Book Overviews
Genesis: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion
Moses authored the first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Genesis was probably delivered to the people of God at the foot of Mount Sinai in approximately 1250BC. The Israelites needed to know their own history. They needed to know the God that had just delivered them from Egypt. So, most generally, Genesis was probably aimed at answering the question: Where did Israel come from? The story is an extended introduction to the Exodus. As it tells the story of Israel’s relationship with God, it does so within the larger context of the origins of the universe and of all humanity. Amazingly, it covers thousands of years of human history in a mere fifty chapters!
Genesis appears to be based on a combination of written records, oral tradition (which was much more reliable in antiquity than it is today), and, of course, divine revelation. At fifty chapters long, it can be tough to follow the larger plot line of the book. The following Outline and Themes are designed to help you track the larger storyline and not get lost in the details.
Outline
Genesis naturally divides into 10 sections, and each begins with the phrase “these are the generations of…”
| Introduction | Gen 1:1—2:3 | ||
| 1. | The heavens and the earth | Gen 2:4 | Creation, Covenant, Fall |
| 2. | Adam | Gen. 5:1 | Genealogy Adam -> Noah |
| 3. | Noah | Gen 6:9 | Flood |
| 4. | Noah's Sons | Gen. 10:1 | Separation of Nations |
| 5. | Shem | Gen 11:10 | Genealogy Noah -> Abraham |
| 6. | Terah (Abraham) | Gen 11:27 | Abraham |
| 7. | Ishmael | Gen 25:12 | |
| 8. | Isaac | Gen 25:19 | Isaac |
| 9. | Esau | Gen 36:1 | |
| 10. | Jacob | Gen. 37:2 | Jacob, Joseph |
Across these 10 sections, we see the story of universal history (chapters 1-11) and the origin of the nation of Israel (chapters 12-50). Some have said that Genesis is a collection of hero stories. These heroes are unique people in God’s dealings with humanity, but they also represent the human condition generally. Their heroism encourages us to emulate their heroism, but it also points us forward to the Bible’s central hero—Jesus
Themes
As a book of beginnings, Genesis plants many themes that are watered, nurtured, and cultivated by the rest of the 40 biblical writers over a period of 1600 years. Recognizing these themes will help you as you read.
Chapters 1-3 form the foundation of a Biblical Worldview. These are answers to the big questions that explain the world and our lives in it.
Creation—Where did we come from? God is the source of all that exists. Though there are various interpretations of the creation story (some literal, some metaphorical, some that combine both), Genesis is clear that God is the one through whom all things came into being. The world is filled with the goodness, beauty, and purpose of God. The creation theme in Genesis leads the Bible to describe salvation as a new creation. Though the world and people move away from God, God’s solution to the wrong in the world is comprehensive, and will not stop until everything is restored and remade.
Covenant— Who are we? People are the crowning achievement of God’s creative work. We are made to reflect God and to be in relationship with him. Genesis introduces God as one who makes and keeps promises. To be in covenant with God means that he is binding himself to you—he guarantees that he will keep his word. Think of covenant like an adoption—it’s both legal and relational, contract and relationship. God and people commit themselves in vows, and create a relationship of love and service, of care and honor. To be in the covenant means that you are committed to God, and God is committed to you and your children. This covenant relationship is traced throughout the Bible, with God’s promises growing larger and greater and deeper each time that covenant is renewed. Genesis traces the covenant from Adam and Eve to Noah, and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Fall—What went wrong? The tragic reality is that people do not always live according to God’s good intentions. In the freedom of their own will, humanity rebelled against God’s goodness and left their covenant relationship with God. This departure has vandalized the entire creation, especially marring the way that people live as individuals and in community.
Redemption—How can it be fixed? In response to the fall, God makes a new covenant to rescue people. God acts to re-establish a relationship with people, and he promises to fix the effects of the fall. Ultimately this redemption points to Jesus, the seed of the woman who will destroy the works of the serpent (Genesis 3:17).
