Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy
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Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy by David Peach Presented by: Genuine Leather Bible http://bible.mythoughtspot.com Table of Contents What this book is about Page 1 Chapter 1 Genesis Page 2 Chapter 2 Exodus Page 6 Chapter 3 Leviticus Page 10 Chapter 4 Numbers Page 15 Chapter 5 Deuteronomy Page 20 Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy About Where did this book come from? This free ebook is offered to those who sign up for the mailing list at Genuine Leather Bible. If you got this book from a friend, let me encourage you to sign up for the mailing list. Doing so won’t cost you anything and it will keep you up to date with major announcements at the website. When I have summaries for the whole Bible done I will announce it through this mailing list. What is the purpose of this free book? This is a preview of a book I am working on which will cover the whole Bible. I am interested in feedback on anything you would like to see in the final product. While this version of the book is only available in PDF format, the final product will be offered as a PDF and in most major ebook formats. You can contact me at [email protected] with any suggestions. How to read this book. If you display the book in full screen mode (or presentation mode) you should be able to read it easily by fitting the whole page on the screen at one time. If, however, you would like a copy formatted to a regular letter size paper for printing you are welcome to download that version too. 1 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy Genesis Genesis is the first book of the Bible and is also the first of the five books of the Law. These five books together are often called the Pentateuch. While the book of Job is believed to be the first Bible book written, the book of Genesis covers the earliest period in history. Author Authorship is historically accepted as Moses even though the book never claims Moses as the author. Both the Old and New Testaments ascribe authorship to Moses. There is no reason or proof given as to why it should not have been Moses. Here are some Old Testament references to Moses as the author of the Law: Joshua 1:7, 8; I Kings 2:3; II Chronicles 34:14; Nehemiah 8:1, 14; Nehemiah 13:1. In these passages there are phrases like, “as it is written in the law of Moses,” “a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses,” and “the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses.” The Old Testament clearly refers to the Law as having been written by Moses. The writers of the New Testament also considered Moses to be the author. Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45; John 5:45- 47 and Acts 28:23 each talk about Moses as the author of the Law. Jesus refers to the Law when he uses Moses’ name in Luke 24:27. Acts 28:23 says Paul preached “out of the law of Moses.” Date Written Circa 1440 to 1400 B.C. If it was indeed written first (before the exodus) then it was written around 1440 B.C. The exodus took place around 1440 B.C., however Genesis may have been written at a later date. 2 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy Purpose of Genesis To provide a history of the beginning of all things and to show the origin of God’s people, the children of Israel. God had promised that the Redeemer would come from the people of Israel. Most of the major doctrines (teachings) in the Bible have their roots in the book of Genesis. While the doctrine may not be explained in the book, God provided information in the book of Genesis to introduce the foundation of the doctrines covered. Theme Beginnings, or Origins Key Verses Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God presented as the Creator. Genesis 3:15 “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.” God’s promise of a Redeemer or Savior. Genesis 12:1-3 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” This is the Abrahamic Covenant where God promised to grow a nation through Abraham which would be the family of the promised Redeemer from Genesis 3:15. 3 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy Main Characters Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph Main Stories The story of creation. The fall and punishment of Adam and Eve. Noah and the Ark; the story where God saved Noah and his family from a worldwide flood. God promised Abraham would be the father of a great nation, yet he had no son until he was over 100 years old. Isaac became that son and had two children of his own, one of whom was Jacob, later called Israel. Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons who became the 12 tribes of Israel. Almost 1/2 the book is the story of the 12 sons and how God preserved their family. Outline of Genesis Genesis can be divided in at least two ways. The first is through a historical division and another is through the main characters. The first is dividing the book by historical periods: 1. Ancient History (chapters 1-11) 2. History of Israel (chapters 12-50) A second outline division is through main characters: 1. Adam and Eve (chapters 1-5) 2. Noah (chapters 6-11) 4 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy 3. Abraham (chapters 12-23) 4. Isaac (chapters 24-27) 5. Jacob (chapters 28-36) 6. Joseph (chapters 37-50) Summary of Genesis God created a perfect universe which was free from sin. He then created humanity for the purpose of having a personal relationship with Him. However, sin entered this perfect world through Adam and Eve. Eventually sin and corruption reigned until God destroyed humanity through a flood, saving only eight people (Noah and his family) in an ark. Because of God’s promise to Adam and Eve for a Redeemer in chapter 3 verse 15, He choose to build a nation through Abraham from which this Redeemer, or Messiah, would come. The promise of the Redeemer went through Abraham to Isaac, then Isaac to Jacob. Jocob’s 12 sons became the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel. One of the sons, Joseph, was used to preserve the family of Israel during a time of intense famine in the region. The book closes with Joseph having great power in the nation of Egypt. One quarter of the book is about Joseph and his brothers. 5 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy Exodus Exodus is the second book of the Bible and the second book of the five books of the Law, or the Pentateuch. This book covers the exodus of the nation of Israel out of Egypt through their journey to the Promised Land. Author Within the book of Exodus there is language that suggests the author is an eye witness to the events contained within the book. Exodus 17:14; 24:3-7 and 34:27, 28 each talk about God asking or telling Moses to write the current events in a book. This is the book we read today called Exodus. Both the Old and New Testaments refer to Moses as the author of the Law, and therefore the book of Exodus, just as it does for Genesis. There is no reason to suspect that Moses was not the author. Date Written Like Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch it was written between 1440 to 1400 B.C. There are indications that it was earlier in the period. The exodus itself took place around 1440 B.C. Purpose of Exodus To provide a history of how God preserved the nation of Israel, thus fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation. It chronicles the exodus of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Events such as the Passover and the giving of the Law are important elements in the book of Exodus. 6 Genuine Leather Bible Bible Book Summaries: Genesis to Deuteronomy Theme An actual history that teaches a spiritual truth. Humanity is in bondage to sin (Israel in Egypt). Yet they can have redemption (the exodus) and instruction to spiritual life and growth (the Law). Key Verses Exodus 3:8 “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” God had promised the land of the Canaanites to Abraham. He is now prepared to give it to them.