The Pentateuch

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJV)

There are many wonderful lessons that one can learn from the Old Testament. Paul writes, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the things written “aforetime” were written for “our learning” and for giving us “hope” (Romans 15:4). Such is the case with the first five books of the Bible, which is referred to as “The Pentateuch” (taken from the combining of two Hebrew words; “penta- five” and “teuch- vessel or book”). The Pentateuch are the five books delivered to the children of Israel, from the mouth of God, through the hand of Moses. Both the Old and the New Testament claim Moses to be the author of the Pentateuch (Exodus 17:14; Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:1; Matt. 19:7-8; John 5:45-47; Acts 7:22). As all Scripture is given by God (2 Tim. 3:16), and the Old Testament is given for our learning, which helps us better understand the New Testament, makes us wise unto salvation through Christ, show the prophecies of Christ which are revealed in the New Testament, gives evidence that the Bible is divinely inspired (Isa. 44:28-45; Psalm 8:8), shows the divinity of Christ (Isa. 7:14), gives examples of God’s great power and care for His children, and shows what great faith can accomplish (see Hebrews 11). For these reasons, and many others, we begin to understand why the Old Testament must be studied. Now let’s look at each of the first five books of the Bible.

Genesis: God’s library of wisdom for mankind opens in a wonderful way! Within the first three verses of the Bible we have the entirety of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) present and active in the creation of all that exists (Gen. 1:1-3). Some have said, If you cannot believe Genesis 1:1, then you cannot believe the remainder of the Bible.” The name “Genesis” derives from the first word of the Hebrew text which means “in the beginning.” Genesis was written by Moses to the Israelites to show the history of the Jews from creation to the death of Joseph, to introduce the scheme of redemption (Gen. 3:15), and to show that God had a chosen family (Abraham’s Gen. 3:15). If you wanted to label a “key word” in the book it may be the word “beginning,” a key verse would be Genesis 3:15 (the first Messianic prophecy), and the key chapter would be chapter 1. The book of Genesis covers a time span of nearly 2,500 years of history. A few notable lessons from Genesis are: God is the Creator of all (Gen. 1); marriage was instituted by God (Gen. 2:18-25); and sin has deadly effects (Gen. 3:1-23).

Exodus: Exodus is also written by Moses to the Israelites to show the entry of the Jewish people through the giving of the Law. The key words of the book are “blood” and “delivered,” the key phrase of the book is “let my people go,” and the key verse is Exodus 3:8. Notable lessons from Exodus are: God hears the cries of His people (2:23), God does not accept excuses (3:4), God is greater than man’s gods (12:12), Godly leaders should be supported (17:10-13), God is not worshipped with men’s hands (32:1-10), all of God’s commands are important (chapters 35-40).

Leviticus: Leviticus was written by Moses to the Israelites to detail the offering and sacrifices and consecration of the priests. The key words are “holy,” “offer,” and “blood,” the key phrase is “sweet savour,” and the key verse is 7:37 (list of the offerings). Notable lessons from the book are: God’s commands are serious (10:1-2), God delights in “sweet savour” which man may view as repulsive, life is in the blood (17:11), God is holy and expects holiness (19:2).

Numbers: Numbers was written by Moses to Israel to provide a history of the wilderness wandering. Key words of the book are “work, serve, and war,” a key verse is 14:33 (duration of the wandering), and key passages are 6:22-27 (the blessing of the children of Israel) and chapter 35 (the cities of refuge). Notable lessons from Numbers: Faithlessness breeds fear (13-14), God will be glorified (14:21), rebellion shall not be tolerated (16-17), for salvation one must look to safety (21:6-9).

Deuteronomy: The final book of the Pentateuch is the book of Deuteronomy which was written by Moses to the Israelites to prepare Israel for their entry into Canaan. Key words are “remember, and love,” a key phrase is “Love the Lord thy God,” a key verse is 17:18 (a copy of the law for the king), and key chapters are 27-28 (blessings and curses). Notable lessons from the book are: the lasting reward is for those with pure hearts and just actions (5:29), the Lord requires things of man (10:12-13), the secrets of God are not man’s concern (29:29), man chooses his fate (30:19-20). Miscellaneous note about Deuteronomy is when Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10), He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, and 6:13.

May we continue to study God’s Word in order to have hope from the things that we learn.