Blessing the Nations—God’s blessing comes with a vision and responsibility to share that blessing with others. This is spelled out in God’s covenant with Abraham and continues to be the call for God’s people throughout the rest of the Bible: God’s blessings come so that we would be a blessing to others.
Real People—Genesis is refreshingly honest. While many of the Biblical characters are heroes and heroines of faith, they are not perfect, and the Bible shows them to us with all their flaws. We see personal weakness, broken marriages and families, abuse, polygamy, murder, rape, political intrigue, deception, war, sibling rivalry—all these are founds in humanity’s beginning as people seek to find happiness apart from God and his wisdom. This shocks many Bible readers at first. Over time, however, it becomes very comforting. The God of the Bible works with and through people like this. Maybe, rather, we should say, people like us.
Exodus: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion
Exodus was written by Moses, during Israel’s 2-year stay at the foot of Mount Sinai following the Exodus event itself. It begins at least a generation after Genesis ends.
| Outline: | |
| Ch 1-18 | Salvation: Freedom From Slavery |
| 1-6 | The Savior Moses |
| 7-18 | The Exit from Egypt |
| Ch 19-24 | Covenant |
| Laws which give God's Good Life | |
| Ch 25-40 | Worship/Relationship with God |
| 25-31 | Plans for the Tabernacle and Priestly Garments |
| 32-34 | Breaking and Renewing of Covenant |
| 35-39 | Construction of the Tabernacle and Priestly Garments |
| 40 | God "moves in" to live with His people |
Themes
No Old Testament book is more important than Exodus. The Exodus from Egypt was the pinnacle act of salvation in the entire Old Testament. It was an act of New Creation. It’s powerful imagery influences even the New Testament to describe the salvation of Jesus as a New Exodus. As Israel was enslaved in Egypt and set free through Moses to worship God through the waters of the Red Sea, so also we were enslaved in sin and set free through Jesus to worship God through the waters of baptism.
The Covenant—The Covenant made with the family of Abraham is the basis for the Exodus (Ex 2:23-25). As that family has grown, so in Exodus the covenant grows. What had been a tribal family has now become a nation. In chapters 19-24, the covenant is renewed and expanded to become the constitution governing the entire nation. This constitution shows the heart of God to see a society that reflects both personal salvation and social justice. These continue to be essential parts of the gospel.
Salvation First, Law Second—This is always the order in a relationship with God. The Exodus comes before the 10 Commandments. This shows the gospel. We obey the laws not to be rescued, but because we have been rescued. The law shows us how to live in relationship with God, enjoying the blessings of his good life.
Three Steps to Bless Others—The Outline of Exodus (Salvation, Covenant, and Worship) is God’s process for shaping people to be a blessing to the world (remember Gen 12:1-3). God saves us, guarantees promises to us, and calls us to honor him with our whole lives. These things give us strength and hope, they deepen our experience of God so that we can share him and his love with others.
Exodus is structured like the New Testament Gospels—It’s interesting to see the parallels in the structure of Exodus when compared to the gospels. The first half of each describes God’s representative (Moses and Jesus) and the second half describes the salvation brought about by God through them (the Exodus and the Passion Week).
Can you find Jesus in Exodus?—In Moses’ childhood (Matt 2)? In the burning bush (John 8:58)? the Passover (1Cor 5:7)? the Red Sea crossing (Rom 6)? the manna (John 6)? the blood of the Old Covenant (Luke 22:20)? the tabernacle (John 1:14; Heb 9)? the priesthood (Heb 7)? How do these things foreshadow Jesus?
Leviticus: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion
Leviticus was written by Moses during Israel’s almost 2-year stay at the foot of Mount Sinai after the Exodus. Exodus ends as God “moves in” to the tabernacle, and Leviticus picks up with what life will be like to have God living in the midst of his people.
| Outline: | |
| Ch 1-16 | Sacrifices and Rituals |
| 1-7 | The Five Sacrifices |
| 8-10 | The Levitical Priesthood |
| 11-16 | Cleanness Rituals |
| Ch 17-27 | Personal and Social Holiness |
| 17-20 | Personal and Social Holiness |
| 21-25 | Holiness in Religious and Festival Observance |
| 26-27 | Blessings and Curses of the Covenant |
Themes
Sacrifices—While this may not jump off the page, Leviticus is a celebration of this amazing truth: God speaks. In the religions of the Ancient World, worshipers never knew if their sacrifices were appeasing their gods. When anything went wrong, they naturally assumed the gods were angry and they needed to offer more. When the gods are silent, security or peace is determined by the circumstances of life. When offering crops wasn’t enough, you offered animals… then your own blood… then parts of your body… then your own children… But the gods never spoke, so no sacrifice was ever enough.
