Lesson 2: Books of the Law – Description

The first section in the Bible is called The Law. It is made up of five books, and all were written by Moses.

Genesis is the book of beginnings. It tells about the beginning of the earth and all creation, the beginning of man’s relationship with God and the beginning of sin which broke that relationship. The first promise from God to mankind, that He would provide a solution for their sin, is found in Genesis 3:15, and then God demonstrated what that provided solution would look like – He killed animals and made their skins as clothing-covering for both Adam and Eve – to show that covering for their sin would require the shedding of blood.

Other beginnings in this book include the severity of judgment on sin (Genesis 6), the beginning of different languages (Genesis 11), the beginning of the nation through which the Messiah would come (Genesis 12), and the formation of this nation into a unique people.

Exodus is the book where God describes how He wants His people to worship Him. His laws are given to show that people cannot ever live as righteously as He wants them to live – even under the simplest of rules. The Tabernacle, the only building God ever designed for people, is a picture in every detail of who Jesus, the true Redeemer, would be when He appeared.

Leviticus describes God’s holiness and the level of holiness He wants from His people. God wants His people to be separate from the rest of the world in all matters of their lives.


Numbers shows God’s reaction to obedience and disobedience from His people. He demonstrates how He requires obedience from His people even when they cannot understand why He asks what He does. God also demonstrates there are consequences to sin which sometimes even repentance and forgiveness will not take away.

Deuteronomy shows God’s faithfulness to His people. He is the promise-keeper for all who are His. Over and over, in this final address from Moses to the people he had led through 40 years of trials and troubles, of blessings and victories, we see God’s faithfulness to His people through the promises He makes. Every promise God made was kept to every detail.

*As you see Jesus in these different beginnings and foundational laws, what is a new picture of Him you have not seen before?