Course Name: [ Old Testament Survey ] Lesson Three: [ The Law ]

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1 Course Name: [ Old Testament Survey ] Lesson Three: [ The Law ] While Genesis is the book of beginnings in the Pentateuch, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy complete this portion of Scripture. They are often called the Books of the Law and cover a number of important years and events in the establishment of Israel as a nation. Through these writings the Lord reveals Himself in amazing, powerful and loving ways. Let s review each of these four books and see how they lay a foundation for understanding God s purposes, His plan and His people. 1. Exodus The story that began in Genesis is continued in the 40 chapters of the book of Exodus. It covers about 85 years of Israel's history. Genesis ends with Joseph and his family living in Egypt. The favor this family originally experienced turned to cruel bondage when the Egyptian administration changed hands. Jacob s family multiplied greatly, but they were subjected to severe bondage and slavery under the new king. Exodus 1:8, (NLT) Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. 12 But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became. 13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy. 14 They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands. God heard Abraham s descendants in their distress and delivered them after approximately 400 years in Egypt. Exodus 2:23-25 (NLT) Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham,

2 Isaac, and Jacob. 25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. A survey of Exodus reveals three major themes: Deliverance from Egypt (chapters 1-18) Giving of the Law (chapters 19-24) Establishment of the tabernacle of Moses (chapters 25-40) Israel s deliverance in Exodus 1-18 is a thrilling story an Old Testament picture of the New Testament reality of redemption from sin through Jesus Christ, our Deliverer. In this section of Scripture we learn about: Moses birth and miraculous preservation Moses call Moses confrontation with Pharaoh The ten plagues The institution of Passover The supernatural deliverance from Egypt An initial exposure of Israel s spiritual problems Beginning in Exodus 19 we find the children of Israel at a significant point in their journey. Three months after leaving Egypt, they arrived at Mount Sinai and were confronted with the authority of God. They met the Lawgiver! Here they were introduced to the covenant, the Ten Commandments and clear instructions to obey God s law. All this was based on the mercy and grace the Lord had shown Israel by delivering them from Egypt and calling them to be His holy people. Exodus 19:4-6 (NLT) You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation. God s law included moral, civil and ceremonial aspects. But, most importantly, the giving of the law to Israel was a significant spiritual event with application to us as New Testament believers. It reveals the moral, holy nature of God along with His requirements of righteousness. It is the law of God that points us to our need for a Savior (see Galatians 3:19-29). Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 2

3 Exodus describes the establishment of the tabernacle of Moses. This presented Israel with its first fully-defined system of priesthood, worship and atonement. The Lord was very specific in the pattern He gave to Moses about this tabernacle because it provided spiritual truth related to the coming of Messiah (see Hebrews 9). Throughout the book of Exodus, we see the presence of God guiding His people. He led them out of Egypt. He led them to Mount Sinai to receive the law and He communicated His heart to lead them all the way into the Promised Land. 2. Leviticus Leviticus means relating to the Levites and deals specifically with the worship of God at the tabernacle of Moses. These 27 chapters emphasize holiness and atonement as keys to this ministry. In fact, the word holy appears more than 80 times in Leviticus as the Israelites are exhorted to honor the Lord and to be holy like Him. Leviticus 11:45 (NIV) I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. A survey of this book reveals several main points of emphasis: Regulations regarding sacrifices and offerings Regulations regarding the priesthood Regulations regarding the people Regulations regarding times and celebrations of worship Consequences connected with obedience and disobedience There are five offerings described in Leviticus 1-5 as expressions of the worship of Israel: Burnt offerings (chapter 1) voluntary Grain offerings (chapter 2) voluntary Fellowship or peace offerings (chapter 3) voluntary Sin offerings (chapter 4) mandatory Guilt offerings (chapter 5) mandatory The Day of Atonement (Hebrew yom kippur) introduced in Leviticus 16 gives us a marvelous portrait of the atonement Christ provided for all who place their faith in Him (see Hebrews 8-10). God was teaching His people the necessity of a blood sacrifice for the atonement of sins. Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 3

4 Leviticus 17:11 (NIV) For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one s life. This was one of the holy days in Israel s calendar that provided opportunities for a special focus of worship. These days included: The Sabbath The Celebration of Passover and Unleavened Bread The Celebration of Firstfruits The Feast of Pentecost The Feast of Trumpets The Day of Atonement The Feast of Tabernacles The Sabbatical Year The Year of Jubilee 3. Numbers Numbers is a sequel to the book of Exodus that begins 13 months after Israel s deliverance from Egypt. The 36 chapters describe Israel s journey from Mount Sinai to the borders of Canaan. Numbers 1:1a (NIV) The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt.... The book can be outlined as follows: Preparing for the journey to Canaan (chapters 1-10) The first attempt to enter Canaan (chapters 10-14) Judgment against Israel s unbelief (chapters 15-20) Preparations for the second opportunity for occupation (chapters 21-36) Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 4

5 4. Deuteronomy The name Deuteronomy comes from the Greek words deuteros (second) and nomos (law). In the 34 chapters of this final book of Moses, God s law was communicated a second time and directed toward the new generation of Israelites as they prepared to possess the Promise Land. It is important to remember that all this is anchored in the Lord s love for His people and His call for them to love Him. This is especially clear in Deuteronomy 6-7, including the central creed of Israel called the Sh ma: Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. This book can be broadly outlined as follows: Moses first message (1:1-4:43) Moses second message (4:44-28:68) Moses third message (29:1-30:20) The leadership transition (31:1-34:12) In his Survey of the Old Testament, I. L. Jensen helps us understand the setting of Deuteronomy and summarizes its message: Israel had reached the border of Canaan. Forty years earlier the nation had been on the border of the land, but because of unbelief and disobedience the people were not allowed to enter. This time they had to tarry on the banks of the Jordan until they learned this one lesson: They must obey their God. God was willing and ready to lead them on to victory and to give them the delights of the land, on the condition that they would bend their stubborn wills and surrender entirely to Him. Moses, the lawgiver, was about to leave them; so he gathered his beloved people around him for the last time and delivered his farewell address Deuteronomy. (This took place on the plains of Moab.) Moses was not able to lead Israel into the Promised Land and passed from the scene at 120 years old 40 years each in Egypt, in the desert and in the wilderness wanderings. The baton of leadership was transferred to a young man named Joshua, who had been Moses servant for many years. Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 5

6 Deuteronomy 31:2, 7-8 (NIV) I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, You shall not cross the Jordan Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. With the close of Deuteronomy, we see the conclusion of a significant period in Israel s history and the dawning of a new day. Led by Joshua they will enter the Promised Land and be established as God s covenant people in the earth, called to fulfill His eternal purposes. Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 6

7 Small Group Discussion Guide Getting Started Read Galatians 3: How does this passage help us understand the role of the law in God s redemptive purposes? Talking It Over Read Exodus 19:4-6. What do these verses tell us about God s grace and mercy to Israel? What do they reveal about His purposes for Israel? Read Leviticus 17:11. What do we learn about atonement from this verse? How is this related to Jesus sacrifice for our sins? What do we learn from Deuteronomy 6:4-7 about who God is and what He wants for His people? We saw that Deuteronomy means second law. Why was it important for Moses to impress God s law on the Israelites for a second time before he died and they entered the Promised Land? Putting the Word to Work How do these Books of the Law speak to you about your walk with God? In what ways are you challenged to love and obey Him more? Memorizing the Word Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Pastor Dale O Shields // The Law // Page 7