STUDY THE BIBLE 9   (STB 9)

“THE PENTATEUCH”
The first five books

The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Bible (penta=five; teuchos=book) which are written by Moses, and called the Books of Moses.

It covers approximately the first 2,600 years of history of the world, from the creation around 4,000 BC, and ending with Israel’s entry of into their promised land of Canaan in 1406BC.

 

 

 

 

Genesis

The word “GENESIS” means ‘origin’, ‘beginning’ or ‘creation’

Contents:

Creation, beginning of the world, Man, Noah’s flood, Hebrew nation, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

In fact, the first seven chapters of Genesis only account for approximately 1,660 years to Noah’s flood in 2340 BC. This is how much God thinks of the history of the world before the flood – just a few pages!

 

 

 

Exodus

The word “EXODUS” means “a going out from or a departing 

In Egypt for 70 years prosperity to start with, and followed by 144 years of brutal slavery,

Contents:

The going out of Egypt, The Ten Commandments, Other laws, The desert Tabernacle

 

 

 

Leviticus

The word “LEVITICUS” means “having to do or belonging to the Levites”

Contents:

The Law first given at Mt Sinai shows how to worship God, The various sacrifices, The priesthood of Levites, The Holy seasons & feasts, Various laws

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers

The word “NUMBERS” means it is a book about the details and specific numbers in each tribe, before their journey starts and before they enter Canaan, plus the events, places, feasts, offerings, setting up camp, trials and instructions and so on. This book is so named because of the two population surveys (census). The first in chapter 1 and the second just before entering Canaan in chapter 26.

Contents:

The forty years in the wilderness and desert, More laws are added, Israel’s journey to the promised land of Canaan.

 

 

 

 

Deuteronomy

The word “DEUTERONOMY” means a “repetition of the law” or “the second time giving of the law” with “deuteron - as second” and “- onomy being the law”.

Final warnings & instructions before entering Canaan. It is the 2nd repeating of the Law on how to serve God

Contents:

Moses’ farewell addresses, The recounting of history, Rehearsal of the principal laws, Solemn warnings

 

 

GENESIS (1st book)

 

A VERY BRIEF TIMELINE from CREATION to the EXODUS  of 2,550 years

 

4,000

BC

approx.

 

(actual 3996 BC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1660

years

Chapter 1: CREATION: A 6 day creation of 24 hours each day. 

Chapter 2: God creates Adam and places him in the garden of Eden along with Eve.  Chapter 3: Adam and Eve sin and are cast out of the garden. 

Chapter 4: Adam has two sons, among others, and Cain kills Abel. God marks Cain (v15) as a sign of lifelong contempt, and that no-one should kill him.

Chapter 5: Lists the generations from Adam to Noah. Adam lived for 930 years, Seth 912 years, Enos 905 years, Cainen 910 years, Mahalaleel 895 years, Jared 962 years, Enoch 365 years, Methuselah 969 years, Lamech 777 years, Noah 950 years. Today, people rarely get to 80+ years because of the accumulation of sin and sins over 6,000 years, that have weakened everyone’s body.

Chapter 6: Pre-flood wickedness in the world. The sons of God being spirit beings came to earth and had sex with the physical daughters of men. See 2Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. The offspring were giants who had incredible and supernatural power. Their superior intelligence and extraordinary power helped the Egyptians lift the huge stones used in building the pyramids.

2340

BC

 

 

 

340

years

Chapter 7-8:  NOAH’S FLOOD: God floods the whole world over the highest mountains. Eight people – Noah and wife, his three sons and wives, and the animals, were in the ark for 177 days.

Chapter 9-10: Noah and sons replenish the earth. When Noah is drunk, Ham, his son, has sex with Noah and his mother, and so Ham is cursed as God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. (Genesis 9:27) Noah’s prophecy and curse still exists today. The descendants of Ham (Africa) are to be servants in the world; Shemites (the Jews) to preserve the true knowledge of God; the Japhetic races to have the largest portion of the world and to replace the Semitic races as the teachers of God.

