Reading the Books of the Law
Below is a synopsis of the first five books of the Bible, along with some tips for reading.
Genesis
Synopsis: The covenant with Abraham (12:1-3) is the key event for Genesis. The rest of the book is how God fulfills the covenant through the twists and turns of the very human descendants of Abraham.
Tips for Reading: The stories are meant to be adventures—specifically, how can God possibly keep his covenant? How can God keep his covenant if Abraham’s wife can’t have children? How can God keep his covenant if Abraham’s only son is sacrificed? How can God keep his covenant if Abraham is killed in battle? As you read, watch for the playing out of the covenant, as well as God’s unrelenting faithfulness to his people.
Exodus
Synopsis: A famine in Palestine put the Israelites in Egypt. After a long time in Egypt, the Egyptian Pharaoh decided they were a security risk and enslaved them. God chooses Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. After a series of plagues, they leave Egypt. God saves them at the Red Sea, and then He leads them to Mount Sinai where God gives them a covenant (Exodus 19): You will be my people, and I will be your God. The next few books of the Bible identify how the Mount Sinai covenant will play out.
Tips for Reading: Look for God’s faithfulness, especially when people are not so faithful. At Mount Sinai, God descends on top of the mountain in fire and smoke. This is called the theophany—the visible presence of God, in fire and smoke. We see the theophany all the way through the Old Testament and into the New Testament (see Acts 2, the tongues of fire—the presence of God). We also begin to see the rules and regulations about sacrifices, and the tabernacle/tent of meeting.
Leviticus
Synopsis: Leviticus is mostly laws about sacrifices, daily activities, and priestly duties. A few vignettes of life in the desert are sprinkled throughout the narrative.
Tips for Reading: As you read (or skim) through Leviticus, you’ll want to notice the heavy emphasis on the spiritual life of the people. The rules and regulations cover sacrifices, priestly duties, and life together. We begin to see the Deuteronomic Code: Obey God, and you’ll be materially rewarded; disobey the law, and you’ll be punished. Later, the prophets savagely rejected this idea.
Numbers
Synopsis: The twelve tribes of Israel begin to take shape, identifying the leadership and size of the tribe. A reconnaissance team of twelve explores Palestine. Two of them (Joshua and Caleb) say that they can enter the land; Ten of the team says that the inhabitants of the land are too strong. The fearful people say they will not enter the land, and so God makes them spend another 40 years in the desert.
Tips for Reading: The first part of the book deals with genealogy. Over the years, it became more important to prove you were of Hebrew descent. Much time is spent discussing priestly duties and the sacrifices for the tabernacle. This foreshadows the sacrifices in the temple (the prophets didn’t have much respect for the sacrifices or the temple). Notice the stories of the people in the desert, and take note of God’s love and faithfulness, even when the people forgot to put their faith in God.
Deuteronomy
Synopsis: The book is a framed as a long sermon by Moses, as they are about to enter Palestine. It recounts their journeys out of Egypt and through the desert. The book reminds them to be faithful as they enter their new home. It also lays out the principle called the “Deuteronomic Code”: Obey God and you’ll be materially rewarded. Disobey God, and you’ll be punished. The prophets and other later writings—including the New Testament—suggested this was NOT the way God works.
Tips for Reading: Read the history of God’s people in chapters 1-5. Take note of God’s faithfulness. Take note of how they were to act when they got into Palestine—they were to take care of the widows, orphans, and foreigners—and they were to stay faithful to God. Look at Deuteronomy 12: there is one place where the temple will be, but that place is never named. Years later, King Solomon will assume that one place is Jerusalem. Watch for references to the Deuteronomic code.
If you liked this article, you might enjoy the book Read the Bible in a Year. It is a chronological guide to reading the Bible, with 52 introductions for each week’s readings. The introductions include the history and of the book you’re reading, important passages, and faith insights.
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More Bible and Church Resources
Read the Bible in a Year: 52 Introductions for a Chronological Journey through the Bible
Help! I Want to Read the Bible: A Beginner’s Quick Start Guide
Understanding Genesis: The Beginning of the Promise. A Bible Study
Youth Ministry: Ten Non-Group Models
Conversations at the Pearly Gates: Six Dramas for Lent
Holy Week at the Jerusalem Café: Six Dramas for Lent