Torah

An Overview of the Torah

Authorship
Genesis Colophones
Mosaic Compilation
Editor’s Bookend

Aim
Clear Statement of Covenant

Application
Information about our origins
Illustration of Spiritual Principles

Genesis (About Beginnings)
Creation, Catastrophe, Confusion (1-11)
Covenant: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (12-36)
Joseph and the Twelve (37-50)

Exodus (Exit from Egypt)
Slavery in Egypt, Plagues (1-12)
Escape from Egypt, Complaints (12-18)
Giving of the Law/Instructions (19-40)

Leviticus (Handbook for Levites)
Instructions for worship (1-17)
Instructions for living (18-27)

Numbers (Account of Israel in Wilderness)
First Approach to Promised Land (1-21)
Second Approach to Promised Land (22-36)

Deuteronomy (Commission)
The Great ‘Graduation’ Speech (1-30)
Historical Transition (31-34)


Our Relationship to the Law

Position #1 We must obey them to be saved
Position #2 We have no relationship to them
Position #3 Christ fulfilled them

Problems with Position #1
Not even currently possible
Not one of us could do it
Not effectual even if we did

Problems with Position #2
Ignores fact that they were God given
Ignores the Jewish heritage of Christianity
Ignores the call to holiness

Purpose of the OT Instructions
Makes us aware of our crimes
Arouses sin which takes control
Polices us until/toward Christ
Supply us with instruction for living

What does “To fulfill them” mean?
It means He lived a perfectly moral life (moral)
It means He is the one the symbols pointed to (ceremonial)
It means He is Lord of a new civil system (civil)

Thinking Through Examples
Tattoos
Food Laws
Sabbath

What to do about Disputable Matters…