2000

BC

 

 

 

50

years

Chapter 9: It is around this time in 2,000BC, that in the days of Peleg, God divides the earth’s one great land mass into continents (Gen 10:25) as we have today like Africa, Australia, Europe and North America and so on. 

Chapter 10: Noah had three sons – Ham goes South to Africa, Japheth goes North and settles in Europe, and Shem are the Jews and the Arabs today. Nimrod, who marries his mother Semiramis, is the founder of Babylon and Ninevah. Other languages can sound like ‘babble’ (Babel).

Chapter 11: The TOWER OF BABEL (in Babylon) is started but God scatters everyone with different languages into different continents, because with one language nothing, will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do (Gen 11:6-8). 

The world is returning to one language today – English!

1951

BC

 

 

 

100 years

Chapter 12: ABRAHAM IS BORN. In 1876 BC, when 75 years old and living in Ur in Babylon, God tells him to go to Haran and he will make of him a great nation (the Jews) and all the nations of the earth will be blessed as well (Gen 12:1-4).

Chapter 13: Abraham and Lot separate 

Chapter 14: Abraham defeats the Babylonian kings.

Chapter 15 God’s promises to Abraham renewed. Abraham is 99 years old

Chapter 16: Hagar cast out; Ishmael born

Chapter 17: Abraham circumcised; Ishmael 13 years old

Chapter 18 God threatens to destroy Sodom

Chapter19: Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed; Lot’s daughters with Lot have Moab and Ammon as sons

Chapter 20: Abraham lies to Abimelech about Sarah

1851

BC

75 years

Chapter 21 ISAAC BORN. Abraham is 100 and Sarah 90 years old.

Chapter 22: Abraham offers to sacrifice Isaac

Chapter 23: Sarah’s death

Chapter 24: Isaac marries Rebekah

1791 BC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128 Years

 

 

 

 

Chapter 25: JACOB and ESAU BORN; Esau sells birthright to Jacob

Chapter 26: Famine, so Isaac goes to Philistines & Abimelech and prospers;

Chapter 27: Jacob deceives Isaac his father  

Chapter 28: Jacob’s vision at Bethel of God’s promise of success

Chapter 29-31: Jacob works for Laban for 20 years (31:41) and has 13 children of 12 boys (to be the tribes of Israel) and Dinah, of two wives of Leah and Rachel and maid servants Zilpah and Bilhah

Chapter 32: Jacob wrestles with angel and has name change to Israel

Chapter 33: Reconciliation between Jacob and Esau

Chapter 34: Shechem molests Dinah; Simeon and Levi retaliate & kill the Hivites Chapter 35: God renews the covenant at Bethel with Jacob

Chapter 36: The generations of Esau

1663BC Famine begins

Chapter 37: Joseph sold into Egypt when 17 years old.

Chapter 38: Judah molests Tamar his daughter in law

Chapter 39: Joseph prospers in Egypt; Joseph thrown in prison falsely accused

Chapter 40: Meets the butler and baker in prison

Chapter 41: Pharaoh’s two dreams of seven thin cattle eating seven fat cattle, and seven full ears of grain eating seven thin ears; Joseph put 2nd in charge in Egypt

Chapter 42-44: Joseph’s brother go to Egypt two years into the famine, to buy corn

Chapter 45: Joseph reveals himself to his brothers

1663-1656

7 years

 

 

FAMINE

1661

BC

71 years

Chapter 46-47: ISRAEL (JACOB) ENTERS EGYPT: Prospers with sons and their families Chapter 48: Jacob blesses Joseph’s two children Manasseh and Ephraim Chapter 49: Jacob’s prophecy for the twelve tribes Chapter 50: Death of Jacob and Joseph

1590

144yr

SLAVERY IN EGYPT: Bitter and hard bondage

1446 BC

40 years

THE EXODUS from Egypt with all the events contained in the books of EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY with all five books written by Moses



 

 

 

EXODUS (2nd book)

The word “EXODUS” means “a going out from or a departing” and begins the story of Moses himself, as he leads Israel out of slavery in Egypt, and with his own life and work being the subject matter of Exodus, Number, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The story of Moses makes up about one-seventh of the whole Bible, and is about two-thirds as large as the New Testament.

