How would you summarize the message of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible?
For our February teaching at Bethany Bible School on the theme of "Law", I chose five words.
1. Liberation. God rescued a people from slavery.
2. Provision. God led the people in the desert. God fed the people in the desert.
3. Covenant. God made a covenant with Israel, an agreement of mutual faithfulness.
4. Law. God gave Israel instruction on how to remain faithful to God.
5. Holiness. God set Israel apart as a witness before the nations.
I then summarized these five in two words.
1. Grace. God chose Israel, not because of its righteousness but because of God's love.
2. Justice. Israel responds to God's grace by practicing justice in all of its relationships.
And finally, one word:
Love. Israel's life flows from and is characterized by God's love.
Much more could be said. But this is one framework for telling the story.
-Joe
And it's a good framework; I'm inclined to say, it's the best framework possible. I start my Dynamics and Theology of Reconciliation class by telling students: In this class, one of the things we will learn, almost certainly the main thing, is that it all comes down to love. Before the end of the class we will wade together through a swamp of intellectual, moral, and spiritual complexity so knotted and dense that at times you will wonder if there is any way out; floundering, you may wonder if you will drown here. But when we climb out on to solid ground, the simplicity on the other side of complexity will be, it's all about love.
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