God teaches primarily through the events of our lives. Thus, all of history unveils God’s plan for our salvation or what we often call “Salvation History”. In fact, all of scripture is the revelation of God’s plan for salvation history. For this reason, a deep understanding of all of scripture, both the New and Old Testament, is necessary to fully understand God’s loving plan. This is often expressed in the saying, “The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New and the New Testament is revealed in the Old.”

In this continuation of the Sacred Scripture Deep Dive series, today's blog gives a general overview of the first five books of the Bible. Over the next five months, there will be blogs dedicated to each of the books individually. 

What is the Pentateuch?

As we turn our attention to the Old Testament, we are going to begin at the beginning or with the “Pentateuch”. The word Pentateuch means the five writings and, in this case, signifies the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books are more than just the first five books of the Bible. They form the foundation stone of sacred scripture and are the founding document for the nation of Israel.

In ancient Israel, the Pentateuch was not viewed as five separate documents but as a single document which they called the “Torah” which can be translated as the “teaching” or the “law”. Thus, it was a type of constitution for the people of Israel. A unifying and founding document. It was held in the highest regard of all scripture. In fact, some Jews such as the Sadducees did not recognize any other scripture as inspired.  

How to Read the Pentateuch?

The Pentateuch can be roughly divided into two aspects: narrative and law. While these two styles are interwoven, the following breakdown can be useful. 

Genesis provides the origin narrative which includes a primeval history and the founding of the Jewish nation. Genesis is generally divided into two sections. The early portion Genesis 1-11 forms a type of protohistory which may or may not be read as strictly literal history but is focused on the origin of earth and man. This is followed by chapters 12-50 which form a historical narrative of the ancestors of Israel ending in Egypt. 

Exodus then continues the historical narrative. It follows the birth of Israel as a nation. The selection of Moses by God and the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. The book ends with the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, the rebellion of the Israelite people (worshiping the golden calf), and the formation of a new covenant between God and a nation. 

Leviticus is a book of the law. Specifically liturgical law. This is signified in its name, Leviticus, after the priestly tribe of Levi. 

Numbers contains additional laws, but also returns to the historical narrative. It takes its name from the counting or census in chapter one. It then chronicles the wandering of the Israelites in the desert and preparation for the entry into the promised land. A major theme is God’s faithfulness despite the Israel’s constant unfaithfulness. The book ends on the doorstep of the promised land, the Jordan River. 

Deuteronomy provides a second book of the law. This time it is focused on how the Israelites as a people are to follow God. It is also kind of a farewell warning by Moses, who would not enter the promised land himself, of the urgent need of the people to faithfully live the covenant or risk losing the land. He sums his warning as follows: 

“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them.” Deuteronomy 30: 19-20

In this manner, the Pentateuch sets the stage for the rest of salvation history. It establishes the covenant history between God and his people. The remainder of the Old Testament also flows forth from the Pentateuch. Historical books and the writings of the prophets are grounded in a call back to covenant faithfulness after having gone astray. Other books such as the Psalms and Wisdom literature contain advice to help faithfully live the covenant. 

We invite you to begin to explore the Old Testament anew. Expanding your understanding of the Pentateuch will illuminate the all of scripture. It will give you the context to understand the gospels in new ways.