The Pentateuch Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• Today we will begin a new seven-week series entitled Binge Reading the Bible.

• This seven-week series focuses on how God reveals his will and desires for humankind through each specific section of the Bible.

• Each genre, including the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, the Prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles, and Apocalyptic Literature, provides not only a unique focus, but also a special way that God has communicated throughout history and helps us understand the Bible as a whole.

• As we dig into each genre of scripture, we will see the various ways God has spoken to us through each unique genre of scripture.

• Today we begin our journey together by examining the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible.

• The Pentateuch consists of the first five books of the Bible, (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), which contain the revelation of God through the story of creation, the fall of humankind, redemption, the giving of the Law, and the covenant made between God and the children of Israel.

• This section of the Bible introduces critical aspects that will be seen throughout the rest of the Scriptures, such as the living out of God's commands.

• Each book has its own specific purpose, but this section as a whole offers a way for the reader to understand the origins of the Judeo-Christian faiths, along with the basis for our understanding of the New Testament and its historical context.

• These first five books of the Bible set the tone, theme, and continuity of the Bible as a whole; just like any other story, the beginning is what sets up the base for the rest of the story.

• As we study our text together this morning, we can understand the will and desires of God for his people because he reveals himself to humanity through creation, the Law, and relationships within the Pentateuch.

• The books of the Pentateuch are essential because they are the foundation of everything we know concerning God as well as being the foundation of our faith.

• Remember back in the day when you began learning mathematics?

• You started off with the foundations of knowing the numbers, how to count, then how to add and subtract.

• Mouseketeers, we used to not have computers and calculators for doing such stuff.

• I remember in Statistics class in college, my professor wrote out a formula that took up a great deal of the blackboard (google it), and then he said, “YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS FORMULA OR HIT THESE THREE KEYS ON YOUR HANDY DANDY CALCULATOR AND GET THE SAME ANSWER.

• Anyway, when you started to learn math, you did not go right to calculus because what we call basic math is the foundation to be able to understand and complete more complex mathematics such Algebra and Trigonometry and such.

• How would we feel if we enrolled in engineering school or an advanced class without having read the foundational books first? When it comes to stories (including the Bible), the same holds. What occurs, in the beginning, is necessary to understand anything that happens later. We must grasp the Pentateuch to advance in our study of the Bible.

• Today we are going to examine one particular passage that can be applied to the Pentateuch as a whole.

• Deuteronomy 6:4–9 or “the great Shema.” (SHAW MAH). This passage is foundational to the rest of the stories in the Pentateuch.

• It sets the tone for God’s expectations for his people; therefore, the circumstances that we see play out are due to his people obeying or disobeying the command.

• Let’s turn to Deuteronomy 6:4-9. We will begin with verse 4.

• SLIDE #2

• Deuteronomy 6:4 (CSB) — 4 “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. Listen. (4)

• In the previous chapter, Moses delivered the 10 Commandments to the people.

• In Deuteronomy 5:6-9, God tells the people the following:

• SLIDE #4

• Deuteronomy 5:6–9 (CSB) — 6 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 7 Do not have other gods besides me. 8 Do not make an idol for yourself in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 9 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them, because I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ iniquity to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,

• In the 10 Commandments, God explains that He was the one who brought them out of Egypt, He expected the people to worship and serve only Him.