Into the world of religious silence, God speaks in Leviticus, stating which offerings are required and what each does. Because God speaks, Israel knows exactly what God thinks and where they stand with him. Finally peace and assurance are possible!
The five sacrifices are a conversation that show us how to have a relationship with God. The Burnt Offering was the worshiper declaring that he or she is consecrated (devoted) to God. The Grain Offering was the worshiper declaring love for God. The Peace Offering was God declaring that he, the priest, and the worshiper were family. In the Sin Offering, God declares forgiveness and an end of his anger. In the Guilt Offering, God says that the sin’s power and presence has been removed (forgotten). We continue this same conversation in our worship on Sundays.
Each of these sacrifices also highlights and explains a different aspect of the sacrifice that Jesus himself would offer in his life and death (Heb 10:10-14). Can you think through how each one points to some aspect of what he does as our priest and sacrifice?
Rituals—Why all the minutia? It may seem tedious and unnecessary to modern readers, but it conveys a message. We may think of rituals as rigid lists of things that lose meaning with repetition, but God is saying that he is holy and a relationship with him is a stabilizing influence in life. Rituals grant confidence and security. Ordered structure in life makes things predictable and dependable. We see that stability in the home makes children thrive. The repetition of rituals builds rhythms into our lives and enables us to memorize them so they become not just a part of what we do, but an integral part of who we are.
Hebrews: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion Some believe that Hebrews was written by Paul (they think that Hebrews is the letter that Peter is referring to in 2Peter 3:15-17). Many others believe that He-brews was written by an unnamed, second generation believer (someone who hadn’t seen Jesus physically, but had met him through the preaching of the apos-tles, see Hebrews 2:3). We don’t know for sure who wrote it, but we do know that it was written to Christians who are suffering intense persecution during the great tribulation before the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70AD. These Christians are being tempted to adopt the Old Covenant way of life, possibly to avoid this persecution. The author’s message is that returning to the Old Covenant way of life is to deny Jesus and the New Covenant that he established.
| Outline: | |
| 1:1-4:13 | Jesus is the Best Revelation of God |
| 1:1—2:18 | Prophet better than Angels (Deliverers of the Old Covenant) |
| 3:1-19 | Priest better than Moses (Mediator of the Old Covenant) |
| 4:1-13 | King better than Joshua (Leader of Israel to the Old Covenant rest) |
| 4:14—10:18 | Jesus gives us the Best Relationship with God |
| 5:1—7:28 |
Better than the Levitical Priesthood |
| 8:1—13 | Better than the Old Covenant with Israel |
| 9:1—10:18 |
Better than the Tabernacle and its Sacrifices |
| 10:19—13:21 |
Keep Your Faith and Your Church Family |
Themes
Reading Hebrews after Exodus and Leviticus might be a bit confusing. After all the laws, the tabernacle, and the minutia of the sacrifices and rituals, Hebrews seems to say, “Now none of that was really important. In fact, we can throw it all out.” Two concepts will help us make sense of this apparent contradiction: Mission Impossible and an Ultrasound.
Mission Impossible—In the church’s beginning, there was a lot of confusion over how the Old Testament applied to Christians in the Church (these types of questions are still debated today). Hebrews argues that if you obey the laws of the Old Covenant (God’s covenant with the nation of Israel), you weren’t simply choosing one church culture over another. It meant much more than that. To obey the Jewish Old Cove-nant was to declare that Jesus only came to save one nation, and not the whole world. If you had to obey the Old Covenant to follow Jesus, then only Jewish people could be saved (because you’d have to become Jewish in order to follow Jesus). This denied a central theme of the gospel—Jesus is the Savior of the all the nations. It also denied even the Old Covenant itself, because the Old Covenant said that through Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:3). To go back to obeying the Old Covenant would undermine God’s New Covenant and render the church’s mission to bless all the nations impossible.
