PENTATEUCH TORAH (THE BOOKS OF LAW)

PENTATEUCH

TORAH

(THE BOOKS OF LAW)

Genesis (The Beginning)

Exodus (Exit Egypt)

Leviticus (The Law)

Numbers (Wilderness Wandering)

Deuteronomy (Second Law)

PILGRIM REST BAPTIST CHURCH 3456 NORTH 38TH STREET MILWAUKEE, WI 53216

PASTOR MARTIN CHILDS, JR., D.MIN

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Pastor Martin Childs, Jr., D.Min January, 2021

THE PENTATEUCH

CLASS OVERVIEW

This course provides a detailed survey of the first five books of the Old Testament. The focus will be on the study

of the fundamental significance of each of these books relative to the life of the people of Israel. Emphasis will be

placed upon showing how these books are foundational for all of the Biblical records.

CLASS OBJECTIVES

1. To gain an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)

2. To explore key themes and personalities of the Pentateuch – paying special attention to rituals, sacrifices,

traditions, laws, commands, etc.

3. To retell and summarize “The Story” of key personalities in the Pentateuch

4. To examine the themes and personalities of the Pentateuch through a contemporary lens and explore the

biblical foundations through present day realities.

READ: GENESIS 1:1-11:26 / CREATION (ADAM AND EVE) / NOAH

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Bible Overview

B. The Pentateuch as narrative (story) – Narrative conveys identity

C. The narrative begins with creation

D. The story of the creation begins in CHAOS and moves to an end …REST

E. The story of the creation is also a story of PURPOSE and PROMISE

II. IN THE BEGINNING GOD

A. 1:1 The four most crucial words, “In The Beginning God”

B. 1:2 The earth was a formless void = Chaos. Darkness was upon the face of the deep. The Spirit of

God moved (hovered) over the face of the waters.

C 1:3 – 2:25 God creates Adam and Eve

1. 1:26-27 – God creates man and woman (the big picture)

2. 2:7-9; 18-19 – God creates man and woman (the details)

D. 3:1-3:24 Temptation, Fall, Consequences and Expulsion from the Garden

1. 3:1-5 – Temptation

2. 3:6-13 – Fall

3. 3:14-21 – Consequences

4. 3:22-24 – Expulsion from the Garden

III. POPULATION OF THE EARTH

A. Cain (tiller of the land) and Abel (keeper of sheep)

B. 4:3-7 God respected Abel’s offering and did not respect Cain’s

C. 4:8-10 Cain kills Abel

D. 4:11-15 Curses upon Cain

E. 4:16-5:32 The earth is populated

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IV. NOAH AND THE FLOOD

A. 6:1-8 Because of the people, God decided to withdraw God’s breath

1. Reduce lifespan to 120 years

2. Extend a grace period of 120 years before destroying the earth

3. However, Noah found grace in the eyes of God

a. Noah’s son – Shem

b. Noah’s son – Ham

c. Noah’s son - Japheth

B. 6:13-22 Noah builds the ark

C. 7:1-8:19 The flood waters come

1. 7:2 Seven of each clean animal (male and female)

2. 7:2 Two of each unclean animal (male and female)

3. 7:3 Seven of each birds of the air (male and female)

D. 8:20-22 God establishes a covenant with Noah

E. 9:1-17 God blesses Noah and a new beginning for humankind

F. 9:18-29 God curses Canaan. Note: the curse is not to Ham. Therefore, all black people are not

cursed as some would suggest. Also, the fulfillment of the curse is found in Joshua when

the Children of Israel conquered Canaan

G. 10:1-32 Table of Nations (Descendants of Noah)

H. 11:1-9 Tower of Babel

READ: GENESIS 12:1-50:26 / ABRAHAM / ISAAC / JACOB / JOSEPH

Abraham

Ishmael Isaac

Jacob Esau

Reuben Simeon Issachar Zebulun Levi Judah Gad Dan Naphtali Joseph Benjamin

I. ABRAHAM

A. Abraham, the father of many nations

1. 12:7 “I will give this land to your seed.”

2. 13:14-17 “I will make your seed as the dust of the earth.”

3. 15:5 “I will make your seed as the number of stars.”

4. 22:17, 18 “In your seed shall all the nations be blessed.”

B. Abraham, the father of three great religions

1. Father of Judaism – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel [32:28].

Jacob means trickster, Israel means he who fights or persists with God. The three centers of

Judaism are Jerusalem, Egypt and Babylon.

