The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of speeches from Moses, giving final words of wisdom and warning before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, challenging the next generation to be faithful to their God.

The Book of Numbers is about a road trip gone really bad. Israel perpetually complained, sinned, and rebelled against God at every step. But their repeated rebellion was met by God’s justice and mercy.

The Book of Leviticus is a solution. God took the initiative to provide a way to reconcile his relationship with rebellious Israel. He invited them to live in his holy presence despite their sin, through a series of rituals and sacred institutions. Leviticus is all about God’s grace!

Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the event that forms them into a nation and is the model for God’s plan of redemption throughout Scripture. God invited Israel to enter into a covenant relationship with him, but their own sin and idolatry became the greatest threat to God’s covenant promises.

Genesis is composed of two main movements. Chapters 1–11 are a story about all of humanity over thousands of years. Then chapters 12–50 are a story covering a few hundred years of one man’s family. Somehow, what is happening with this single family is linked to the fate of all humanity. Genesis establishes the basic plot line and basic themes of the entire biblical story.

Torah is the Hebrew title for the first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books aren’t easy to read, and most of us wouldn’t choose to read them for leisure. But they’re important because they create the need for Jesus.