INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF MOSES

The Hebrew Scriptures

The Law (Torah)- The Law includes the five books of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).

The Prophets (Nevi’im)- The Prophets comprises the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel [counted as one book], 1 and 2 Kings [counted as one book]) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve Minor Prophets [counted as one book]).

The Writings (Kethuvim)- The Writings consists of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah (counted as one book), 1 and 2 Chronicles (counted as one book)—24 books in total.

The Books of Moses

Deuteronomy 31:9 “Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.”

The first 5 books of the Bible are sometimes called the books of Moses, the Law, the Torah (direction, instruction, or law), or the Pentateuch (5 books or scrolls).

The first 5 books are Genesis (origins or beginning), Exodus (going out or departure), Leviticus (matters of the Levites), Numbers (named for the censuses at the beginning and near the end of the book), Deuteronomy (second law).

The Call to Heed These Words

Hear it, learn it, and obey it

See Deuteronomy 31:12-13...

Meditate on the law

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Teach it to your children

See Deuteronomy 6:4-9...

Preparing Ourselves to Read

Prepare yourself physically

1 Timothy 4:7–8 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Remember that this is a life-long journey

Isaiah 28:10 “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.””

Prepare yourself spiritually

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Recognize your dependence on the Lord and cry out to Him to open your eyes and give you understanding. Pray that He would use the Word to increase your faith and sanctify you.

Remember that reading should always lead to meditation, study, and obedience. So what are some practical ways I can make that happen?

Remember the wealth of study resources we have been given!

Ephesians 4:11–12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

Study Bible Recommendations: ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible

Commentary Recommendations: Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Poole’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Concordance: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by R. A. Torrey

Online resources or Bible programs: biblegateway.com, e-Sword