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Creation, the Fall and the Law
 
 

Genesis Overview
 

The first book of the Bible is Genesis and is concerned with the beginning or origin of all things. Genesis as the beginning forms the foundation of the Bible, on which everything is built. Most Biblical scholars accept that Moses wrote most if not all of the first five books (called the Pentateuch) under divine inspiration from GOD Almighty.
 
 

While it is easy to accept that Genesis is concerned with the beginning of man's history, it is more important to realize that it is GOD's revelation on how the world was created, how man was created, how man sinned and most importantly how redemption is made possible.
 
The promise of this redemption as written in Genesis:
 

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.  Genesis 3:15
 
Who is the seed of the woman? Whose head will be bruised?  What does “bruising thy head mean”?
 
The underlying theme of the Book of Genesis is the unmistakable fact of GOD's love towards mankind. Even though man was disobedient, GOD in His love, mercy and grace made provision for man's hope of redemption and everlasting life.
 
Genesis Outline
 
A. Creation and Early History
 
For Detailed Outline of Genesis Click Here
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 thru 2
Creation
3
Rebellion of Adam & Eve
4
The First Murder
5
The Descendents of Adam
6 thru 9
Noah and the Flood
10
Descendants of Noah
11
Introduction of Different Languages
 
B. The Formation and Early History of the Jewish Nation
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
12 thru 18
Abraham's Faith and Wandering
19
Destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah
20
Abraham's Lapse in Faith
21
The Birth of Isaac
22
Abraham's Faith Confirmed
23
The Death of Sarah, Abraham's Wife
24
Finding a Wife for Isaac
25
The Birth of Jacob and Esau
26
Isaac and Abimelech
27 thru 28:4
Isaac Blesses Jacob
28
Jacob Flees From Esau
29:1 thru 30:24
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
30:25 thru 31:55
Jacob and Laban
32 & 33
Jacob and Esau Meet
34
The Dinah Incident
35
Jacob Returns to Bethel
36
Esau's Descendents
37:1 thru 37:11
Joseph Dreams of Greatness
37:12 thru 38
Joseph Sold by his Brothers
38
Judah and Tamar
39 thru 45
Joseph in Egypt
46 thru 49:28
Jacob and His Other Sons go to Egypt
49:29 thru 50
Death of Jacob and Joseph
 
Exodus Overview
 
The title or word "Exodus" means "a going out". The Book of Exodus records the great numerical growth of the Israelites during their slavery in Egypt. It introduces Moses and records the plagues GOD brought upon Egypt to secure His people's release from slavery. After release, in the wilderness the people are given the Law at Mount Sinai. The book concludes with a description of the order of worship which centers around the Law of Moses.
 
 

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.  Exodus 3:13-15
 

It is in Exodus that GOD makes Himself known by His memorial name. Even this revelation indicates His infinite greatness.  What is GOD's name? Did Jesus ever use this name?
 
Exodus Outline
 
A. The Liberation of Israel
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1:1 thru 1:7  
   Introduction
1:8 thru 22
Slavery in Egypt
2:1 to 4
Preparation of the deliverer
5 thru 7: 7
The Mission of Moses to Pharaoh
7:8 thru 11
GOD's wonders in the land of Egypt
12
The Passover and the departure of Israel
12
Israel crossing the Red Sea and in the wilderness
 
B. Israel at Sinai
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
19 thru 24:11
Establishment of the covenant at Sinai
24:12 to 31
Directions for the Tabernacle and the Priesthood
32 to 34
The covenant broken and restored
35 to 39
Building of the Tabernacle
40
Erection and consecration of the Tabernacle
 

Leviticus Overview
 

Leviticus takes its name from one of the 12 sons of Jacob, Levi, whose family was chosen by GOD to act as priests and assistants in the Tabernacle. The book covers the national and personal laws given by GOD to the Jewish people regarding worship and religious activities. It contains laws regarding cleanliness, morality, ethics and hygiene, which guided the Jews on a day–to–day basis and still does today. Animal sacrifice was introduced as a covering for the individual and national sins of the people.
 
Having brought His people out of bondage in Egypt, GOD gave them laws, which had two functions. The first was to provide a code of behavior, which would enable them to worship Him, and indeed, be His holy people, and the second was to enable them to have a practical law to assist in their daily living.
 
 

The most significant aspect of Leviticus in our contemporary society is that it points forward to the way in which followers of Jesus should endeavor to live their lives. Leviticus contains details of the sacrifices and offerings, which were required to be made by the people in recognizing their complete dependence on GOD and the necessity to continually honor Him. There were sacrifices and offerings to be made for a wide variety of reasons. Some were made as a recognition of sin; others were "free- will" offerings, which, as the name implies, were offerings made to GOD for no other reason than that the people wanted to worship Him.
 
The most important offering was made honor the Day of Atonement when a lamb without any blemish was offered as a sacrifice to "atone" for the sins of the nation. This pointed forward to Jesus who, as the lamb without blemish offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all as atonement for the sins of many. Through identifying with Jesus we can obtain the forgiveness, which is promised.
 
