Page 23 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

3. For each individual book of the Pentateuch, the student should be able to l discuss the main message
and main divisions of the particular book of the law.

4. The student should be able to discuss the applications from the five books of the law.

The Lesson ...

Introduction of the Pentateuch

The first five books of the Bible are known as the “Pentateuch” (“5 volume” book). They are also called
the Law or Torah (“instruction”). As a collection of books, they make up the “theological constitution”
for the nation of Israel (Jewish people) and contain the foundational truths revealed by God on which
Christians rest. The Pentateuch covers the period from creation to prepare to enter the promised land of
Canaan. It is not possible to comprehend fully the rest of the Bible without first understanding the
teaching of the Pentateuch.

The Pentateuch is still considered sacred by most Jews and was the first of the three major grouping of
the Hebrew Bible --- Law, Prophets Writings. In the time of Jesus, the religious party (sect) of the
Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as Scripture.

When the term “Law” is used in the Bible and especially in the New Testament it is necessary to
determine from the context of the passage exactly what is referred to, e.g., “Law” may refer to:
 The Torah or Pentateuch
 The Mosaic Law (Exodus 19—Leviticus—Numbers 10)
 Law as a principle or rule

The Pentateuch is critically important because it introduces us to:
• God himself
• The Beginning of the world and man
• Basically, theological concepts like
– Sin
– Salvation
– Sanctification
• What God requires for the right relationship with Him
• God’s redemptive purpose in human history
• God’s provision of a nation through which he would bring Christ into the world as Savior.

In other words, the Pentateuch creates a framework that provides us with some understanding of who
God is, who we are, why God created us, and where to find meaning and purpose in life.

Each of the five books of the Pentateuch will be briefly reviewed for its content and contribution to our
understanding of God and man. Moses is generally acknowledged as the author/compiler of the
Pentateuch.
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