It outlines Israel’s time of 215 years in Egypt (not 400 years as commonly thought, as this figure is the total time he left Ur to the exodus from Egypt) with 71 years of prosperity followed by 144 years of brutal slavery (as “…there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” Ex 1:8), the going out of Egypt (the exodus); the Ten Commandments given at Mt Sinai in Arabia (not the Sinai Peninsula); other laws were added as they travelled over the years; the Tabernacle (tent) in the desert. There are three main parts: 1. ISRAEL IN EGYPT chapters 1-15 2. FROM THE RED SEA TO MT SINAI chapters 16-18 3. Israel at Mt Sinai chapters 19-40

 

                   1.   ISRAEL IN EGYPT chapters 1-15 

 

Chapter 1: Israel makes bricks under the whip; decree to kill Jewish babies  

Chapter 2: Baby Moses in a basket on the water; grows up, kills an Egyptian and flees

Chapter 3: Moses and the burning bush

Chapter 4: Moses’ rod turns into a snake; hand turns leprous; gets circumcised

Chapter 5: Faces Pharaoh who won’t let Israel go

Chapter 6: God renews covenant with Moses  

Chapter 7: Moses defeats Pharaoh’s magicians; plague #1 river water to blood

Chapter 8: Plagues #2 frogs #3 lice #4 flies 

Chapter 9: #5 cattle disease #6 boil #7 hail 

Chapter 10: #8 locusts #9 darkness 

Chapter 11: #10 kills first-born children of the Egyptians

Chapter 12: Passover and blood on door-posts 

Chapter 13: Unleavened bread; start of journey C

Chapter 14: Come to the Red Sea at the bottom of the Sinai Peninsula and Moses calls on God to cross the Gulf of Aqaba not the Gulf of Suez. They would cross into Arabia where Mt Sinai is situated. The Egyptian army drowned

Chapter 15: Victory song of Moses  

 

2. FROM THE RED SEA TO MT SINAI chapters 16-18

 

Chapter 16: Israel murmurs with hunger, manna sent from heaven

Chapter 17: Water from the rock; Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ hands fighting the Amalekites

Chapter 18: Israel come to Mt Sinai in Arabia; Moses appoints rulers to judge civil matters

 

3. ISRAEL AT MT SINAI chapters 19-40

 

Chapter 19: Moses goes up Mt Sinai, smoke, fire; people told not to touch the mountain 

Chapter 20: Moses given the Ten Commandments from God

Chapter 21-24 Other commandments given: Laws about slavery, death for murder, kidnapping, cursing parents, “eye for an eye”, stealing, damage to crops, seduction, scorcery, cohabitation with animals, idolatry, kindness to widows and orphans, lending, pledges, curse not a ruler, first fruits, first born, false reports, mobs, justice, looking after animals, bribes, strangers, Sabbath, Sabbatical year, Passover, Feast of Harvest, Feast of Ingathering, baby goats not to be boiled in mother’s milk, no covenants with Canaanites, rewards for obedience.

Chapter 25-31: Directions, instructions and measurements for the Tabernacle (tent).

Chapter 32-33: Moses goes up mountain, golden calf made and destroyed, 3,000 men die

Chapter 34: Moses up the Mount again  comes down with ‘second lot’ of ten Commandments

Chapter 35 -40: The Tabernacle built

 


LEVITICUS (3rd book)

Exodus is the record of remission of past sins, and lays the foundation of the cleansing, worship and service for Israel. Leviticus gives the details of the walk, worship and service of that people.

In Exodus, God speaks out of the Mount at Sinai, to which any approach was forbidden.

In Leviticus, God speaks out of the Tabernacle (tent) in which he dwells in the midst of his people. God tells them what will be suitable for his holiness, as they approach and have communion with him.