We are not required, under the new covenant, to offer sacrifices in the way the children of Israel were required.
 
Today we offer something else to GOD.  What is it?
 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
 
Leviticus Outline
 
A. Sacrifice as the Basis of Acceptable Worship
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 thru 7 
The offerings (burnt, meal and fruit, peace, sin, trespass)
8 thru 10  
The priesthood
11 thru 16
The people
17
The altar
 
B. Obedience as the Basis of Acceptable Living
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
18 thru 20
Regulations for the people
21 thru 22
Regulations for the priests
23 thru 24
Regulations for the nation
25 thru 27
Regulations for the land
 
Numbers Overview
 
The title "Numbers" comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament, (the Septuagint) and refers to the emphasis on population numbers in the early part of the book. It is interesting that the Hebrew title comes from 1:1 "In the wilderness" and probably this is more appropriate because the book does describe events of the Children of Israel in 38 of the 40 years they spent moving from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan.
This book has one major theme throughout. It reveals GOD's character through His dealings with His people. For example, His complete holiness is demonstrated in the incident of Moses smiting of the Rock to reduce water. His righteous jealousy, justness and faithfulness are shown. He established a covenant with Israel and the events of this book show His faithfulness to that covenant even in the face of adversity from His people.
 
 

In the book of Numbers we can see the first of many instances in the Old Testament when GOD's people choose to ignore Him and to worship other "gods".
 
The message of Numbers is clear. GOD has established high standards for man to follow.   At the same time He is just and merciful and He is faithful to His covenant.
 
Numbers Outline
 
A. Practical Instructions for the Wilderness Journey
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1 
Census of warriors
2
Order of worshippers
3 thru 4
Service of workers
5
The camp cleansed from defilement
6
Separated to GOD
7:1 thru 7:88
Cooperating with GOD
7:89 thru 10:10
GOD with his people
 
B. Provocation in the Wilderness
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
10:11 thru 10:32 
Journeying at GOD's command
11 thru 12
Murmuring and discontent
13 thru 14
Lack of faith and rejection
15
Instructions for the next generation
6 thru 19
Revolt against GOD's appointments
 
C. Vindication in the Wilderness
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
20 thru 21:3
The fortieth year: From Kadesh to Hor
21:4 thru 22:1
To Moab via Ezion–Geber
22:2 thru 25:18
  Balaam's curse turned into a blessing
26 thru 36
Preparations to enter the Land
 
Deuteronomy Overview
 
This book is the last of the Pentateuch. Its Greek name means "second law", which was the repetition of the law recorded in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. It was given to the nation of Israel on the plains of Moab just prior to their entrance into the Promised Land of Canaan under the command of Joshua. The word “Deuteronomy” itself implies a "second" law giving but this is inaccurate unless the code under which Abraham operated can be regarded as the first "law".
The book concerns the discourses given by Moses late in his life at the time immediately before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The discourses were given on the plains of Moab.
The theme running throughout is that GOD will continue to honor His covenant. Moses calls the people to obedience and reminds them that GOD brought them out of Egypt, guided them and provided for them while they journeyed in the desert. He counsels them to be careful not to follow the pagan ways of the people of the surrounding countries.
 
 
They are given further laws and statutes to assist them in their daily life. They are told of the blessings that will come through obedience and the cursing that will come through sin.
Many years after Deuteronomy was written Paul place the reason for the law in perspective for us…
 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  Romans 15:4
 
Why was the law written…what does the Law do for us?
 

Deuteronomy Outline
 
A. Israel's Faithlessness and God's Care
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
1
Failure to go into the promised land
2 thru 3 
Thirty–eight years of wandering
4:1 thru 4:40
Lessons of the past impressed upon the new generation
4:41 thru 4:43
Appointment of cities of refuge
 
B. What the Present Generation Should Heed
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
4:44 to 5:33
Review of the Divine covenant
6 to 26
What the covenant demands
 
C. The Nations Solemn Responsibility
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
27
A ceremony of remembrance in the Land
28:1 thru 28:14
The blessings of the Law
28:15 thru 28:68
The curses of the Law
 
D. Terms That Would Ensure Israel's Continued Occupancy of the Land
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
29:1 thru 29:8
review of the past
29:9 thru 29:29
Warning against disobedience
30
Divine mercy in spite of failure
 
E. Moses' Final Words of Advice-Chapter 31:1 thru Chapter 31:23
 
F. the Written Law Preserved as a Witness-Chapter 31:24 thru Chapter 31:29
 
G. A Psalm of Witness Against Israel
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
31:30 thru 32:47
Song of Moses
32:48 thru 32:52
Sequel to the Song – compare with Exodus 15
 
H. Future Glory of the Tribe
 
Chapter Reference
Subject
33:1 thru 33:5
Introduction
33:6 thru 33:25
The blessings
33:26 thru 33:29
The source and summary of the blessings
 
I. The Death of Moses-Chapter 34:1 thru Chapter 34:12
 

The First Place to Look for "Nuggets" About the Bible... on the Internet!