�B Israel's tribal leader Abraham

〜Era of Moses -nomadic existence

God's redemption plan continues from Genesis 12 onwards, and moves right into Moses' Pentateuch (Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

Then the Lord said to Abraham….

Chapters 12-25: Abraham the leader
Abraham's four steps of faith (see Hebrews 11:8-19)
1) The beginning of redemption history 12:1-3
The prophecy of the salvation of Gentiles 12:3, Galatians 3:6-9
2) Life as a nomad/traveller 12:4-9
3) The contrast between the faith of Lot and Abraham 19:18-38
The promised child, Isaac 21:1-7, Romans 4:18, 20-21
4) Test of faith 22:1-14

Chapters 12-20: Abraham's calling, walk of faith

Shem → … Eber → Peleg (10:25, in his generation, the earth was divided up)

→ Reu →Serug→ Nahor→ Terah →Abraham

Chapters 21-26: The story of Isaac

Chapters 25-36 Jacob the tribal leader
In his youth: 'My way' Jacob - yet through a dream, God confirms his plans and protection for Jacob 28:10-22
In his prime: Faith training (marriage, hard labour, prosperity) Chs 29-21
In his latter years: Migration to Egypt

Chapters 27-36: Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel

Chapters 37-50: Joseph the leader
The life of Joseph as a 'man of God' 39:9, 40:8, 41:16,25, 51
He was a foreshadow(model) of Jesus Christ
God's ever present guidance is made apparent through the life of Joseph
1) God works with those he loves, and turns everything to good, 45:5-8, 50:20
2) God knows everything.
3) We can entrust our whole lives into the hands of our all-knowing God who prepares us for our future.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
Romans 8:28-29

And without faith it is impossible to please God , because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrew 11:6

Exodus

Having lived the under cruel oppression of the Egyptian rule, the people of Israel, led by God's appointed leader Moses, are eventually released to embark on a journey to their promised land. Three months into their journey, they reach Mount Sinai where they are given God's laws (Ten commandments and others) and enter into a covenant relationship with the living God. We then follow the Israelites as they wander through the wilderness for a year… and many more….

God's covenant and law
God's covenant
1. Covenant with the created. Genesis 1:26-28
2. Covenant with Noah Genesis 9:1-17
Sign of Covenant: rainbow
3. Covenant with Abraham Genesis 12:2-7, 15, Galatians3:8-9
Sign of Covenant: circumcision
Followed by an eternal, unconditional covenant Genesis 17:7
4. Covenant with Moses Exodus 19:5-6, Ch20
Sign of Covenant: Day of Sabbath
People of Israel ~ God's treasure, Nation of Priesthood, a Holy People 1 Peters 2:9
Ten commandments ~ Rules conveying loyalty to the Covenant
Exodus 20:1-17
5. Covenant with David 2 Samuel 7:14-16
Relationship between Son and Father, Promise of descendants
1Kings 17:4-14, Psams 2:7, 89:27-29
Jesus Christ is the descendant of David Isaiah 55:3
6. New covenant Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Hebrews 8:8-12)
Ezekiel 36:24-29

We are in the era of the New Covenant - what does this entail?
1) God's laws are written on people's hearts
2) The relationship with God is more intimate Ephesians 2:11-13
3) Everyone will be able to come to know God Acts 17:27
4) We gain everlasting forgiveness of sins

Laws
Ten commandments: Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21
1) absolute commitment to God ; the first 4 commandments
2) absolute commitment to others : the latter 6 commandments

Book of the Covenant: Exodus 20:22-23:33
Laws concerning worship and holy living Leviticus 17-26
Supplementary laws : Deuteronomy 12-26

Characteristics of the Law
1) God is the foundation
2) It requires a high standard of living (holiness)
Righteosness and punishment Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:20
Mercy and love Leviticus 24-25
Holiness Leviticus 18-20, 1 Peter 1:15-17
Purity on ethical and ceremonial grounds Leviticus 11-15, Numbers 5
3) it is applicable to everyone - humanitarian rules
Leviticus 21:1-3, 22:22, 23:9,12
Limitations of the Law
1) Impossibility of keeping all the laws? A path to righteousness through faith, necessitating a Saviour Galatians 2:16, 3:10
2) The need for the help of the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 3:14-18
3) Danger of falling into legalism and self-sufficiency 2 Cor 3:1-6
4) God's solution - freedom from the bondage of Law through Jesus
Romans 8:1-4, 7:15-24

Leviticus

A book detailing the regulations of the Levites (priests), including descriptions of the preparation of the sacrifice, necessity of atonement and various festivals. Underlying the book is the theme of Jesus' atoning death, and once and for all salvation. The letter of Hebrew in the New Testament is believed to serve the role of a commentary to the book of Leviticus.

Numbers

A historical book recounting the 38 years of wilderness in the desert of a dissatisfied, unbelieving and rebellious Israel. In the midst of this, we see a God who remains faithful to his side of the Covenant, through his acts of love and judgment.

Deuteronomy

With God's promised land, Canaan just within reach, Moses delivers a momentous sermon. Moses reminds the people of their unfaithfulness and rebellion towards God since leaving the Mount of Sinai, and calls upon the people to reignite their faith and devotion to God, teaching them how to live as the people of God. This book is often called 'the second book of Law'.