2. Father of Christianity – Jesus came down through 42 generations beginning with Abraham

[Matthew 1].

a. From Abraham to David = 14 generations

b. From David to the exile in Babylon = 14 generations

c. From the exile in Babylon to Jesus = 14 generations

3. Father of Islam – through his first-born son, Ishmael

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C. Abraham journeys by faith

1. 11:31, 32 An initial, unrecorded call from Mesopotamia to Charran (see Acts 7:2-4.

Charran = Haran).

2. 12:1 A second call is given after Abraham’s father dies. He is also called to separate from

his family

3. 12:5, 6 Abraham reaches Canaan which is inhabited by the Canaanites

4. 12:8 Abraham moved to a mountain between Bethel and Hai and built an altar there

5. 12:9 Abraham journeys further south

6. 12:10 Due to a famine, Abraham journeys to Egypt

7. 13:1-4 Abraham returns to Canaan (between Bethel and Hai and built an altar) much

richer than when he left

D. Abraham’s notable firsts

1. 20:7 Abraham is the first to be called a prophet

2. 15:1-21 Abraham established a covenant by passing through. Abraham participates

3. 17:1-27 Abraham established a covenant circumcision. Circumcision is entered as a rite.

God alone acts through Word and Abraham is to carry it out.

II. ISAAC

A. Isaac marries Rebekah

1. Complete story found in Chapter 24

2. Rebekah is barren

3. Isaac pleaded to the Lord and Rebekah conceived

B. The children (twins) struggled together within her

1. Rebekah inquired of the Lord

2. “Two nations are in your womb…the older shall serve the younger” (25:23)

C. Esau

1. Red

2. Like a hairy garment all over

3. Skillful hunter’ a man of the field

D. Jacob

1. His hand took hold of Esau’s heel

2. Mild man, dwelling in tents

E. Isaac loved Esau because he ate his game, Rebekah loved Jacob

III. ESAU SELLS HIS BIRTHRIGHT (25:29-34)

The birthright would have amounted to a double portion of the family estate

IV. ISAAC AND ABIMELECH (26:1-32)

A. Follows Abraham’s model (26:6 ff)

B. Rebekah was beautiful (24:16)

V. JACOB RECEIVES ESAU’S BLESSING (27:1-40)

As God had previously indicated

VI. JACOB’S VOW AT BETHEL (28:10-22)

VII. JACOB MEETS RACHAEL

A. The daughter of his mother’s brother

B. Meeting similar to Isaac and Rebekah (24:15-20)

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C. Jacob kissed Rachael, lifted his voice and wept

D. Rachael had an older sister, Leah (eyes were delicate)

E. However, Rachael was beautiful of form and appearance (29:17)

1. Sarai (12:11)

2. Rebekah (24:16)

F. Jacob served 7 years for Rachael

G. Laban slipped Leah in on Jacob. Jacob was deceived. Jacob deceived Isaac (27:35)

H. Jacob worked 7 more years for Rachael

I. Rachael was barren and offered to Jacob her maid, Bilhah

J. Rachael gives Jacob a son, Joseph

VIII. JACOB MEETS ESAU

A. Esau comes to meet Jacob (32:1-21)

B. Jacob wrestles with God (32:22-31)

C. Jacob meets Esau (33:1-17)

IX. JOSEPH

A. The dream implemented

1. 13 years later. in the land of Egypt, as second in command, the dream is fulfilled

2. Joseph’s brothers bow before him as he had dreamed

B. Dream implementation explanation

1. 13 years later. in the land of Egypt, Joseph had to become second in command to fulfill the

dream

2. What brought Joseph, 13 years later. in the land of Egypt, to become second in command, to

fulfill the dream?

3. 37:24 Put in a pit

4. 39:1, 2 Sold into slavery

5. 39:19-21 Placed in prison

6. 40:23 Forsaken and forgotten

READ: EXODUS 1:1-40:38 / MOSES

I. MOSES

A. Moses = Moshe in Hebrew

B. Moses means, “I bore him from the water” (Ex 2:10)

II. MOSES: BIRTH AND BACKGROUND

A. Joseph brought Jacob and his family to live in Egypt from Canaan due to the 7 yr. famine

B. The Children of Israel were fruitful and multiplied

C. There rose a king who did not know Joseph (Thutmose IV, 15th Century B.C. (Ex 1:8)

D. He placed the Children of Israel in bondage (Ex 1:11-14) (told to Abraham Gen 15:13)

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E. He initiated male infanticide – females could live (Ex 1:15-22) Note: Shiprah and Puah

