ChristLife Servant Leadership Ministry

 Bible Study Series:

The Torah / The Books of Moses / The Pentateuch

Genesis

Introduction

Genesis and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

Travels in Canaan [Map]

Part 1: Prologue

Creation [1:1-2:3]: The Creation of Man – The Seventh Day

Part 2: Beginnings –

The Lines of Heaven, Earth, and Primeval Man

Man in Eden [2:4-24]: Man and Woman – The Names of God

The Expulsion from Eden [2:25-3:24]: The Tree of Knowledge: Three Interpretations – The Tree of Life

Cain and Abel [4:1-26]: Farmer and Shepherd – The rejected Sacrifice – Am I my brother’s keeper?

Primeval Man [5:1-6:8]: The early Generations – the Divine Beings

The Flood [6:9-8:14]: The Generations of the flood – The man Noah – Two questions about God – The two sources of the flood story

After the Flood [8:15-9:29]: Rainbow – The crime of Ham – The Noahide Laws – A source of Jewish Law

The Nations [10:1-32]: The Table of Nations

Babel and after : The end of Prehistory [11:1-26]: Conclusions of the prologue – Historical background - Interpretations

Part 3: The Line of Terah – Abraham

The Call of Abraham [11:27-12:9]: The Call – The Choice – The Challenge – The Blessing and the Curse

Wanderings [12:10-13:18]: You are my sister – The Promised Land

The War of the Four against the Five [14:1-24]: Abraham the Hebrew – Melchizedek

The Covenant between the pieces; the birth of Ishmael [15:1-16:16]: The reality of the Covenant – The nature of the Covenant – The Ritual

The Covenant of Circumcision [17:1-27]: Circumcision – An ancient practice – Identity and name

The Messengers [18:1-15]: Angels

Sodom and Gomorrah [18:16-19:38]: Abraham’s argument with God – The merit of the righteous few – The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah – Lot

Crises [20:1-21:34]: Human feelings and Divine purpose

The Akedah [22:1-24]: The sacrifice – The test – Questions about the God of the Akedah – Father and son

The Death of Sarah [23:1-20]: Sarah – Machpelah

Rebekah at the Well [24:1-25:18]: On marriage – The Servant’s Prayer

Part 4: The Line of Isaac

The Twins [25:19-34]: The Birthright – The moral problem

The Life of Isaac [26:1-35]: Isaac’s personality

Isaac Blesses His Sons [27:1-28:9]: The deception – Was Isaac really deceived? – Rebekah

Jacob’s Dream [28:1-22]: Trial and Trembling

Jacob in Haran [29:1-30:43]: The Tribal Ancestors – Biology and Faith

Jacob’s departure from Haran [31:1-32:3]: Rachel’s Theft

Jacob becomes Israel [32:4-33:17]: The Struggle – The Reconciliation

The Rape of Dinah [33:18-34:31]: The Tragic Element – The Reprimand

Births and Deaths [35:1-36:43]: The Edomites – The Character of Esau

Part 5: The Line of Jacob

Young Joseph [37:1-36]: Reuben and Judah

Tamar [38:1-30]: Destiny

Joseph in Egypt [39:1-40:23]: The Temptation – Dreams

The Elevation of Joseph; The Bothers First Visit [41:1-42:38]: A  Man in Conflict

The Brothers Second Visit [43:1-44:17]: On divination

Joseph reveals His identity [44:18-45:15]: A Test

Jacob goes to Egypt [45:16-46:27]: A Paradox

Jacob in Egypt [46:28-47:27]: The Shepherds – Political Morality

The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh [47:28-48:21]: The Blessing

Jacob’s Testament [49:1-27]: The Vision of Jacob

The Deaths of Jacob and Joseph [49:28-50:26]: The Measure of a Man

Exodus

Introducing Exodus

Exodus and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

Major Theories on the Israelites’ Route from Egypt to Kadesh-barnea [Map]

Part 1: Prologue

Israel in Egypt [1:1-22]: The Absence of God – Slavery in Egypt

Moses [2:1-25]: Literary Notes – The Character of Moses

Part 2: the Mission

The Call [3:1-4:18]: The Vision – Moses’ Faith – The Signs – The Divine Name Ehyeh

Return [4:19-6:1]: The Bridegroom of Blood – Pharaoh’s harden heart

The Second Revelation [6:2-7:13]: My Name YHWH – Linguistic excursus on the Name YHWH

Part 3: Confrontation and Exodus

The First Six Plagues [7:14-9:12]: The Plagues –Natural or Supernatural?

