A Layman’S Commentary Volume 1: Volume 1— Book of the Law

By John Devine

In todays world, it can be difficult to maintain your faith. Those seeking a greater understanding of the Bible have numerous excellent theological commentaries available to them, but due to volume and depth, many of these are out of reach of laypeople. Others lose contact with the Bible, because it no longer seems relevant to life. They use a superficial knowledge of science and evolution to exclude God and faith from their experiences.

The Laymans Commentary: Volume 1Book of the Law presents a passageby- passage explanation of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch. In this first volume, author John Devine covers biblical passages from the Beginning to the end of the Exodus from Egypt. He explains Gods self-revelation and plan for a relationship with humankind. He considers the relevance of creation and science, as well as Gods moral standard, which has been the backbone of Western society. Devine also lays out the basis for a full and rewarding relationship with God.

The first book in The Laymans Commentary: Volume 1Book of the Law provides many proven principles for life and leadership. Devine provides examples from life based on characters and situations. They confirm science and faith are complementary in giving purpose and meaning to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: Nov 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781452511832

John Devine

John Devine, MEngSC, spent forty-five years in management, executive, and consulting roles in heavy industry in Australia and overseas. An active volunteer lay leader and teacher, he has conducted many seminars in leadership, management, planning, finance, and biblical studies in Australia and Papua New Guinea, Africa, and Fiji.

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Copyright © 2013 John Devine

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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Balboa Press rev. date: 11/7/2013

Books of the Bible - Introduction

Introduction - The Bible is unique - it is the oldest consistent record of God’s involvement with mankind. Despite its longevity with 66 Books and some forty authors there is a unified theme throughout -

• The Bible is the self-revelation of God - his character and nature

• The Bible explains the reason for the creation of the universe, the earth and mankind - to enter into a relationship with God for eternity

• The Bible is a record of God’s dealings with mankind from the beginning to the fulfillment of his plan of salvation in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the spread of that message to the world.

The Bible was inspired by God – men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit 2Pet 1:21; 2Tim 3:16.

The Bible consists of two parts -

THE OLD TESTAMENT is the first great revelation of God. There are many truths about the character and purpose of God that we would not know without it. Testament means covenant - between God and man. We learn about God’s relationship with people and ultimately through Abraham and his descendents, the children of Israel. The prophets foretold of one who would come, the Messiah, to establish the perfect rule.

Authors - There are 39 Books subdivided from the original 24 Books written in Hebrew over 1,500 years with more than thirty authors.

Period - From the beginning of recorded history to the birth of Jesus – over some 4,000 years.

Theme - God created all things for the purpose of relationship with mankind. He chose a people through Abraham, a man of faith to reveal himself to the world. He established a standard of life for the good of all mankind.

THE NEW TESTAMENT is the fulfillment of the expectations of the Old Testament with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah. Through his life, death and resurrection he removed the offence of sin to God and made it possible for those who believe in him to have eternal life.

The Old Testament is incomplete without the New Testament as the people were looking forward to fulfillment. The New requires the Old which provides explanation and meaning.

Authors - There are 27 Books written in Greek over 60 years by eight contemporary authors most of whom were eyewitnesses to the events.

Period - From the birth of Jesus to the spread of the Gospel into Europe.

Theme - God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life Jn 3:16. The plan will be complete with the return of Jesus to establish his eternal kingdom.

There are several ways of understanding the chronologies in the Bible. The durations and dates presented are to allow an appreciation of the timelines and the sequence of events.

Contents

Books of the Bible - Introduction

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Book of the Law

The first five Books of the Bible or Pentateuch (five books) including Genesis make up the Book of the Law Deu 31:26. Law ‘torah’ means ‘teaching’ or ‘instruction’. They bring together the basic understanding of the Creation and the beginning of God’s relationship with mankind as it developed through one man, Abraham and his descendants who became the nation of Israel. They are as relevant today as then, in revealing God’s purposes, nature and character.

They are also called the Books of Moses who compiled them from early verbal records and was instrumental in leading the people through the period of the latter four Books.

Genesis – ‘beginnings’

Introduction – Genesis is revelation – God revealing his Person and his plan for creation and mankind. It describes the beginning of all things in terms that have been understood by people of all ages.

