Pentateuch Genesis: In the Book of Genesis,

Pentateuch

Genesis:

In the Book of Genesis, God creates the universe. He begins with the creation of light and then in the following days creates all the things that exist in the world, including mankind. God wants man to be his avatar on Earth, but mankind fails him. First man and woman are thrown out of the Garden of Eden and thrust out into the cruel world. God gets so fed up with humanity that he floods the world, having Noah stay alive with two of every animal to repopulate the world. The new world is equally corrupt but God promises not to flood the world again. Instead he assigns Abraham the task of breeding and teaching His word to the Jews, the chosen people of God. Genesis ends with the Jews traveling to Egypt where they will become the slaves of the Egyptians and punished for practicing the worship of their one true God rather than accepting Egyptian polytheism.

Outline:

God creates the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve and the pair are thrown out of the Garden

Cain and Abel are born and the first murder is committed by Cain.

III. God floods the world after asking Noah to take his family and two of every animal on an ark.

IV. Abraham is made the Father of Judaism and told to teach the religion to others.

V. God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah and turns Lot's wife to salt.

VI. The Jews travel to Egypt where they become enslaved.

Practical Application: God is vengeful and the memory of His actions against those who anger Him should remind people to follow the rules and law imposed by His word.

Exodus:

In the book of Exodus, the Jewish people are finally granted freedom from slavery in Egypt. Moses who is raised as an Egyptian learns that he was born Jewish. God tells him that he must lead the Jews out of Egypt and works to obtain their freedom from the Pharaoh. God sends plagues to the Egyptian people in the form of frogs, locusts, and finally by killing the first-born son of the Egyptian's and proving that the Jews were his chosen people by passing over their homes. For the next forty years Moses leads the Jews through the desert until they finally reach Israel. During the journey, Moses goes to Mt. Sinai where God gives him the Ten Commandments which Moses then passes to the other Jews. This required a complete change in life style for many including the stoppage of sacrifice and carving of graven images.

Outline:

I. The Jewish people are enslaved by the Egyptians and forbidden to study their religion.

II. Moses is ordered by God in the form of a burning bush to free his fellow Jews.

III. God sends the first plagues to punish the Egyptians.

IV. God kills the first-born sons of the Egyptians and passes over the homes of the Jewish people.

V. The Jews travel through the desert for forty years.

VI. Moses climbs the mountain and is given the Ten Commandments of God.

Practical Application: The Ten Commandments are the established rules of the Judeo-Christian religion. They must be followed by everyone regardless of the laws of the land.

Leviticus:

In the book of Leviticus, the rules and customs of the Jewish religion are numerated and explained. The reason behind this is that mankind is inherently sinful and in order to worthy themselves for communication with God, they must abide by these rules. A small section of the population was considered appropriate to become priests; these were called the Levites. There can be certain types of sacrifice but they must be performed according to a specified ritual. One of the most importance components of these rituals is the concept of cleanliness and keeping clean. Another law of God, the Day of Atonement called Yom Kippur is explained. All of the rules and customs of the Jewish people are explained and their importance to Almighty God as well.

Outline:

I. The laws concerning legal sacrifice are explained.

II. The laws of how to clean and purify things are explained.

III. The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is explained.

IV. The laws regarding who may be a priest are explained as are the appropriate behaviors of all believers.

V. The dangers of not following the rules of the word of God are explained and explored.

Practical Application: All of the Jewish people are expected to know these rules and follow them. This is true for Christians as well. By keeping the holy days and performing the rituals that are expected of them by God, it is possible to keep in God's good graces and avoid his anger and wrath.

The book of Numbers starts with the Israelites learning the laws of God. They are given the job of securing and taking control of Israel which is the Jewish Holy Land. The Israelites arrive at Canaan but are too afraid or stubborn to take over the land. God condemns them to die in the harsh wilderness until a future generation is willing to perform God's task. God has promised his chosen people that He loves them. Further, He has promised that they are destined for greatness and to be in control of the land of Canaan. However, in exchange for these gifts, the people are responsible for fulfilling His wishes. When the people fail to do so, they are reciprocally devoid of his gifts and his presence.

Outline:

I. The Tabernacle is consecrated.

II. Throughout the journey to Canaan, the Israelites complain and question Moses, their leader.

III. The Israelites send scouts into Canaan and decided that it is not safe to try to take over the land, defying God's will.

IV. Korah and his group rebelled against Moses and the Israelites, a rebellion which failed.

V. Phineas is granted God's friendship for all of time.

Practical Application: The people who reject the request of God see Him turn on them and force them to suffer for their choices. Consequently, it can be said that in the modern time, God still expects people to obey Him and the word of God.