Law
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(going out)
Four hundred years after the death of Joseph, Jacob’s descendants were being cruelly oppressed by the Egyptians. The Lord sent Moses, Aaron, and ten plagues to rescue them and bring them back to the land of Canaan.
At Mount Sinai they entered into a covenant with the Lord that regulated nearly every aspect of their daily lives. Aaron was anointed as the first high priest. His sons became priests of the Levitical priesthood. They offered sacrifices every day on a single altar located in front of the Tabernacle.
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(matters relating to the Levites)
Men from the tribe of Levi were appointed to assist Aaron in the Tabernacle. They were known as Levitical priests.
The duties of the priests and the requirements of the law were written down in great detail. God’s blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience were listed as well. The Israelites agreed to keep the entire law.
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(counting the people)
A census was taken after the Israelites left Egypt. Then another census was taken 40 years later, just as they were about to enter the Promised Land.
The names of all the tribal leaders were written down. These records would be needed later when the land was distributed to the Twelve Tribes. Moses encountered a great deal of opposition from foreigners, the Israelites, and even from his own siblings during the 40 years that they wandered in the wilderness.
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(second law)
This book is a series of four speeches given by Moses to the next generation, just before they entered the Promised Land. This was a second-telling of the three previous books.
It ends with the death of Moses and the appointment of Joshua as the man who would finally lead this generation of Israelites into their own land— the Promised Land of Canaan.
These four books are a record of the specific laws and regulations that were given to the Israelites through Moses at the time of their exodus from slavery in Egypt.
Read these books in order. They explain the Law of Moses, and the Israelites’ response to that law, which sets the stage for the coming of Christ.
Watch this video for a brief overview of the books of the Law of Moses.
The Law of Moses
The Law of Moses is not just the Ten Commandments
It includes 613 regulations* that affect every aspect of a Jewish person’s life. There are laws about what to eat, what to wear, how to worship, and what to do if there is mildew in your house. The penalties for breaking the law range from a small fine to death by stoning.
Every person who is under the Law of Moses is obligated to keep the whole law. The Law of Moses is also known as the Old Covenant because God later made a new covenant with individuals from every nation.
Major Characters and Events
400 Years of Slavery in Egypt
When Jacob moved to Egypt there were only 70 men in his clan. 400 years later there were more than 600,000. The Jews were cruelly oppressed as slaves of the Egyptians. They cried out to the LORD for help.
Moses
Moses was a Hebrew man who was raised in the Egyptian Pharaoh’s household. The LORD called Moses to be the leader who would liberate the Hebrews from Egyptian oppression.
The Burning Bush
Moses received his call to serve the LORD from a voice that spoke to him from a burning bush.
The Ten Plagues
The LORD used a series of ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to let His people leave Egypt. The final plague was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian family.
The 10 Plagues
1 The Nile River changed to blood.
2 The plague of frogs.
3 The plague of gnats.
4 The plague of flies.
5 The plague on the livestock.
6 The plague of boils.
7 The plague of hail.
8 The plague of locusts.
9 The plague of darkness.
10 The plague on the firstborn sons.
The Passover Lamb
The Jews placed lamb’s blood on their doorposts so the death angel would pass-over their homes on the night the firstborn children of the Egyptians were killed.
The Exodus from Egypt
After the plagues, Moses led all the Hebrews out of Egypt and headed for the Promised Land in Canaan.
The Law of Moses
The Law of Moses was a written document containing 613 rules and regulations that were commanded by the Lord.
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments were a short list of commands that summarized many of the requirements of the Law of Moses.
The 10 Commandments
1 You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 You shall make no idols.
3 You shall not take the name of the LORD in vain.
4 Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5 Honor your father and mother.
6 You shall not murder.
7 You shall not commit adultery.
8 You shall not steal.
9 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 You shall not covet.
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle was a portable temple the Hebrews used for worship and for offering the sacrifices that were required by the Law of Moses. The Tabernacle was used until Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem.
40 Years of Wandering in the Wilderness
The Hebrews wandered in the wilderness for 40 long years because they did not trust the LORD to take them into the Promised Land. After the 40 years were over, Joshua would then lead the next generation into that good land.
Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law
Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law...... Books of the Law
EXODUS .......... LEVITICUS .......... NUMBERS .......... DEUTERONOMY
EXODUS .......... LEVITICUS .......... NUMBERS .......... DEUTERONOMY
The books of the Law teach us about justice.
1
Before the Law there was VENGEANCE.
Powerful men did whatever seemed right to them.
If you harmed or insulted a man he might decide to kill all the men in your village.
2
Then the Law brought JUSTICE.
The law set specific limits. It was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. No more, no less.
This system was fair and just. It reflected the justice of God.
3
Later, Jesus brought MERCY.
Mercy is better because it imitates the mercy God has for people.
Christians are called to forgive their enemies and turn the other cheek. As God forgave them, they must also forgive others.
Where would you like to go now?
Genesis
OT Narratives