F. Moses is placed in a basket on the Nile River (Ex 2:1-4) Note: “basket” tey-vah, is the same

word for Noah’s “ark”

G. Moses is drawn from the water and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter (Ex 2:5-6)

H. Moses’ sister, Miriam, offers to find a nurse for the child. She gets Jochebed, Moses’ mother.

Jochebed was paid to raise her own son (Ex 2:7-9)

I. Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s house (Ex 2:10)

J. Moses saw an Egyptian hitting his brother (emphasis added) and killed him (Ex 2:11-12)

K. Moses realized the incident is known and flees to Egypt (Ex 2:13-15)

L. Moses flees to Midian, helps Jethro’s daughters, marries Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter, and has a

son named Gershom (“I have been a stranger in a strange land”) (Ex 2:15-25)

III. MOSES: MIRACULOUS ENCOUNTERS

A. Burning Bush Experience – (see handout)

B. 10 plagues – (see handout)

IV. MOSES AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS A. You shall have no other gods before Me.

B. You shall not make for yourself a carved image

C. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain

D. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

E. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your

God is giving you.

F. You shall not murder.

G. You shall not commit adultery

H. You shall not steal.

I. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

J. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male

servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s

READ: LEVITICUS 1:1-27:34

I. THE FIVE OFFERINGS (LEVITICUS 1-7)

A. The Burnt Offering (1:1-17)

1. Purpose – Atonement for sin in general, enabling an unholy people to approach a holy God

2. Offering – Unblemished bull; male sheep or goat; male or female dove/pigeon

3. In the Burnt Offering, everything was burnt on the altar. God got everything, the offeror got

nothing

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4. Relation to Christ – Hebrews 9:13, 14 (For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a

heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall

the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God,

cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?) Christ gives

Himself as a sacrifice for a sweet smelling savor

B. The Grain Offering (2:1-16)

1. Purpose – An expression of thanksgiving and dedication to God

2. Offering – Flour or grain

3. The Grain Offering was the bloodless offering

4. Relation to Christ – I Timothy 2:5 (For there is one God and one Mediator between God

and men, the Man Christ Jesus) Represents Christ in His life, not in His death

C. The Peace Offering (3:1-17)

1. Purpose – An expression of gratitude and desire for fellowship with God

2. Offering – Unblemished bull; male or female sheep or goat

3. The distinction of the Peace Offering is the offerer and the priest each got a portion of it. It

was eaten before the Lord signifying communion with the Lord

4. Relation to Christ – II Corinthians 5:18 (Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us

to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation), Colossians

1:20 (and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or

things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.) Christ

reconciling us and bringing us back to God

D. The Sin Offering (4:1-5:13)

1. Purpose – Atonement for unintentional sins of weakness or carelessness

2. Offering – Unblemished bull; male or female goat

3. The Sin Offering stands in direct contrast to the Burnt Offering in that all is for the offerer

4. Relation to Christ – II Corinthians 5:21 (For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for

us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him), I Peter 2:24 (who Himself bore

our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for

righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.) Christ gave Himself for us

E. The Trespass Offering (5:14-6:7)

1. Purpose – Atonement for specific sins; injured persons compensated for their losses

2. Offering – Unblemished rams

3. There is a marked difference between the Sin Offering and the Trespass Offering. In the Sin

Offering, there is a sacrifice for the nature of sin. In the Trespass Offering, there is a sacrifice

for the sins of nature

4. Relation to Christ – I John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) Christ receives our confessions,

forgives us and cleanses us

II. ORDINATION OF PRIESTS (LEVITICUS 8-10)

A. Ordination of Aaron as high Priest and his sons as Priests (8:1-36)

B. First sacrifices of the newly ordained Priests (9:1-24)

C. The sins of Nadab and Abihu and the regulations for the Priests (10:1-20)

D. Hebrews 9:11-14; 25-27 (11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come with the

greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the

blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all,

having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer,

sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of

Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience

from dead works to serve the living God?... 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high

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priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to

suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared

to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this

the judgment,) Hebrews 10:11-14 ( 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering

repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered

one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His

enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being

sanctified.)

