the
nations (Deut. 4:1-8). As a part of this theme or purpose, the book also
emphasizes the vital necessity of teaching children to love and obey God.
Deuteronomy ends with the renewal of God’s covenant with Israel
Key Chapters
Chapter 27 is key because in
it there is a formal ratification of Israel’s covenant as Moses and the
levitical priests call upon all Israel to take heed and listen, for in verses
9-10 it is declared, “This day you have become a people for the Lord your God.
You shall therefore obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments and His
statutes which I command you today.”
Chapters 28-30 are
also key because of the promises regarding Israel
Key People
Moses and Joshua.
CHRIST
AS SEEN IN DEUTERONOMY
The statement about Moses in
18:15 is one of the clearest portraits of Christ. It reads, “The Lord your God
will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen,
you shall listen to him.” Further, Moses, as a type of Christ, is the only
figure other than Christ to fill all three of the offices of prophet
(34:10-12), priest (Ex. 32:31-35), and king (although Moses was not king, he
functioned as ruler of Israel
Outline
Deuteronomy divides into three sections:
I. Preamble (1:1-5)
II. Review of Israel
III. Rehearsal of Israel
IV. Ratification of Israel
V. Conclusion (31:1-34:12)
Textual Summary
The book consists of three sermons or speeches delivered to the Israelites
by Moses on the plains of Moab
Patrick D. Miller in his Commentary on Deuteronomy suggests that different
views of the structure of the book will lead to different views on what it is
about. Each of the sermons of
Moses has a different focus and purpose. The first sermon recorded in chapters
1 to 4 reminded the people of where they came from. Moses gave a history of Israel and how God led them out of Egypt .
This was a reminder of what their parents had experienced. It was also a
summary of the book of Numbers—the experiences the people had because of
refusing to trust the Lord.
The second sermon of Moses was focused on the Law. The Ten Commandments
are restated in chapter 5 and an admonition was given to teach and obey God’s
Law. As they were about to enter a land filled with idolatry, they were
reminded of the laws against idolatry and the need to destroy any worship
outside of true worship to God. During this sermon is the “second telling of
the Law,” which is where the name Deuteronomy comes from. Moses re-told much of
the law with an emphasis on obedience.
Moses’ third sermon focused on Israel ’s future. He commanded the
people to keep records of God’s laws and taught about the consequences of
disobedience.
The fourth sermon is the Palestinian Covenant. If they were disobedient
to the covenant, they would be driven from the land. But restoration was
promised if they would repent and return to God.
The final section (chapters 31-33) can be summarized like this: the completion
of the book (31), the singing of the song (32), the pronouncement of the
blessing (33) and the ending of the life (34).
Chapters 1–4: The journey through the wilderness from Horeb (Sinai) to
Kadesh and then to Moab
Chapters 4–11: After a second introduction at 4:44–49 the events at Mount Horeb
(Mt. Sinai Israel
Chapters 12–26, the Deuteronomic code: Laws governing Israel
Chapters 27–28: Blessings and curses for those who keep and break the law.
Chapters 29–30: Concluding discourse on the covenant in the land of Moab ,
including all the laws in the Deuteronomic code (chapters 12–26) after those
given at Horeb; Israel
Chapters 31–34: Joshua is installed as Moses' successor, Moses delivers the
law to the Levites (priests), and ascends Mount Nebo/Pisgah, where he dies and
is buried by God. The narrative of these events is interrupted by two poems,
the Song of Moses and the Blessing of Moses.
The final verses, Deuteronomy 34:10–12, "never again did there arise
in Israel a prophet like
Moses," make a claim for the authoritative the Deuteronomistic view of
theology and its insistence that the worship of the Hebrew God as the sole
deity of Israel
Deuteronomic Code
Deuteronomy 12–26, the Deuteronomic Code, is its oldest part of the book
and the core around which the rest developed. It is a series of mitzvot
(commands) to the Israelites regarding how they ought to conduct themselves in Canaan , the land promised by Yahweh, God of Israel. The
following list organizes most of the laws into thematic groups:
- The
worship of Canaanite gods is forbidden and the order is given to destroy
their places of worship. (12:29–31)
- Native
mourning practices such deliberate disfigurement are forbidden. (14:1–2)
- The worship
at Asherah groves and setting up of ritual pillars are forbidden.
(16:21–22)
- All
sacrifices are to be brought and vows are to be made at a central
sanctuary. (12:1–28)
- Sacrificed
animals must be without blemish.
- First-born
male livestock must be sacrificed. (15:19–23)
- The
procedure for tithing produce or donating its equivalent is given.
(14:22–29)
- The
Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot are instituted.
(16:1–17)
- A catalog
of which animals are permitted and which forbidden for consumption is
given. (14:3–20)
- The
consumption of animals which are found dead and have not been slaughtered
is prohibited. (14:21)
- Judges are
to be appointed in every city. (16:18)
- Judges are
to be impartial and bribery is forbidden. (16:19–20)
- A central
tribunal is established. (17:8–13)
- Should the
Israelites choose to be ruled by a King, regulations for the office are
given. (17:14–20)
- Regulations
of the rights, and revenue, of the Levites are given. (18:1–8)
- Concerning
the future (unspecified) prophet. (18:9–22)
- Regulations
for the priesthood are given. (23:1–8)
- Debts are
to be released in the seventh year. (15:1–11)
- Regulations
of the institution of slavery and the procedure for freeing slaves are
given. (15:12–18)
- Lost
property, once found, is to be restored to its owner. (22:1–4)
- Prohibition
of mixing kinds, at Deuteronomy 22:9-11
- Marriages
between women and their stepsons are forbidden. (22:30)
- The camp
is to be kept clean. (23:9–14)
- Usury is
forbidden. (23:19–20)
- Regulations
for vows and pledges are given. (23:21–23, 24:6, 24:10–13)
- The
procedure for tzaraath (a disfigurative condition) is given. (24:8–9)
- Hired
workers are to be paid fairly. (24:14–15)
- Justice is
to be shown towards strangers, widows, and orphans. (24:17–18)
- Portions of
crops are to be given to the poor. (24:19–22)
- The rules
for witnesses are given. (19:15–21)
- The
procedure for a bride who has been slandered is given. (22:13–21)
- Various
laws concerning adultery and rape are given. (22:22–29)
- Kidnapping
is forbidden. (24:7)
- Just
weights and measures are mandated. (25:13–16)
The themes of Deuteronomy in relation to Israel Israel Israel 's
past disobedience – but also God's gracious care, leading to a long call to Israel
Purpose of Deuteronomy
The people who were about to enter into the Promised Land with Joshua
were not the same people who left Egypt . These were now the son’s and
daughters who had not experienced the great miracles of the Exodus of the
previous generation. Moses spoke to the people as a reminder of all that God
had done for them in the past. These were not the people who had received the
Law of God directly. Emphasis needed to be given to God’s holiness and the
command for obedience.
Moses, the only leader these people had known, was about to die. Moses
transferred the leadership of the people over to Joshua and Caleb. These two
men were the only other adults, besides Moses, who came out of Egypt
and experienced all that God had brought them through. Moses gave a final
charge to the people before they entered the battleground that was soon to
come.
References
In the Beginning, By Scott McLemee
The Holy Bible,
King James Version and New American Standard Version.
Ronald Hendel’s
The Book of Genesis: A Biography (Princeton University Press)
Wikipedia the Free Media.
Good Reader Books.
Devarim, on
Deuteronomy.
Shofetim, on
Deuteronomy.
Class Notes on Exodus
by Adam Kissel
Nicholas Poussin Main Article on Torah
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