Old Testament as Ultrasound—Picture a couple pregnant with their first child. Noth-ing is more precious to them than their ultrasound photos. Though they are merely images of the form of their baby’s body, the parents proudly present them to anyone they can. Once the baby is born, however, those ultrasound pictures are pasted into scrapbook and largely ignored. This is closer to Hebrews’ message about the Old Covenant (the covenant God made with the nation of Israel in Exodus): Why go back to the ultrasound of the Old Covenant when you already have the new life that Jesus brings?
Over and over again Hebrews tells us, “Jesus is like what you read about in the Old Testament… only better!” As you read about leaders, think of Jesus, the better leader. As you read about sacrifices, think of Jesus, the better sacrifice. As you read about priests, think of Jesus, the better priest. Hebrews is a wonderful lesson on how we should read the Old Testament. God has given us an inspired lesson on how to inter-pret the Bible!
As you read these descriptions of “How Jesus is greater than…” realize that this Jesus who is “greater than” is your savior! The blessings we experience as New Covenant Christians far exceed the blessings of even the greatest Old Covenant saints (Matt 11:11)! Jesus isn’t just a Prophet, Priest, and King greater than his Old Covenant counterparts, he is YOUR Prophet, Priest, and King! He reveals God to you. And He gives you a relationship with God. These are the blessings of knowing and following Jesus.
The Warnings—Hebrews continually warns its readers throughout the letter. The theme of these warnings is that in the midst of difficult times and persecution, don’t lose hope! Continue to believe and trust Jesus! This is a word that we all need to hear, especially when we experience trials and suffering. Let the hard times not drive you away from faith and the church family, but let them drive you again back to Je-sus—the one who guarantees blessings and an eternal inheritance in the city which is to come (Heb 13:14). Jesus had this exact conversation with the disciples in John’s gospel. In chapter 6:67-68, “Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” This is the message of Hebrews. Don’t lose sight of Jesus. If you let go of him, there’s nowhere else to go.
Numbers: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion
Numbers is the fourth of the “Five Books of Moses.” In Hebrew, it begins with the word “and” (as Exodus and Leviticus do), showing that this is part of the continu-ing story of Israel’s beginning. It covers 40 years, from Israel leaving Mount Si-nai to the brink of their entry into Canaan, the Promised Land. The title comes from the “Numbering” (census) of Israel in chapters 1-3, and 26. In the Jewish Scriptures, it’s called “In the Wilderness,” quoting part of the first verse. Num-bers tells of the Exodus generation traveling through the wilderness (desert) out-side the promised land.
Numbers is designed to rehearse the past and prepare for the future. It recounts the history of one generation’s failure so that the next generation does not repeat it. The first attempt to enter the promised land fails because of a lack of faith, and Numbers anticipates the second attempt with suspense: will the new genera-tion repeat the sins of the former? Or will it move forward with faith and in the power of God? Numbers invites us to answer these same questions for ourselves.
| Outline: | |
| Ch 1-25 | The 1st Generation: The Failure of Faith |
| Preparing to Enter the Promised Land: | |
| 1-10:11 | Preparation to leave Mount Sinai |
| 10:12-13 | Approaching the Promised Land: Non-stop complaining |
| The Fear-Driven Failure of Faith: | |
| 14:1-4 | Israel refuses to trust God to enter the land |
| 14:5-9 | Moses intercedes for the people |
| 14:20-38 |
God forgives, but the 1st generation will not enter the land |
| 25 | Death In the Wilderness Of The 1st Generation: |
| Laws governing life in the wilderness | |
| Relationship Cycle: Rebellion, Judgment, Confession, Forgiveness | |
| Balaam and his donkey | |
| Ch 26-36 | The 2nd Generation: Hope and Opportunity for New Life |
| 26-31 | Laws governing the new generation |
| 32 | Settlement of land just east of the Jordan River |
| 33-36 | Dividing up the Promised Land in preparation for conquest |
Themes
Israel Disobeyed—This is a fitting, two-word summary of Numbers. This story is born out of tragedy. After all that God did in the Exodus and at Mount Sinai, when Israel was on the verge of the Promised Land the first time, they chickened out, thinking that they couldn’t overcome the armies of the people who lived in the land. So quickly they forgot the power that brought them out of Egypt! Be-cause of this lack of faith, the entire generation died in the wilderness, leaving a lesson to the next generation to not forget the power of God.
