1. Pentateuch – Class 10 Wed. Nov. 30th and Sun. Dec. 4th
Certificate in Christian Studies - Pentateuch Class 10
Pentateuch – Class 10 Wed. Nov. 30th and Sun. Dec. 4th
Moses’ Final Words
Textbook chapters 7&8
Deuteronomy chaps
Discuss “the Promised Land”
What is the “promised land?” in Israel’s history, in the period of the Exile / Intertestamental era,
in the era of the New Covenant,
in the Eternal Order?
Dr. Susan Bubbers

2. Chapter 7 p. 123 - 143 Deuteronomy Structure (p. 125) 1:1-5 Setting
1:6 – 4:43 First Sermon
“Learn from the past and Avoid Idolatry”
4:44-49 Setting
5:1-28:69 Second Sermon “Keep the Law”
29:1-30:20 Third Sermon
“Choose Life Through the Covenant”
31:1-34:12 Successor, Song, final words, death of Moses

3. Chapter 7 p
An Ancient Near East (ANE) Law Codes and Treaties
(see p. 125)
Hammurabi was the sixth king of the First Babylonian
Dynasty, reigning from 1792 BC to 1750 BC.
This historical cultural context helps to explain the
structure and content of Deuteronomy.

4. Deuteronomic law codes / treaty understood in the context of the ANE
Put yourself in the mindset of Israel who was using what was familiar to them to try to understand the revelation God was giving to them. They were submitting to YHWH in ways that were unique, yet in terms they could understand. They were the vassals; God was the suzerain/sovereign/king.
“vassal” – ANE term for a person who was granted use of land by its owner, in return for allegiance, service, loyalty
Therefore, idolatry was equal to treason – “killing” the King and placing another on His throne.
Treason throughout history has been punishable by death (The Criminal Justice Act 1990 abolished the death penalty, setting the punishment for treason at life imprisonment, with parole in not less than forty years).

5. The law codes and treaty language were the way to express a covenant between God and His people
The concept of covenant figures prominently throughout Deuteronomy. It is the form of God’s relationship with His people. Everything Moses does in Deuteronomy is meant to keep and strengthen this covenant.
Read Deut. 4: Being God’s people is all about remaining in covenant / in relationship with Him.

6. The primary use of Deuteronomy as a guide to renewing a covenant with God
Moses was concerned to make sure the Torah was passed on with integrity not only to Joshua and the next generation, but to subsequent generations as well (Deut. 29:1, 10-15).
Moses was realistic about Israel’s ongoing need to repent, return to the Lord, and renew the covenant – which they would inevitably break (Deut. 30:1-3, 6-10; 31:24-29).
Moses prophecies of a future prophet (Deut. 18:15-19), which the New Testament identifies as Jesus – Matt 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 12:44-50; Acts 3:12-26.
Moses emphasizes the need to rehearse the Torah and to remember God’s works of redemption, in the context of the Feast (of Tabernacles), in order to renew the covenant (Deut. 31:9-13).
This deuteronomic paradigm for covenant renewal is carried into the NT.

7. Chapter 8 – Pentateuch Themes p. 145 - 158
Old Testament studies over the last century have progressed to now include historical, literary, and theological insights.
Martin Noth was a German historian who emphasized the need to look into the original historical context for the development of the oral and written traditions.

8. Chapter 8 – Pentateuch Themes p. 145 - 158
Gerhard Von Rad was an Old Testament theologian who emphasized noticing literary features of the text. However, his hypothesis “JEDP” is now outdated in favor of understanding God’s self-revelation as progressive.
David Clines is a more recent Australian Old Testament scholar, and he emphasizes the need to interpret the theology of the Old Testament based upon the final form of the canonical text.
This has become the standard approach in biblical scholarship of this century.

9. Pentateuch Themes Reiteration of the Abrahamic Covenant
Be Blessed
A nation / unique community
A home / land of peace
A relationship with God
Be a Blessing
To all ethne
Renewal of the Covenant first given at Sinai in Exodus 19
Reminder of the consequences of idolatry
Reassurance of a future prophet / covenant

10. Hope For Your Journey
The Pentateuch, through its themes, typology, and revelation of God’s character, provides hope for the people of God today. Consider:
Rom. 4: God calls into being what does not yet exist; Jesus is your Lord of whatever “genesis” you need.
1 Cor. 5:7-8 God is the Deliverer; Jesus is your Passover; Jesus is your Lord of whatever “exodus” you need.
John 1:29 God has provided the means of Atonement; Jesus is the Lamb of God who satisfies both justice and perfection; Jesus is every form of “leviticus” offering you need.
John 6:31-35; God is your Source; Jesus is the true manna, our sustenance in this wilderness; and
1 Peter 2:1-11 God is your Transformer; Jesus is bringing you through the wilderness and is making you into a holy nation; Jesus is your Lord of whatever “numbers formation” you need.
John 1:1, 14, 16-17; 14:6 God graciously renews covenant with those who abide in His Torah, His Word; Jesus is the Word; Remembering God’s covenant means Remembering Christ Luke 22:19-20.

11. Congratulations! You have finished your CCS course in the Pentateuch!
Make sure your attendance is correct on the sign-in sheet, so that our records are up-to-date for next Spring’s Certificate Ceremony.
Prepare for our next course –
the Synoptic Gospels.
Find the link to the textbook on CenterATLAS HOME page.
Mark your calendars for
Jan 4th/8th – March 8th/12th, 2017