 

A. THE WAY TO GOD THROUGH SACRIFICES  chater 1-15

 

 

THE OFFERINGS chapters 1-7

                          Sweet                        Sin                                   Law of Offerings

                Burnt  Meat Peace         Sin    Trespass           Burnt  Meat  Peace  Sin  Trespass 

                    1        2       3               4       5 - 6:7                             6:8 - 7

 

 

THE OFFERINGS EXPLAINED:  

The offerer to lay on hands to identify with animal Lev 1:4

1. BURNT offeringsfor what we should have done - PERFECT OBEDIENCE.

Voluntary. Complete consecration of offerer to God Rom 12:1. It was burned.

Jesus Christ: Eph 5:2; Heb 9:14 ‘whole’ ;Deut 33:10.

2. MEAT offerings – for what we should have been PERFECT IN CHARACTER.

Consecration of the offerer’s work and possessions.

No leaven, honey or frankincense but salt and oil used. It was burned.

Jesus Christ: corn of wheat Jn 12:24 – bruised/crushed/baked; The bread of Life. Jn 19:28.

3. PEACE offerings – for what we should have enjoyed – PERFECT PEACE WITH GOD.

Reconciliation of the offerer to God.

Wave and heave. Offerer eats remainder Deut 12:7. It was burned.

Jesus Christ: Rom 5:1; Col 1:20.

4. SIN offerings – for what we were - SINFUL AND GUILTY.

Atonement of offerer’s sin. It was burned.

Jesus Cnrist: 2Cor 5:21; 1Pet 2:24.

5. TRESPASS offerings – for what we have doneSINNED AND TRESPASSED.

No oil/frankincense. Restitution (paying back) for offerer’s trespass. It was burned.

Jesus Christ: Col 2:13-14; 2Cor 5:19.

 

THE PRIESTHOOD chapters 8-10

Consecration  Work  Punishment

8               9             10

 

LAWS OF PURITY (for people) chapter 11-15

Food     Motherhood     Leprosy     Uncleanness

      11              12              13-14             15

 

B. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT chapter 16

 

C. THE WALK WITH GOD THROUGH SEPARATION chapters 17-27

 

THE LAWS OF HOLINESS   chapters 17-22

          People 17-20                                  Priests 21-22:16                        Offerings 22:17-33

    17 Sacrifice place and blood       21 Dead; Baldness; Marriage; Deformity        no blemishes

  18 Incest and lying with animals     22 Uncleanness; Eat holy things

    19-20 Daily walk

                                   THE FEASTS  chapter 23    Sabbath and the 7 Feasts  

Passover, Unleavened bread, First fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles

 

        THE CIVIL LAWS chapters 24-27

Oil and shewbread (24:1-9); Blasphemy and Killing (24:10-23);

Sabbatical (25:1-7); Jubilee (25:8-24); Inheritance (25:25-34); Poor brother (25:35-55);

Blessings & Cursings (26:1-15); Law of the Vow & Dedicated things (27:1-34)

 

NUMBERS (4th book)

 

The word “NUMBERS” means it is a book about the details and specific numbers in each tribe, before their journey starts and before they enter Canaan, plus the events, places, feasts, offerings, setting up camp, trials and instructions and so on. This book is so named because of the two population surveys (census). The first in chapter 1 and the second just before entering Canaan in chapter 26.

It outlines the forty years in the wilderness and desert; more laws are added; Israel’s journey to the promised land of Canaan.

The forty years in the wilderness; Israel’s journey into the promised land

The book of Numbers is so named because of the two population census,

with the 1st in chapter 1  and the 2nd in chapter 26

The book of numbers is absolutely profound in meaning. “Go forward into the Promised Land (Canaan) or you will die and go to hell.” Those over 20 years of age were turned back and killed by God for refusal to enter into Canaan.

This Old Testament book is the equivalent of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, where Paul urges the Messiah believing Jews to the salvation which can only be found in Christ. If not,

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened… If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  Hebrews 6:4-6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

In the book of Numbers, they are urged to go into their earthly salvation in the Promised Land.

In the book of Hebrews, they are urged to enter their heavenly salvation to be found in Christ.