III. LAWS CONCERNING WHAT IS CLEAN AND UNCLEAN (LEVITICUS 11-15)

A. Clean and Unclean animals (11:1-47)

1. Purpose: To be holy as God is holy

2. Leviticus 11:44, 45 (44 For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate

yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any

creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 45 For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the

land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy)

3. I Peter 1:15, 16 (15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy)

B. Purification following childbirth (12:1-8)

C. Uncleanness from skin conditions [Leprosy] (13:1-59)

D. Purification following skin disease and dwellings [Leprosy] (14:1-57)

E. Uncleanness of body discharges (15:1-33)

IV. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (LEVITICUS 16) (see handout)

V. THE HOLINESS CODES (LEVITICUS 17-26)

A. Killing animals for food (17:1-16)

B. Purity in sexual relations and other life situations (18:1-19:37)

C. Penalties for violations (20:1-27)

D. Purity in the life of the Priests and in sacrificial animals (21:1-22:33)

E. The Seven Holy Convocations (23:1-44)

1. The Sabbath

2. The Passover and Unleavened Bread

3. The Feast of Firstfruits

4. The Feast of Weeks

5. The Feast of Trumpets

6. The Day of Atonement

7. The feast of Tabernacles

F. Pure oil and holy bread (24:1-9)

G. Punishment for blasphemy (24:10-23)

H. The Sabbath year, the year of jubilee, and redemption (25:1-55)

I. Blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience (26:1-46)

VI. REDEMPTION OF GIFTS AND TITHES (LEVITICUS 27:1-34)

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READ: NUMBERS 1:1-36:13

I. INTRODUCTION

The book of Numbers characterizes two numberings or censuses taken over a forty year period.

The first generation is numbered in Chapter 1 (Year 2, Month 2, Day 1). The Second generation

is numbered in Chapter 26 (Year 40, Month 5, Day 1).

The Book of Numbers is basically divided into two sections: In Section 1, Chapters 1-25, we see

stories of the Old Generation and their Rebellion. In Section 2, Chapters 26-36, we see stories of

the New Generation and their hope.

II. THE FIRST CENSUS AT SINAI

A. The first Census of the people – 1:1-54

B. The position of the tribes in camp – 2:1-34

C. Role of the Levites – 3:1-4:49

D. The Sanctification of the people – 5:1-10:10

III. DEPARTURE FROM SINAI

A. The journey out of the wilderness begins – 10:11-36

B. The murmuring

1. Against the Manna and the Quail – 11:1-35

2. The murmuring of Miriam and Aaron – 12:1-16

C. Israel at Kadesh-barnea

1. Spies sent into Canaan – 13:1-33

2. Response and judgment of the people – 14:1-33

3. A futile invasion attempt – 14:34-45

D. The discipline of God – 15:1-19:1-22

E. The sin of Moses – 20:1-13

F. Israel marching to Moab – 20:14-21:35

1. The Brass Serpent – 21:4-9

G. Israel on the Plains of Moab -- Balak and Balaam – 22:1-24:25

IV. PREPARING FOR CANAAN

A. The New Generation numbered– 26:1-65

B. The people instructed, and division of the land of Canaan – 27:1-36:13

READ: DEUTERONOMY 1:1-34:12

I. REVIEW OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY 1:6-4:43

A. Israel at Sinai 1:6-18

B. Israel at Kadesh-Barnea 1:19-46

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C. Israel’s journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab 2:1-3:29

D. Israel on the Plains of Moab 4:1-43

II. THE LAW, THE PROMISES AND THE COVENANT COMMUNITY 4:44-11:32

Commands concerning God

1. The Ten Commandments (4:44-5:33)

2. The command to love the Lord (6:1-25)

3. The command to destroy the Canaanites (7:1-26)

4. The command to remember God’s past dealings (8:1-10:11)

5. The call to commitment (10:12-11:32)

III. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COVENANT FELLOWSHIP 12:1-26:19