Divine, Loving Patience—In older Bible versions, patience is described as long-suffering, we see that aspect of God over and over throughout Numbers. The weakness and failure of Israel in Numbers highlights the persistent grace, protec-tion, and care that God shows his people throughout their 40 years in the wilder-ness. “The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving in-iquity and transgression… Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love” (Num 14:18-19).
Endless Complaining—Numbers could be called “The Grumblings of a Nation.” The trust in God which took them out of Egypt evaporated as they began to expe-rience the hardship of desert life. The people respond to the wilderness by forget-ting everything that God had done for them, focusing only on what they don’t have at that moment. Reading about their continued childishness is frustrating, until we ask ourselves, “How do we respond to the wilderness in our lives?”
The Sin of Unbelief—There are sins to which God’s people are especially prone. The New Testament book of Hebrews comments on Numbers by saying that Is-rael failed to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief (Heb 3:16-19). This analysis is helpful, because often our outward sins—grumbling, complaining, jealousy, frustration with leaders, frustration with God—are often rooted in our lack of faith or trust in God.
God Honors Faith—Caleb and Joshua stand out as men of faith. Of the 1st Gen-eration, they alone were allowed to enter the Promised Land. Their faith was firm because they knew the power of God and his presence with them. They weren’t afraid of even the worst odds because they trusted that God would make all his promises come true. Their lives call us to continued faith in Jesus, for whom all God’s promises to us come true.
The Need for a Mediator—Numbers 11 and 14 show Moses in a unique role in the relationship between God and the people of Israel. As he did in Exodus 32, we see Moses as the only thing standing between a disobedient people and an angry God ready to destroy them for their rebellion and sins. During these instances, Moses pleads to God to show mercy and love to Israel, despite their sins. In this role, Moses pictures Jesus, who is the mediator of the New Covenant, standing before God as our substitute, to gain God’s mercy and love for us in spite of our sins.
Manna—Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert, and every day they had food enough to eat. God provided manna for them, keeping them alive and providing strength for them in the midst of their wilderness journey (see Ex 16:35). Though today scholars don’t know what manna exactly was (in fact, the word “manna” literally means “what is it?”) this was God’s constant provision, giving Israel every day their daily bread. In John 6, Jesus compares himself to the manna, saying that faith in him provides the daily nourishment Christians need to thrive in the wilderness of this life and to live forever (see John 6:35).
The Censuses—Why all the counting? The first census taken was to prepare Is-rael for battle, assuring them that God had grown them to be strong, able to take possession of the Promised Land. The second census (in Chapter 26) was taken of the 2nd Generation, assuring them that they were a new people, being given a second chance. God was working in them to grant them all the promises he had made to the 1st Generation.
Deuteronomy: An Introduction
Download | Back to Study Materials
Author and Occasion
Deuteronomy was given through Moses at the end of Israel’s 40 years of desert wandering. The Exodus generation that failed in faith to enter the Promised Land is now passed away (except for Moses, Joshua, and Caleb). The new generation is poised again on the brink of the Promised Land, ready to enter into the land of God’s blessings.