The book of Numbers takes up the story where Exodus left it, and is a book of their wilderness wanderings that takes place after their failure to enter Canaan at Kadesh-barnea the 1st time.

In Numbers, nothing is left to self-will. Every servant was numbered, knew his place in the family and has his own definitely assigned service. The final outcome is that Israel, tested by their wilderness wanderings, was an utter failure, as outlined in the Book of Deuteronomy.

 

1.  DEPARTURE from Egypt     1st year, 1st month, 15th day

                       (360 days in the year with 30 days in the month)     

Red Sea crossing

At Marah: with the bitter waters, Elim, Wilderness of Sin

              People murmur

              Quails and Manna                                                                              2nd month, 15th day

At Rephidim: water from the Rock

              Battle with Amalek, Jethro (Moses father-in-law)

At Mt Sinai: Ten Commandments, covenant                                                      3rd month

              Book of laws; Moses 40 days up Mt Sinai

              Golden calf; Moses second lot of 40 days up Mt Sinai

              Tabernacle (tent) built; Census (population count)               2nd year, 2nd month, 1st day

              Go forward from Mt Sinai                                                   2nd year, 2nd month, 20th day

              Had been at Mt Sinai about a year

At Taberah: Fire, Quails, Plague

At Hazeroth: Sedition (rebellion) of Miriam and Aaron

At Kadesh-barnea (1st time): Spies are sent; People are afraid & rebel; Moses intercedes;

              People defeated; More laws; Korah; 14,700 die; Aaron’s rod

 

 

 

                                   2. 38 MORE YEARS wandering in the surrounding wilderness

This gap of 38 years occurs between the 19th and 20th chapters of Numbers.

 This time starts at Kadesh for the 1st time, when the spies bring back reports of giants (13:26) and they refuse to go to Canaan. God lets them wander for 38 years.

Their final departure for Canaan, after 38 years, starts from Kadesh again, for the 2nd time.

 

 

3.  FINAL START FOR CANAAN

 

At Kadesh-barnea (2nd time):                                                       40th year, 1st month

            Miriam’s death, Water from the Rock; Moses’ sin of not speaking to the Rock but striking twice

            Final start for Canaan

            Edom refuses passage

At Mt Hor: Aaron’s death                                                                                    5th month

             Israel defeats the Canaanites

             Go South from Mt Hor: Serpents

             East and North around Edom

             Then North along the East border of Moab

             Conquer Amorites: Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan

             Camp on plains of Moab

             Balak and Balaam; Sin of Peor; 24,000 slain; Census

             Destruction of Midianites

             Two & a half tribes settle East of Jordan

             Moses’ farewell; Moses’ death                                              40th year, 11th month, 1st day

             They cross the Jordan                                                         41st year, 1st month, 10th day

             Keep the Passover; Manna ceases                                        41st year, 1st month, 14th day

 

 

Chapter 1: The Census: The first of two census (numbering of the people). Taken at Mt Sinai showed 603,550 males above the age of 20 (Num 1:45-46. Levites were not to be numbered (Num 1:47). The second census, 38 years later, showed 601,730. (see chapter 36)

Chapter 2-4: Organisation of the camp Every detail was assigned (given) with military precision. This was necessary in handling so vast a multitude. The arrangement of the tribes was

  WEST                                                 NORTH                                            EAST

                                                                                                          

                          Dan                                          Asher                                   Naphtali

                        62,700                                         41,500                                    53,400

 

Benjamin                                                                                                                              Judah

35,400                                                                6,200                                                          74,600

                                                                       MERARITES

Manasseh                        GERSHONITES  THE TABERNACLE      MOSES                  Issachar

32,200                                   7,500                 KOHATHITES                 AARON                   54,400

                                                                          8,600

                                                                               

Ephraim                                                                                                                                 Zebulon

  40,500                                                                                                                                57,400

                         GAD                                              SIMEON                                REUBEN

                        45,650                                           59,300                                   46,500

 

SOUTH

 

When they broke camp, Judah and the Eastern Tribes led the march.

In the centre, was the Tabernacle with the Southern and Western Tribes front and rear.