The Last Four Plagues [9:13-11:10]: The Pharaonic View

Passover and Deliverance [12:1-42]: The Historical Passover – Passover in the Christian Tradition

Addenda to the Passover Observance [12:43-13:16]: Tefellin – Literary Analysis

Part 4: The Road to Sinai

Rescue at the Sea [13:17-14:31]: The Pillar of Cloud and of Fire – The Rescue at Sea – The Route

Shirah – The Song at the Sea [15:1-25]: The Poem – The Women Danced

In the Wilderness [15:22-16:36]: The Manna

Foes and Friends [17:1-18:27]: The Memory of Amalek – Jethro

Part 5: Revelation and Commandment

At Sinai [19:1-25]: The Covenant – The Chosen People

The Decalogue – General Introduction; The First Three Commandments [20:1-7]: The First Commandment – The Second Commandment – The Third Commandment

The Decalogue – The Sabbath Day [20:8-11]: Origins – The Sabbath in the Bible – In the Later Days – The Sabbath in Christianity, Roman Antiquity, and Islam

The Decalogue – The Fifth to the Tenth Commandments; Postscript [20:12-18]: The Fifth Commandment – The Sixth Commandment – The Seventh Commandment – The Eighth Commandment – The Ninth Commandment – The Tenth Commandment

Part 6: Laws

Laws on Worship, Serfdom, Injuries [20:19-21:36]: Slavery in the Torah – An Eye for an Eye – The OX that gores

Laws on Property and Moral Behavior [21:37-23:9]: Protection of the Weak – Dealing with the Enemy – Capital Punishment – Virgins

Laws on Cultic Ordinances; Affirmation of the Covenant [23:10-2418]: Israel’s Society (As reflected in the Book of the Covenant) – ‘You shall not boil a kid in it’s mother’s milk’

Part 7: Sanctuary and Service

Ark, Lamp-stand, Tent, and Altar [25:1-27:19]: The Cherubim – The Table and Bread – The Lamp-stand (Menorah)

The Regular ‘Perpetual’ Light; Priest and Their Vestments [27:20-28:43]: The Regular ‘Perpetual’ Light – Urim and Thummim

Investiture [29:1-31:18]: Incense – Ordination – The Shekel

Part 8: Apostasy and The Second Covenant

The Golden Calf [32:1-33:6]: The calf-history – The calf-theology – The role of Aaron

A New Covenant; The Nature of God [33:7-34:35]: The Nature of God

The Building of the Tabernacle [35:1-38:20]: Kindle no fire on the Sabbath – Bezalel-on Art in Judaism

The Erection of the Tabernacle [38:21-40:38]: The Tabernacle- it’s form – The Tabernacle it’s meaning

Leviticus

Introducing Leviticus

Leviticus and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

Part 1: Laws of Sacrifice

Introduction: Ancient concepts of sacrifice – Ancient sacrifices – Sacrifice in the Bible – Talmudic views – Medieval views – Modern attitudes – The sacrificial legislation of the Torah

The Olah – Burnt Offering [1:1-17]

The Minchah – Meal Offering [2:1-16]

Zevach Shelamin – Sacrifice of Well-Being [3:1-17]

Chatat – Sin Offering [4:1-35]

Chatat – Sin Offering; Asham-Guilt Offering [5:1-26]

Laws of Sacrifice – Olah, Minchah, Chatat [6:1-23]

Laws of Sacrifice – Olah, Minchah, Chatat [7:1-38]

Part 2: The Dedication of the Tabernacle and the Ordination of the Priest

The Divine Presence in the Sanctuary [8:1-10:20]: Prohibition of intoxicants – Priestly perquisites

Part 3: Permitted Foods and Forbidden Foods

The Dietary Laws [11:1-23]: A few definitions – The scope of the dietary laws – The reason for the dietary laws – The dietary laws in Jewish history – Some modern problems – Reform Judaism and the dietary laws

Part 4: Defilement and Purification

Defilement from Animal Carcasses [11:24-47]

Defilement through Childbirth [12:1-8]