A. The place of Worship (12:1-32)

B. Commands concerning False Prophets (13:1-18)

C. Commands concerning food (14:1-21)

D. Commands concerning Tithes (14:22-29)

E. Commands concerning the Sabbath Year (15:1-23)

F. Commands concerning Festivals (16:1-17)

G. Commands concerning Leaders (16:18-18:22)

H. Commands concerning human relationships (19:1-26:19)

IV. THE COVENANT RENEWAL 27:1-30:20

A. In Canaan Under Joshua (27:1-26)

B. Moses Addresses Israel (28:1-29:1)

C. Review and Application (29:2-29)

D. A Choice: Life or Death, Blessing or Curse (30:1-20)

V. THE LAST ACTS OF MOSES 31:1-33:29

A. Transition of Authority to Joshua (31:1-8)

B. Reading of the Law by the Priest (31:9-13)

C. God’s Appearance to Moses and Joshua (31:14-23)

D. Placement of the Law (31:24-29)

E. The Song of Moses (31:30-32:47)

F. Moses’ Blessing on the Tribes (32:48-33:29)

VI. MOSES’ DEATH AND JOSHUA’S SUCCESSION 34:1-12

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BIBLE OVERVIEW

God

Adam and Eve

Cain and Able

Noah

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Joseph

Moses

Joshua

Judges (Deborah, Gideon, Samson)

Samuel

Saul

David

Solomon

Divided Kingdom

Northern Southern

Israel Judah

Samaria (Capital) Jerusalem (Capital)

10 Tribes 2 Tribes

Jeroboam (1st King) Rehoboam (1st King)

Prophets

Captivity

Return

Gospels

Acts

Epistles

Revelation

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CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS

CLASSES CLEAN UNCLEAN

MAMMALS

Lev 11:1-8 1. Split Hoofs 1. Those without spilt hoofs

2. Chew the Cud 2. Those who do not chew the cud

Ruminants (cud chewers stomachs) 3. Camel (chews cud, not split hoof)

consists of 4 chambers, analogous to 4

cycles of washing and rinsing. 4. Rock Hyrax (chews, not split hoof)

They eliminate toxins and parasites from

the flesh 5. Rabbit (chews cud, not split hoof)

Deut 14:4, 5 Ox, Sheep, Goat, Deer, Gazelle, Roe Deer,

Wild Goat, Mountain Goat, Antelope,

Mountain sheep

WATER 1. Fins Whatever water animals that do not

ANIMALS And have fins and scales

Lev 11:9-12 2. Scales

BIRDS Whatever birds that are not listed 1. Eagle, Vulture, Buzzard, Kite,

as forbidden Falcon (after its kind)

Lev 11:13-19

2. Raven (after its kind)

3. Ostrich, Short-Eared Owl, Sea Gull,

Hawk (after its kind)

4. Little Owl, Fisher Owl, Screech Owl,

Jackdaw, Carrion Vulture, Stork,

Heron (after its kind)

5. Hoopoe, Bat

INSECTS Flying insects that creep on all fours which 1. Flying insects that creep on all fours

have jointed legs above their feet with

Lev 11:20-23, which to leap (Locust, Crickets and 2. Crawls on its belly

41-45 Grasshoppers)

3. Has many feet

REPTILES / None All

AMPHIBIANS /

RODENTS

Lev 11:29-30

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WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT EAT

GOAL: HOLINESS

A. Holiness Code: The moral and ritual guidelines established to ensure that Israel maintained purity and

subsequently, fellowship with God

B. God, “You shall be holy for I am holy.”

C. 1 Peter 1:15, 16, “…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy…”

D. What does it mean to be holy?

FOUNDATION

A. All people can eat anything (Genesis 9:3, 4)

B. God’s people can eat some things [clean] (Lev 11; Deut 14)

C. God accepts the domesticated and perfect of the clean for sacrifices (Lev 22:17-33)

D. What makes it unclean?

1. God said it (Does it matter why?)

2. God create it (Therefore, God knows if it is clean or not)

SPIRITUAL REASONS WE CANNOT EAT EVERYTHING

A. Nothing on the unclean list was permitted to be used in the Offerings to God. God rejected them because

they were unclean. If they are unclean to give to God, they are unclean for us.

B. Do you want to be like God?

SANITARY REASONS WE CANNOT EAT EVERYTHING

A. Everything that God made was not meant to be eaten

B. What makes an animal unclean to eat?

C. Mammals:

1. Clean mammals are ruminants (cud chewers)

2. Clean mammals have split hoofs

D. Water Animals:

1. Clean water animals have fins and scales

2. Clean water animals are not bottom feeders

E. Birds:

1. Clean birds are not birds of prey

2. Clean birds are not scavenger birds

F. Insects:

1. Clean insects have jointed legs above the feet to leap

2. Clean insects eat only leaves

G. Reptiles / Amphibians / Rodents:

1. There are no clean Reptiles

2. There are no clean Amphibians

3. There are no clean Rodents

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Documents

PENTATEUCH TORAH (THE BOOKS OF LAW)