The Pentateuch

The Pentateuch is considered to be the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are all five considered the Pentateuch for a reason and we will be looking at that reason by examining the relationship these 5 books have to the origin, intended purpose, and bearing on the relationship between God and Israel. 

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible and the Pentateuch. The title Genesis (meaning “beginning” or “origin”) comes from the Greek translation of the Bible (Branson, 2003). This makes sense when you look at Genesis. Genesis is the beginning of our history. It reiterates the origin of our creation and being. Our text says that, "the remainder of the Pentateuch is in a real sense the story of God's visitation of Israel to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs" (Branson, 2003).

So as I am doing research on the relationship of these books, I came across something interesting. One of the authors of the web pages I enjoyed the information on is an "Agnosticism/Atheism Expert." I always say the best way to combat the opposite view is to dig into it! Anyway, back to the subject at hand! One of the subjects that is carried throughout the Books of the Pentateuch is the subject and presence of covenants. A covenant is a contract/treaty/promise between God and humans, either all humans or one specific group. In these Books, God is depicted as making promises to Adam, Eve, Cain, and various others about their own personal futures. God even makes promises to Abraham about the future of all his descendants. God even makes a very detailed covenant with the people of Israel — a covenant with extensive provisions that the people are supposed to obey in exchange for promises of blessings from God. (Cline, 2015). 

The first five books of the Bible are foundational to all of Scripture. They have arguably been ranked as one of the most important portions of the Word of God (Wolf 1991). This is because its theological and historical views are necessary for a better understanding of the rest of the entire Bible. God's revelation about the origin of the world with its emphasis on the creation of man made in the image of God, how sin entered human history and the judgment that followed, and the origin of the nation of Israel and its covenant–relationship to Yahweh, are just some of the subjects that are covered and related throughout these first five books (Decanio, 2010).

One of the best things that really spoke to me and explained the relationship to me of these five important Books was a PDF from a seminary school. It laid it out like this: 

• Genesis has the plan of God
• Exodus has the redemptive power of God
• Leviticus has the person of God
• Numbers has the providence of God/proving God
• Deuteronomy has the principles of God

The over-arching structural theme of the Pentateuch is the Covenant which God establishes between Himself and His people. The gracious Covenant of God is God’s way of leading His people to the New Creation and  is foundational to our understanding of God’s relationship to fallen man (WRS, n.d.).

Resources

• Branson, R. D., Edlin, J., & Green, T. M. (2003). Discovering the Old Testament . Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press.
• Cline, A. (2015, January 1). The Pentateuch or the First Five Books of the Bible. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://atheism.about.com/od/biblestudyoldtestament1/a/Pentateuch-Bible-Introduction.html
• Wolf, H. (1991). An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch. Chicago: Moody Press.
• DeCanio, F. (2010, June 14). Introduction to the Pentateuch. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-pentateuch
• WRS.edu (n.d.) Introduction to the Pentateuch. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://wrs.edu/Materials_for_Web_Site/Courses/Pentateuch/Genesis_1-11.pdf