Defilement from Tzara’at [13:1-46]: A note on Judaism and Medicine

Tzara’at of Garments [13:47-59]

Purification from Tzara’at [14:1-32]

Tzara’at of Houses [14:33-57]

Defilement by Discharge from Sex Organs [15:1-33]

Part 5: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur [16:1-34]: The Message of the Day of Atonement – The Origins of Yom Kippur – Azazel – The hazards of the Yom Kippur Service – Atonement and Return – Some problems of the Biblical material

Part 6: The Laws of Holiness

Further Laws about Sacrifice and Food [17:1-16]: Secular slaughtering prohibited – The Prohibition of Blood

Sex Offenses [18:1-30]: Biblical attitudes towards Sex – Post-Biblical Jewish attitudes – Modesty – Incest – Homosexual Behavior – Bestiality – Molech worship

The Life of Holiness [19:1-37]:Holiness – Sanctifying and profaning the Name of YHWH – The Golden Rule

Punishment of Sex Offenses [20:1-27]

Part 6 (Continued): The Laws of Holiness

Laws concerning the Priest [21:1:22:33]: The Priestly role – Israelite Priesthood – During the Second Temple – In Later Centuries – The Laws in Chapters 21 and 22

The Festival Calendar [23:1-44]:

• Calendar Reckoning: The Day – The Week – The Months and the Years – The Names of the Months – The Changes and the Controversies – Eras
• The Biblical Holy Days: Sabbath – Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread – The Offering of the Omer – The Omer Period – Shavuot/The Feast of Weeks – Rosh Hashanah/The Festival of the New Year – Yom Kippur/The Day of Atonement – Sukot/The Feats of Booths – Shemini Atzeret – New Moon

Oil, Bread, and the Blasphemer [24:1-23]: Oil for the Temple Lamps – The Bread of Display – The blasphemer

Sabbatical Year and Jubilee [25:1-55]

• The Sabbatical Year
• The Jubilee Year: The Law – Was the Law ever practiced? – The Book of Jubilees – The Influence of the Jubilee Law
• Slavery – Blessings and Curses [26:1-46]: Tochechah – The problem of Retribution – The sources of Hope

Part 7: Supplementary Laws

Vows, Gifts, and Dues [27:1-34]: Erech – Erkecha – Cherem

Appendix 1(To Chapter 11) – The Dietary Laws

Appendix 2 (To Chapter 6) – The Order of Service for the High Priest on the Day of Atonement

Appendix 3 (To Chapter 18) – Prohibited Degrees of Relationships for Marriage

Numbers

Introducing Numbers

Numbers and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

Part 1: Of Census and Law

In the Desert [1:1-2:34]: The Census Figures

Priestly Service [3:1-4:49]: The First-Born

Laws of Holiness – The Ordeal [5:1-31]: Ordeals – The Ordeal in Jewish Law

Vows of Abstinence [6:1-21]: The Nazirite Vow – Alcohol and Hair

The Priestly Benediction [6:22-27]: How the Blessing was spoken – The power to bless

Of Princely and Priestly Things [7:1-8:26]: The Symbolic Context

The Second Passover; The Cloud; The Silver Trumpets [9:1-10:10]: The Development of Law

Part 2: A People Wandering

Of Rebels and Prophets [10:11-11:35]: The fleshpots of Egypt – Prophetic Power

Of Prophecy and Punishment [12:1-16]: The uniqueness of Moses – How Aaron was punished

Trial and Condemnation [13:1-14:45]: Travels of the spies and the land of Canaan (Map) – The Morality of conquest – Two traditions

Part 2 (Continued): A People Wandering

Various Laws ; Fringes [15:1-41]: The Law of Fringes

The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram [16:1-17:15]: Two traditions – The Punishment – Korah’s argument

Of Priest, Levites, and Israelites [17:16-18:32]: The Flowering Rod – Pidyon ha-ben: the redemption of the First-Born

The Red Cow; Laws of Purification [19:1-22]: The Red Cow

Thirty-Eight years Later [20:1-29]: The Second Murmuring – The Sin – Aaron the man

Wandering and Warfare [21:1-22:1]: The way North (Map) – The way North (Commentary) – The Copper Serpent – The Lost Book

Part 3: The Story of Balaam

The Story of Balaam [22:2-24:25]: Curses – The Speaking Ass/Donkey – The people apart – Balaam-Prophet or sorcerer?