The Northern Tribes brought up the rear.

 

Chapter 5-6: A group of laws: About lepers; Restitution (paying what is owed for damages); Women suspected of adultery; Vows; Benediction (prayer at the end)

Chapter 7-9: Preparation for the journey: Offerings of the Princes; Dedication of the Tabernacle (tent); Levites consecrated; Passover observed; Cloud (Num 9:15-25)

Chapter 10-11: They set forward to the Promised Land: They were at Mt Sinai for one year. The cloud lifted. The silver trumpets sounded. Judah led the march. And they were on their way. Within three days, at Taberah, they began murmuring. That was their speciality. They knew how to complain. God sent them quails, but smote them with a plague (See Exodus 16).

Chapter 12: Sedition of Miriam and Aaron: Miriam given leprosy. Moses went to the Lord (v3).

Chapter 13-14: The twelve spies sent to Canann. Moses had planned to go directly from Mt Sinai to Canaan. He went straight to Kadesh (at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba) which was 150 miles North of Mt Sinai, intending to enter Canaan straight away. But the spies brought a very discouraging report. The people refused to go on, and would have stoned Moses if God had not miraculously intervened.

WITHIN THE SIGHT OF THE PROMISED LAND, THEY TURNED BACK.

FOR THEM THE OPPORTUNITY NEVER RETURNED.

JOSHUA AND CALEB AND THE TWO SPIES THAT WANTED TO GO FORWARD, WERE THE ONLY ONES OF THE 600,000 MEN OVER THE AGE OF 20, WHO LIVED TO ENTER CANAAN.

Chapter 15-19: Various laws; Korah goes to hell. Korah, jealous of Moses, sought to usurp his leadership. Moses went straight to God, and God settled the matter in no time. The earth opened up, and the rebels went down to hell.

There is a gap of 38 years between the 19th and 20th chapters of Numbers.

 This time covers their first arrival at Kadesh (13:26) and

their final departure, in the 40th year, from Kadesh for Canaan.

 

Chapter 20: In the 33rd chapter, there is a list of where they camped. 40 in all and 18 of them were between Rithmah and Kadesh. These encampments are at places that can’t be identified today. They went back, forward and round about for 38 years. And this is how it is today for unsaved people – their lives are just wasted. Furthermore, the same can be said for saved people. You can just keep going around in circles. Moses’ sin was his failure to obey God. He struck the Rock twice instead of once (10:12). Miriam, aged 130, dies at Kadesh (v1), Aaron, aged 123, at Mt Hor (v28) and Moses, aged 120, at Mt Nebo (Deut 34:1,5).

Chapter 21: From Kadesh to Jordan: They go up the East side of the Dead Sea but the Edomites refuse them permission. (They must labour to get into the Promised Land just like Paul says in his Epistle to the Hebrews. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11.) Then Moses turns South down the Araba, the desolate valley extending from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, “a great and terrible wilderness”, for the long, circuitous (circular and round about) and hazardous route around Edom and Moab, and then North, along the borders of Arabia, as far as Bashan, which is East of the Sea of Galilee. Then South-West to the plains of Moab, which is opposite Jericho. God commands Moses not to molest the Edomites (Esau), Moabites or Ammonites (the two daughters of Lot), even though they tried to stop Israel.

The Fiery Serpent (v 6-9) is an actual event and a picture to come of the gospel. As those who were bitten by poisonous serpents looked to the Brazen Serpent, and were healed; so, if we, who have been wounded by sin, look to Jesus, we shall live (John 3:14). The Israelites afterward made an idol of the Brazen Serpent, called it Nehushtan, and burned incense to it, till 700 years later, Hezekiah destroyed it (2Kings 18:4)

Conquest of Gilead and Bashan (v21-35). The land to the East of Jordan was now Israel’s.  