Genesis is not intended as a scientific text of the 21st century. However it describes the creation in a way that could not have been conceived by the human mind at the time it was received (pre 2000 BC) if it were not for the fact that it was revealed (compare it with other ancient writings!). Furthermore, as a basic description it fits within the framework of our knowledge today. It speaks in terms that all people can understand.

The focus is not on the scientific detail of Genesis but on the existence and purpose of God. To acknowledge God brings understanding to the Book and meaning to existence. To deny God is to produce criticism and rejection. Creation by God alone is essentially a primary matter of faith Heb 11:3.

Science cannot provide answers to the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of existence. However Genesis provides the meaning and purpose of all things.

It is also a record of people of faith – Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph – from the earliest of times Heb 11:1-40.

Genesis is not a comprehensive history of mankind. The narrative has been reduced to the basic facts needed to present the purpose of creation in a way that can be understood by people of all intellects. Yet the Bible is the oldest integrated record of the history of mankind on earth – from around 4000 BC to AD 100. It also provides the means of redemption and eternal life.

Author – The various records that made up the original accounts would have been mainly verbal until compiled by Moses who, being trained in Egypt as a prince had the skills of writing and record keeping Deu 31:24.

Period – The age of creation is not stated. A figure of 4000 BC for the appearance of Adam refers to the chronological record of the events in the Bible and is not comprehensive (ref p 95).

The purpose of the record was to present God’s reason and plan for the creation. The time of Abraham’s birth was around 1951 BC and the death of Joseph around 1590 BC.

Location - The Bible history began in Mesopotamia the birthplace of civilization and took place in the Fertile Crescent which stretches from Ur of the Chaldeans between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers through Canaan to the Nile River. Canaan was the Promised Land. It connected the great empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Persia and would be dominated by Greece and Rome.

Theme – The Beginnings of God’s Relationship with Mankind

• Beginning of the Universe – The eternal God created all things physical out of nothing – 1:1-25

• Beginning of Mankind – Adam and Eve were created with specific purpose as representatives of mankind in the Garden of Eden – 1:26 to 2:25

• Beginning of Sin – Separation of Mankind from the intimate Presence of God because they fell short of the standard required – 3:1-24

• Beginning of Empire - The consequences of sin and the development of civilization – 4:1 to 5:32

• Beginning of Judgment – Increase of evil and the Flood - 6:1 to 9:29

• Beginning of the Chosen People - The call of Abraham and the Covenant Promise based on faith – 10:1 to 50:26.

The great theme of Genesis and the whole Bible is that the Sovereign Creator God chooses to enter into covenant relationship with mankind, an experience that is available today through faith in Jesus Christ 1Jn 5:11,12.

SUMMARY

God Was in the Beginning 1:1

Creation of All Things 1:2-31

The Focus on Mankind 2:1-25

The Fall of Man 3:1 to 5:32

The Flood 6:1 to 11:32

The Call of Abraham 12:1 to 14:24

The Covenant with God 15:1 to 21:34

Abraham’s Greatest Test 22:1 to 28:22

Twelve Tribes of the Nation of Israel 29:1 to 36:43

Joseph, His Dreams and Trials 37:1 to 41:57

The People of Israel in Egypt 42:1 to 50:26

An Example of a Great Leader (ref p35)

GOD WAS IN THE BEGINNING

1:1 In the beginning God The Bible begins with the fact that God exists - before all things. He is Eternal, Spirit, the Procuring Cause, the Source of all things. From him all things proceeded Rev 4:8,11.

Eternal – that which has always existed - without beginning and end Ps 90:2; Is 40:28; 44:24; 57:15; Rom 1:20; 1Tim 1:17; 6:15,16. In a finite universe – beyond is the One ‘who was, and is, and is to come’ Rev 4:8 – the only Absolute.

• God - Elohim (Hebrew El – strong; Elohim – majesty, plural) – ‘He who is in the highest degree to be reverenced’. The name implies Creator, Provider and Supreme Ruler 2:4-6 - unique to the Hebrew people - as apart from the man-made gods (els) and idols of the world. The plural nature of the word prefigures the Trinity 1:26; 3:22.

• the beginning – of the universe, heavens, earth, nature, creatures, mankind, fellowship, sin, salvation, judgment, God’s chosen people - of all things. Science recognizes a beginning of space, time,