The Bible

The Books of the Pentateuch

The contents of the Pentateuch are partly of an historical, partly of a legal character and theological progression. They give us the history of the Chosen People from the creation of the world to the death of Moses, and acquaint us with civil and religious legislation.
The Pentateuch consists of the first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The term "Pentateuch" comes from the Greek term pent teuchos meaning "five-volume (book). The Jews called it "Torah" (instruction) which is often rendered in English by "Law" (Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17). 

Genesis: A Narrative of the origins of the people of Israel, focusing primarily on the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

Beginnings - From Adam to Abram - Genesis 1 - 11

Abraham - a covenant and promises - Genesis 12- 25

Isaac and Jacob - wrestling with God - Genesis 26 - 36

Joseph - how the family came to Egypt - Genesis 37 - 50

Exodus - Narrative of God’s Deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and giving them the Laws that make them a nation.

God’s Redemption of Israel: Exodus 1 - 15

God’s Man - Moses 1 - 4

God’s Deliverance - The Exodus 5 - 11

Six Types of Salvation: God’s provision for his people 12 - 18

God’s Law Given at Sinai for His People: Chapters 19 - 24

Perspectives on Living with God in their midst : Chapters 25 -40

The Tabernacle 25 - 31

Failure and repentance 32 - 33

The sacrifices 34 - 40

Leviticus - A book of Ceremonial and Religious Laws - dealing with two fundamental principles for a people “between two worlds” - Egypt and the Promised Land. <> 

How to deal with sin and failure: Chapters 1 - 17

Specialized Sacrifices, the Burnt offering, Meal offering, Peace offering, Sin offering.

Chapters 1-7: The Servant Priesthood: Chapters 8 - 10

Symbolic Dietary and Hygiene Laws: Chapters 11 - 15

The Annual National Sacrifice: Chapters 16 - 17

What to Look Forward to in the World to come

The Kind of People we will be: Chapters 18 - 20

The Kind of Priest who will represent us: Chapters 21 - 22

Special Holidays: Chapters 23 - 24

Regulations for the new land: Chapters 25 - 27

These were given to a people living as nomads in tents and worshiping at the Tabernacle.

Numbers - The nation of Israel in the wilderness, wandering. This narrative book covers thirty eight years - a generation that rebels and wanders until the covenant and the promised land is passed to the next.

The Rebellious Generation: Thirty years of wandering

The census and organization of the nation Chapters 1- 10

The rebellion of the people Chapters 11 - 20

The Next Generation: Preparations victories on the way to crossing the Jordan Chapters 21 - 25

The battles between Israel and the Midianites Chapters 25 - 31

Final Preparations for entering the Land Chapters 32 - 36

Deuteronomy - Moses’ address to the nation on the brink of entering the Promised Land - a reaffirmation of the Covenant 1: 1 - 6; Historical Prologue 1:6 - 4:49; Stipulations 5:1 - 26: 19; Sanctions for ratification 27 - 30; and a disposition for continuity 32 - 34.