Chapter 22-25: Balak and Balaam: Balaam’s prophecies (24:17) were a remarkable prediction of Israel’s place in history, through a “Star” to arise out of Jacob (24:17). Though God used him to utter correct prophecy, yet Balaam, for money, initiated (started) and condoned Israel’s shameful sin with the Moabite and Midianite women, for which Balaam was slain, and 24,000 died (31:8, 16). Balaam is mentioned in the New Testament (2Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14).

Chapter 26: The 2nd Census:

Chapter 27: Brotherless daughters and their inheritance

Chapter 28-29: Feasts and offerings

Chapter 30: Vows

Chapter 31: Slaughter of the Midianites

Chapter 32: Two and a half tribes settle East of Jordan (Reuben, Gad, half of Manasseh)

Chapter 33: Summary diary of the their travel over 40 years

Chapter 34: Directions for the division of land (see Joshua 13)

Chapter 35: The Levitical cities (see Joshua 21)

Chapter 36: Brotherless daughters and their inheritance

 

***** ***** *****

DEUTERONOMY (5TH BOOK)

 

Deuteronomy is called The Second Law with “deutero- meaning two” and “-onomy meaning law”. Because of their disobedience at the end of their second year out of Egypt, God let Israel wander in the desert for another 38 years, till all those men over the age of 20, died, except for Joshua and Caleb. So there is brand new generation, now aged 60 years, that would not remember much about the law when it was given the first time in the books of Leviticus, Exodus and Numbers, with the Ten Commandments being given at Mt Sinai and further laws added during their wanderings. They are given the Law a 2nd time.

In Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, laws have been given at various intervals. Now their wanderings are over, and on the eve of their entrance into Canaan, these laws are rehearsed and explained, in anticipation of, and with applications to, their new life in their promised land. This book covers a period of five weeks from the beginning of Moses speaking on the 1st day of the 11th month of the 40th year to 1st day of the 12th month of the same year. Moses dies aged 120 years.

 

 

There is a similarity between Paul the apostle and Moses. As Paul writes to the Christian churches with commandments of the Lord (1Corinthians 14:37) outlining their conduct in their promised land, being in Jesus Christ, so Moses instructs Israel with the commandments from God as to their conduct in Canaan, their physical promised land.

The Book of Deuteronomy is different from the other first four books, in that there is a revealing of the ‘spiritual’ nature of the Law.  Christians, knowing the glory that came with the Prophet (Deut 18:15,18), Jesus Christ, can gain great benefit from Deuteronomy, by comparing and contrasting with the writings of Paul. Many of these Deuteronomistic laws given over 2,400 years ago, will surely strengthen, and lend substance to, Paul’s doctrine, considering the dark world in which we now live.  

The key phrase of “Thou shalt” underline a stern and serious God who tells Israel they are a stiffnecked and rebellious people (Deut 31:27), with the key verse Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;” Deuteronomy 11:26

There are seven sections:

1.    Summary of the history of Israel in the wilderness (chapters 1-3)

2.    A restating the Ten Commandments with warnings and exhortations (chapter 4-11)

3.    Instructions, warnings and predictions (chapters 12-27)

4.    Prophecies concerning Israel and 2nd coming of the Lord (chapters 28-30)

5.    Last instructions to the priests, Levites and Joshua (chapter 31)

6.    The song of Moses and his parting blessings to each of the tribes (chapters 32-33)

7.    The death of Moses (chapter 34)

Moses, representing the law and having been given it at Mt Sinai, was never going to be allowed into the promised land of Canaan by God. Why? You can’t enter salvation by the works of the law!!! And this applies today. God says to them they will enter Canaan, not because of their goodness, but because of God’s mercy. God also tells them that they will utterly corrupt themselves once they have entered as well. Just like Christians today, that is, the closer you get to God, the more corrupt you find that you are!