| Outline: | |
| Ch 1:1-5 | Calling: God Initiates a Renewed Relationship |
| Ch 1:6-3:29 |
Cleansing: Remember God has Changed Israel |
| Ch 4-26 |
Constitution: The Path of the Good Life for Israel |
| Ch 4-11 |
Exhortation to New Life: Love and Serve God |
| Ch 12-16 |
New Life through Worship |
| Ch 16-18 |
New Life through Leadership |
| Ch 19-25 |
New Life through Community |
| Ch 26 |
Conclusion |
| Ch 27-30 |
Communion: Blessings and Curses |
| Ch 31-34 |
Commission: Arrangements for Future Generations |
Themes
Israel’s Second Chance at New Life!—Israel is preparing to enter the Promised Land. God wants Israel to be sure that they are in a relationship with him, so Deuteronomy is a “Renewal of Vows Ceremony” between God and his people. He wants Israel to know two things: First, that he still loves and cares for Israel (especially after their parents’ generation was judged in the desert). Second, that Israel needs to live in relationship with God if they are to experience the full blessings of God in the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey.
Treaty Contract—The book of Deuteronomy is organized like a contract. The contract was similar to the kind of treaties that were made between regional and local kings in the Ancient Near East. In these treaties (or covenants) the greater king would provide protection and help to the lesser king. The lesser king would provide tribute and troops to the greater king. Archaeologists have discovered other written covenants like these between the nations in and near the promised land around the time of Moses. This demonstrates that the Deuteronomy was written after Numbers, during the generation that follows the Exodus.
Covenant Renewal Worship—The structure of the “Renewal of Vows” service that God enacts with this book inspires what we do in Sunday worship as a church. Calling (Call to Worship), Cleansing (Confession and Forgiveness), Constitution (Sermon), Communion (the Lord’s Supper), Commission (Benediction). Each week we participate in this covenant renewal ceremony, reminding ourselves of our commitment to God and his commitment to us. This renews our minds and gives us the strength we need to live as God’s special people in his world.
Uniqueness in Deuteronomy—
Israel is unique: alone among the nations chosen by God. Today, the church is the new Israel, chosen by God to live in relationship with him (1Peter 2:9-10).
God’s faithfulness is unique: He fulfills the covenant promises he made 400 years prior to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—even in the midst of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Today, Jesus is the guarantee that all of God’s promises to his people will come true (2Corinthians 1:19-20).
God’s laws are unique: The commands and encouragements throughout Deuteronomy are pervasive, showing that a relationship with God touches all of life. The laws in this book paint a grand and glorious vision fo what life can be when it is infused with the love and power of God. Israel was blessed by God in order to be a blessing to the rest of the world. This is why we are to strive to make all of life part of our relationship with him (1Corinthians 10:31).
The Promised Land is unique: Chapter 28 shows that life in the Promised Land is a picture of heaven. When Israel lives in relationship with God, the blessings they experience foreshadow of the blessings of life in a perfect world. When Israel rejects God, the Promised Land will become like the desert, and Israel will experience the curses of judgment. In this way, the Promised Land is a preview of heaven: those who live in it must live in a loving relationship with God. Those who reject this relationship with God will be removed from the land.
Biblical Jihad?—Deuteronomy makes explicit the fate that awaits the nations who live in the Promised Land. The land is holy, and those who do not worship the Lord in the land will be removed. The other nations are a constant temptation to Israel to reject their exclusive relationship with God. Back in Genesis 15:16, God made it clear that he would give the inhabitants 400 years before bringing judgment on them. Instead of using those years to draw near to God, the nations in the land became worse and worse, and were guilty of horrific atrocities such as child sacrifice. God used Israel to be an instrument of his judgment, cleansing the promised land so that God may dwell there.
Today, Jesus and his people engage in spiritual warfare with the sword that comes from our mouth (Revelation 1:16). The good news of reconciliation with God and personal renewal is what defeats sin, temptation, and evil in our world today.
Deuteronomy in the New Testament—Deuteronomy is one of the most-quoted Old Testament books in the New Testament. Jesus frequently quoted from Deuteronomy, especially when he was tempted by Satan. Jesus’ summary of the law comes from Deuteronomy and Leviticus: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus was the perfect lover of God and neighbor, fulfilling the role that Israel failed to fulfill, and bringing blessings to the world.
