Deuteronomy

A series of speeches from Moses where he calls the next generation of Israel to be faithful to their covenant with God. Deuteronomy = Second Law

1-11– Moses Explains the Torah. He summarizes the story of the people thus far highlighting the rebellion of the people in contrast with Gods grace. Moses calls on the people to remain faithful to God, he reminds them of the ten commandments, and to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and might. He reminds the people that the Lord is One.

12-16 – Moses delivers and explains rules for worship. How there is one temple and one god to be worshiped in the temple/tabernacle; rules for worshiping God by caring for the poor; Worshiping through tithing;

 16-18 – Moses describes the character qualities and rules for Leaders (Elders, Priests & Kings) & Prophets. He details how the people are to be subordinate to the Law & The Prophets.

19-26 – Moses goes through more laws about Marriage, Family, Business, & Social Justice. These are the terms of the Sini Covenant, given specifically to ancient Israel that are not to be compared with modern laws. They indicate many core principals of wisdom in contrast with the laws of the other civilizations of the day. The people are to be set apart.

27-34 – Moses delivers a final speech which is a warning and ultimatum to listen and obey God which will lead to blessing, instead of rebelling against God, which will lead to devastation and exile. He offers a final decision to the people and a blessing, predicting that they will walk away from God and be exiled, but can always turn back to God and walk away from their rebellion. He gives a final poem and a blessing, then walks up on a mountain and dies.

Numbers

The Israelites begin their journey through the wilderness, after spending one year at the foot of Mt. Sini. They eventually go through Moab into the promised land of Cannan, after numerous rebellions, which brings Gods Judgement and still he remains faithful… Israels Rebellion vs God’s Faithfulness.

1-4 – Opens with a Census, with laws of how the tribes were to be organized in relationship with the Tabernacle. God’s Holy presence is at the center of the camp.

5-9 – Laws about ritual purity – further development of the laws established in Leviticus.

10-12 – The cloud of God’s presence lifts from the tabernacle and leads the people out into the desert away from Sini. The people follow and eventually grumble and complain saying they want to go back to Egypt. Aaron & Miriam begin to oppose Moses.

13-19 – The Israelites arrive in the desert outside the promised land and send 12 spies to evaluate the land. They see Giants and bountiful land, and they bring back a cluster of grapes that it takes two men to carry. But they are afraid of the Canaanites, and only Joshuah and Caleb want to go take the land. The people rebel and want to appoint a new leader and go back to Egypt. God is angry, but Moses intercedes on their behalf for God to remember his promise to his people. God sentences the generation to wander the desert for 40 years.

16-20 – A group of Levites (Sons of Korah) rebel against God and are ultimately swallowed up in the earth. The people continue to complain about thirst. God tells Moses to speak to a rock to receive water. He disobeys out of anger against the people and Moses strikes the rock, which does yield water. God says that because of his disobedience and putting himself in gods place, Moses will not enter the promised land.

21 – The people grumble and complain again. God curses them with venomous snakes, and many die. God tells Moses to make a Bronze Snake and put it on a pole, lifting it up above the people. Anyone who looks on it will be cured, and they are. God has the right to bring justice on his people, but even that justice can be transformed to a source of life for the people.

22-25 – The king of Moab is worried about the Israelites invading the land. He calls for a sorcerer, Balaam, to curse the Israelites. On the way, God puts an angel in Balaam’s path. Balaam’s Donkey sees it and is given the ability to talk to Balaam who then changes his plans and does not curse the Israelites, but rather, blesses them.

26-36 – Stories of the beginning of the conquest of the promised land. There are many battles and Victories. Moses gives the people a final Blessing. There is another census, and a few tribes settle east of the Jordan, in the Promised Land.

Leviticus – Covenant between Isreal and the LORD

God provides a way for his corrupt imperfect people to live in his presence.

God is Holy – Set apart, as creator and author of life.

Israel – Unjust, sinful and unholy

1-7 – God reveals the ways the people can offer Sacrifices for thanks (Grain and Fellowship offerings), and repentance (Burnt, purification & restitution offerings). Animals die in our place and atone for the sins.

8-10 – Aaron’s sons are called to be priests and given requirements, rules etc. Some of Aarons sons don’t obey the rules and are smitten by God when they go into the Holy of Holies (his presence) without being clean.

11-15 – Ritual Purity and instructions regarding unclean things. Most notably: bodily fluids, skin diseases, mold, dead bodies and eating impure animals. All associated with mortality and the loss of life.

16-17 – Day of Atonement – Once a year there was to be a feast the high priest would offer goats as sacrifice for all the people.  One was the Purification offering, and it was killed to atone for the sins of Israel. The other was the Scapegoat, which was a released into the desert once the people had confessed their sins. The goat bore the sins of the people and was a symbol of God’s removal of sin from Israel.

18-20 – Moral Purity and instructions on how Israel is called to live differently than the Canaanites.  Rules include: Caring for the poor, Sexual Integrity & Social Justice.

21-22 – God describes more qualifications for Priests as the “go-between” (Mediators) between the Israelites and God.

23-25 – Seven annual feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks/Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles). Israel is to remember who they are and how God brought them out of slavery, etc.

26-27– God restates his Covenant with Israel and calls them to faithfulness, outlining the blessings or consequences of Obedience and Unfaithfulness.