DR PHILIP THAYYIL
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In the last issue we dealt with the traditions that were basic to the composition of the first five books known as the Pentateuch in the Bible. We shall now try to get an overall idea about each book of the Pentateuch.
I. GENESIS
1. The first section describes primeval history (Genesis, chapters 1-11)
2. The second section deals with Patriarchal history (Genesis, chapters 12-50)
The first part is an account of the prehistoric period which is difficult to understand. It should not be misunderstood as a true account of events that took place.
What is reflected in chapters 1-11 is the faith of the Israelites that God is the Creator of this universe and all that is animate and inanimate in it, and that everything is subject to him. The author has made use of several legends and stories that were prevalent in the Israelite community at that time in order to substantiate this idea.
Chapters 12-50 of Genesis give an account of the history of the patriarchs Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Joseph.
This section can be divided into four parts:
1. The history of Abraham (Gen 12:1-25:18)
2. The history of Issac (Gen 25:19-27:45)
3. The history of Jacob (Gen 27:46-36:43)
4. The history of Joseph (Gen 37:1-50:26)
The historical period described in chapters 12 to 50 spans a long time and is difficult to understand. Here we have the account of the promise made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob (they will become a great nation and will inherit the land of Canaan), the origin of the Israelite nation, the circumstances in which the people of Israel settled down in Egypt through the instrumentality of Joseph and so on.
Extra Biblical documents and recent archeological excavations throw light on the veracity of the historical accounts connected with the history of the Patriarchs.
The book of Genesis is the history of election and rejection. Among the sons of Terah, Abraham alone receives the special call from God. Of the two sons of Abraham, God specially chooses Issac, and of the two sons of Issac, God's special choice is Jacob. Of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph is given a significant place in the divine plan. These events make it clear that the Lord God is the master of salvation history. Man's inclination to evil and God's justice and mercy are also highlighted in the book of Genesis.
The journey of the Israelites after they are freed from the slavery in Egypt, to the promised land of Canaan, under the leadership of Moses, forms the content of the book of Exodus. This book can be divided into two parts.
1. The departure from Egypt and the journey to Sinai (Ex chapters 1-18).
2. The covenant, God made with Israel and the declaration of the laws made to safeguard the covenant (Ex chapters 19-40).
The first part describes the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt (chapters 1-12) and their departure from there under the leadership of Moses (chapters 13-18). In the second part, events like the covenant made on Mount Sinai (Ex chapters 19-24), the Tent of Meeting, the regulations concerning worship (Ex chapters 32-34), and the presense of God among the Israelites (Ex chapters 35-38) are described.
The Exodus event has influenced the religious life of the Israelites. The succeeding generations recall this event through the celebration of the Pasch. The book of Exodus also gives in great detail regulationd and rules regarding the religious, social, economic and political life of the Israelites. The Exodus event has also influenced the New Testament to a great extent. The freedom from sin through Jesus Christ (his passion, crusifixion, resurrection and ascension) reminds us of the Exodus event (Col 1:13; 1 Cor 10:1-2; Mk 14:24; Ex 24:8).
The book of Leviticus, which is the third book of the Pentateuch, can be called the "The Liturgical book of the Israelites". The Jewish priesthood, code of worship, and religious rituals form its contents. The author also insists on internal and external purity. The basis for it is the holiness of God. The devotees who approach God must also be holy: "You shall be holy for, I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev 19:2). The book of Leviticus also reveals the attitude of the Jews towards external practices and ceremonies.
This book can be divided in the following manner:
1. Instructions regarding the offering of sacrifices (chapters 1-7).
2. Laws regarding the consecration of priests, the priesthood and the priestly ministry (chapters 8-10).
3. Instructions regarding purity and impurity (chapters 11-15).
4. The prescriptions for the celebration of the Day of Atonement (chapter 16).
5. Laws regarding purity of life and worship (chapters 17-26).
6. Instructions regarding votive offerings (chapter 27).
In the letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament, the influence of the book of Leviticus is very evident. Jesus is the High Priest of the book of the New Testament (Heb 7:1-28). The one sacrifice he offered delivers man from all his sins (Heb 10:1-18).
(to be continued)
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