 

 

Chapter 1:

 

Chapter 2:

 

Chapter 3:

 

 

Chapter 4:

 

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

 

Chapter 9:

 

Chapter 10:

 

Chapter 11:

 

 

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

 

Chapter 15:

Chapter 16:

 

Chapter 17:

Chapter 18:

Chapter 19:

Chapter 20:

 

Chapter 21:

Chapter 22:

 

Chapter 23:

 

Chapter 24:

Chapter 25:

 

Chapter 26:

Chapter 27:

 

 

Chapter 28:

Chapter 29:

Chapter 30:

 

 

Chapter 31:

 

 

 

Chapter 32:

 

Chapter 33:

 

Chapter 34:

 

    1.   Summary of the history of Israel in the wilderness (chapters 1-3)

Moses gives a brief summary of what has taken place, from their leaving of Mt Horeb (Mt Sinai) to their coming to Kadesh a 2nd time

Their travels from Kadesh till they come to the country of the Amorites, with the defeat of Sihon their king

The war with Og, the king of Bashan, with the dividing of his land, and that of Sihon, among the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh.

     2.   Restate the 10 Commandments with warnings and exhortations (chap 4-11)

Moses exhorts them to obey God’s laws, and threatens those that would break them. He appoints three cities of refuge – Bezer, Ramoth, Golan

Repeats the Ten Commandments and what effect it had on the people who heard them

Urges them to love God with all their heart and promises them good things

Repeats the command to wipe out the Canaanites and their idolatry

Reminds them of God’s kindness to them in their 40 years of travel, to remember his mercies and not forfeit his future favours by being ungrateful and disobedient

Tells them they’ll pass over the Jordan River soon, but that God will do this not because of their goodness but because of his mercy.

Tells about the 2nd giving of the Ten Commandments, the choosing of the Levites, and the necessity of having a circumcised heart

Tells of God’s mighty acts, and the blessings at Mt Gerizim and curses at Mt Ebal that would come by obeying or disobeying

     3.   Instructions, warnings and predictions (chapters 12-27)

Destroy all idols in the land, & have different offerings and sacrifices, & avoid eating blood

Actions to take against false prophets and idolatrous cities

Forbids cutting themselves at funerals, restates the law about clean and unclean animals, and to remember the Levites

Every 7th year the poor to be released, of deceitful money practices (usury), the first born

Annual feasts of Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles; establish judges and officers; no groves near the altar of God

Death to idolators, hard cases to superior officers, the king and his duties

All divination to be outlawed; promise of The Prophet (18:18); how to detect false prophets

Laws regarding the cities of refuge; treatment of an intentional murderer.

The laws of war; who should stay home from the army; treatment of Canaanites, how to commence sieges

Ceremony for uncertain murders; marriages with captives; rights of the first-born

Lost, stray animals and property rights; men and women not to dress in each other clothes; no improper mixtures; tokens of virginity; adulterers – men and women to put to death

Eunuchs, bastards, Moabites, Ammonites not to enter the congregation of the Lord; harlots not tolerated

Divorce; newly married men; pledges, wages and gleanings

No more than 40 stripes be given; brother to take a dead brother’s wife if childless; weights and measures

First fruit offerings; tithes,; self-consecration to God

The words of the law to be written on stones and set up on Mt Ebal. The tribes would stand on Mt Gerizim to bless the obedient, and those on Mt Ebal would curse the disobedient

      4.   Prophecies concerning Israel and 2nd coming of the Lord (chap 28-30)

The blessings of those who are faithful, and curses against the disobedient

A recital of the covenant of God

Promises of pardon for those who were repentant; good and evil, and life and death set before them

     5.   Last instructions to the priests, Levites and Joshua (chap 31)

Moses now 120 yeas old, delivers a copy of the law which he had written into the hands of the priests to be put into the small container called the Ark of the Covenant (not Noah’s ark) and to be read in public every 7 years

      6.   Song of Moses & his parting blessings to each of the tribes (chap 32-33)

The prophetic and historical song of Moses; and he is commanded to go up Mt Nebo to view the promised land.

The prophetical blessings of the 12 tribes; and the happiness of Israel

      7.   The death of Moses (chapter 34)

Moses view the promised land from the top of Mt Nebo, dies, and is privately buried by the Lord. Israel mourn him for 30 days. Joshua takes command of the people.

 


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Jude

Debate has raged over the centuries, and still continues today, as to the
identity of Jude.
There are seven possibilities:
                                                                                                     
 

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