This article serves as a brief survey of the Scripture covered recently in our daily Bible reading – the last four books of the Pentateuch. The interwoven messages, penned by Moses, are of great benefit to us – offering learning, comfort, and hope (cf. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-11).

Exodus: Exodus means “going out” or “departure.” This book begins with the events by which “the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt” (Exod. 12:51). It ends with the completion of the Tabernacle. Exodus’ keynote is Passover. Concerning the tenth plague, Israel is told: “When He sees the blood…the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer…to strike you” (Exod. 12:23). In Exodus we learn of the power of the Almighty God, the giving of the law under Moses, and the need to build according to God’s pattern.

Leviticus: In Hebrew, Leviticus means “and He called.” In later generations, it was also called the “law of the priests” and the “law of offerings.” The Levites were chosen by God to be the priestly tribe of Israel. The keynote of Leviticus is Atonement. It details how “to make atonement for the children of Israel” (Lev. 16:34). The first section describes the actual worship itself (Lev. 1-17), while the second section contains exhortations given to the worshipper (Lev. 18-27).

Numbers: The book of Numbers is so named due to the two numberings of the people it records – the first Mt. Sinai (Num. 1-4), and the second at Moab (Num 26). In Hebrew, Numbers is called Be-midbar’ – “in the wilderness.” The keynote of Numbers is Sojourning. It records “the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt…” (Num. 33:1). The book of Numbers follows the children of Israel from Mt. Sinai through 40 years of wilderness wandering.

Deuteronomy: In Greek, Deuteronomy (Deuteronomion) means “second law.” However, this is not a second law that supplants the first. Rather, this book is Moses’ farewell address. Moses emphasizes and repeats many of the laws given on Mt. Sinai some 40 years earlier. The keynote of Deuteronomy is Obedience: “What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deut. 10:12-13). Deuteronomy contains the inspired words of Moses, a 120 year old servant of the Lord, as he pleads with the people to be faithful to their God.

David Eldridge