The study of the Pentateuch, or the law (Torah) as it is more commonly known, is something that is important for the Christian to do for several reasons. These books are the first five books in scripture and as such deserve our attention since they are divinely inspired. Through these books we gain greater insights into how the Hebrew peoples lived, worshipped, and how they interacted with the nations around them. Though they were a people chosen by God they did not live in a vacuum. There were politics and other issues that the people had to deal with, and a knowledge of these books assist us with that. Within the pages of the Pentateuch contains our story. It is the foundations of how God reveals his saving plan[1]. They lay the foundation of salvation history that are firmly set in God’s love[2]. The great early church theologian gives us another great reason to study the Old Testament when he writes, “In the Old Testament the New is concealed, in the New Testament the Old is revealed[3].”
The Old Testament Matters
Therefore, it is highly unfortunate that these great books of scripture are highly ignored. Perhaps the Christian thinks that the Old Testament is inferior to the New Testament in some way. Maybe they see the law given and think it has no basis in their spiritual reality. In some cases, they may have been told that the Pentateuch just does not matter anymore because Jesus established a new covenant.
In this series of blog posts a look at the Pentateuch and its role in the life of the ancient Israelites will be given. The role of the Pentateuch in the life of today’s Christian will also be discussed. Lastly the meaning of the Pentateuch in relation to the rest of the canon will be discussed. The Pentateuch is divine revelation and still commands respect and study. Within its pages we discover the grace of God and his love for humanity.
Stay tuned over the next few days as different parts in the series are posted. The next article, hopefully posted tomorrow, will discuss the first five books of the Bible and what the law is.
Bibliography
[1]. Gane, Roy, Old Testament Law for Christians: Original Context And Enduring Application (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 3.
[2]. John William Drane, Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford: Lion Publishing plc, 2000), 14.
[3]. Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament, vol. 1, & II. A Library of Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church, Anterior to the Division of the East and West (Oxford; London: John Henry Parker and J. G. F. and J. Rivington and J. and F. Rivington, 1844–1845), 755.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In