Interpreting the Pentateuch

In the twenty-ninth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we complete our series, considering three aspects of deuteronomic law code with an emphasis on the laws for leadership found at the center of the book, the laws of king, priest, and prophet.

The post P29 Deuteronomy 12-26 King Priest Prophet first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-eighth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we examine the relationship between covenant obedience, covenant blessing, and covenant curse in the theological exhortation chapters of Deuteronomy 27-30 with a focus on the call to listen, love, and live.

The post P28 Deuteronomy 27-30 Listen and Love and Live first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-seventh lesson of the Pentateuch series, we continue to follow Jesus’ lead in the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for understanding the Ten Commandments as a moral paradigm for the whole law. Our focus in this lesson is on the first half of the Ten Commandments with a focus on loving …

Continue reading "P27 Deuteronomy 5.1-16 Ten Commandments – Love God"

The post P27 Deuteronomy 5.1-16 Ten Commandments – Love God first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-sixth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we follow Jesus’ lead in the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for understanding the Ten Commandments as a moral paradigm for the whole law. Our focus in this lesson is on the second half of the Ten Commandments.

The post P26 Deuteronomy 5.17-21 Ten Commandments – Love people first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-fifth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we consider the chiastic structure of the first theological exhortation section of Deuteronomy, chapters 4-11, and also consider the themes of exclusive faithfulness, self-awareness, and right motives in relation to the overarching theme of covenant obedience.

The post P25 Deuteronomy 4-11 Listen and Love first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-fourth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we get a handle on the overall structure of Deuteronomy by considering how style, form, and structure are developed through the three literary devices of discourse by Moses, suzerain-vassal treaty, and chiastic parallelism.

The post P24 Deuteronomy Form and Structure first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-third lesson of the Pentateuch series, we pause between the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy to consider the issue of biblical parallels with Ancient Near Eastern texts, such as the flood story from the Gilgamesh Epic and the creation narrative from Enuma Elish. How do we explain parallel accounts of events, ideas, and …

Continue reading "P23 ANE Parallels"

The post P23 ANE Parallels first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-second lesson of the Pentateuch series, we make the transition from the Grumbling Generation to the Second Generation with a concentrated look at the intriguing story of Balaam Blessing Israel, better known as Balaam and the donkey.

The post P22 Numbers 22-25 Balaam Blesses Israel first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twenty-first lesson of the Pentateuch series, we consider the second set of four incidents of grumbling during the Israelite’s 40 years of wandering with a focus on Moses striking the rock and why God responded with such harsh punishment.

The post P21 Numbers 15-21 Moses Strikes the Rock first appeared on Observe the Word.

In the twentieth lesson of the Pentateuch series, we consider the grumbling of Israel through the middle section of Numbers and note principles of leadership modeled by Moses as he leads this contentious people.

The post P20 Numbers 11-14 Israel Grumbles in the Wilderness first appeared on Observe the Word.