Part 4: At the gates of the Promised Land

Punishment and Reward [25:1-18]: The Moral and Historical Problem – The Priesthood

Of Census and Women’s Inheritance [25:19-27:23]: The Second Census – The Laws of Inheritance

Offerings; Festivals, Vows of Women [28:1-30:17]:moon and Calendar – Sacrifice as Worship – The Status of Women

Part 4 (Continued): At the Gates of the Promised Land

War and First Settlement [31:1-32:42]: The slaying of the prisoners

Review of the Wanderings; Boundaries of Canaan [33:1-36:13]: The boundaries of the Promised Land

Levitical Towns; Cities of Refuge [35:1-36:13]: The Blood Avenger – Cities of Refuge

Deuteronomy

Introducing Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

The Route to the Plains of Moab (Map)

Part 1: Prologue – First Discourse

The Setting [1:1-5]: These are the Words

First Review [1:6-45]: The Nature of Jewish Law – Two Generations

Second Review [1:46-3:29]: Varying traditions – God’s realm

Summary: To Observe the Law [4:1-43]: Neither add to nor detract from – The course of Jewish law

Part 2: Second Discourse

The Decalogue [4:44-5:30]: The Commandment of Social Conscience – The Doctrine of Free Will

The Shema [6:1-25]: The Shema (Its meaning) – The Love of God – The Shema in Jewish Liturgy

Dealing with Idolatry [7:1-26]: The treatment of conquered Nations – Mixed Marriages

The Good Life [8:1-9:5]: Not on bread alone – Chastisements of Love – The source of wealth

The Stiff-Necked People [9:6-10:11]: Defiance – The Intermediary – A note on the Levites

The Good Land [10:12-11:25]: Why love the stranger? – On the geography of the Land

Part 3:Third Discourse

The Divine Command [11:26-32]

The Central Sanctuary [12:1-13:1]: The Centralization of Worship – Blood and meat – Do not inquire

False Prophets [13:2-19]: Prophets

Of Food, Tithes, and Social Equity [14:1-15:23]: Tithes – Dietary Laws

The Holy Days [16:1-17]: The Pilgrim Festivals in Contemporary Observance

Administration of Law and State, 1 [16:18-18:8]: The Administration of Justice – The Monarchy – The Pursuit of Justice

Administration of Law and State, 2 [18:9-19:21]: More on the Cities of Refuge – Magic and Mantic

Administration of Law and State, 3 [20:1-21:9]: The Conduct of War – The Uses of Nature – Unsolved Manslaughter

The Social Weal, 1 [21:10-22:12]: Burying the Dead – Regard for Animals – Reward and Punishment

The Social Weal, 2 [21:13-24:22]: The Prohibition of taking Interest – Divorce – Individual and Collective Responsibility

The Social Weal, 3 [25:1-26:19]: Chalitzah – Thanksgiving

Blessings and Curses, 1 [27:1-26]: Blessings and Curses

Blessings and Curses, 2 [28:1-69]: Comparisons and Uses

Part 4: Final Appeal and Farewell

The Last Oration [29:1-30:20]: Commitment for the Future – The Accessibility of Torah – Turning back

Moses prepares for Death [31:1-30]: Two Theological questions – Joshua, Moses’ Successor

The Song of Moses [32:1-52]: The Poem (It’s Setting) – Structure of the Poem – The Ambivalence of God

The Blessing of Moses [33:1-29]: Comparisons – Analysis

Part 5: The Death of Moses

End and Beginning [34:1-12]: Moses, the man and the legend

Reference Source: “THE TORAH”: A Modern Day Commentary; W. Gunther Plaut/Bernard J. Damberger/William W. Hallo; Union of American Hebrew Congregations; New York.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

During the year of 2016 we suggest that each month containing  31 days, that you read and meditate each morning a Proverb for the day, and in the evening each day, read and meditate on five Psalms, thus completing the 31 Proverbs and 150 Psalms over a 31 day period, seven times over the course of the year. This will be Seven Readings for the year and enable one to place the Words of God in the anals of thier mind, and to write the Words of God on their heart. This is a life transforming process and enrichment to all [Psalm 1:1-6].

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: