Series Details
God begins a relationship with His chosen people . . . and had you in mind.
From God as close Companion to Lawgiver, from creation to the fall of humanity into sin, from the heights of Joseph’s Egyptian years to the unhappy slavery of Israel, this sermon series offers an overview of the biblical books from Genesis to Deuteronomy.
The Bible is not a collection of disconnected stories, but a single, grand masterpiece of divine revelation. In this first volume of the God’s Masterwork series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll provides a “bird’s-eye view” of the first five books of the Bible—the Pentateuch. By understanding the themes, authors, and historical contexts of these foundational books, we see the beginning of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
1. Genesis: Where It All Begins
- Overview: A survey of the “Book of Beginnings.” It covers the creation, the fall, the flood, and the call of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph).
- Key Fact: Genesis provides the “roots” for every major doctrine in the Bible, including marriage, sin, and the promise of a coming Savior.
- Scripture: Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
2. Exodus: A Story of Redemption
- Overview: Chronicles Israel’s transition from slavery in Egypt to nationhood. It highlights the power of God in the ten plagues and the delivery of the Ten Commandments.
- Key Fact: The Passover in Exodus is the clearest Old Testament picture of Christ, our “Passover Lamb,” whose blood saves us from judgment.
- Scripture: Exodus 12:13 – “When I see the blood I will pass over you.”
3. Leviticus: A Manual for Holiness
- Overview: Often overlooked, Leviticus details the laws and sacrifices required for a sinful people to live in the presence of a holy God.
- Key Fact: The central theme of the book is “Holiness”—being set apart for God’s purposes.
- Scripture: Leviticus 19:2 – “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
4. Numbers: The Discipline of a Nation
- Overview: Named for the censuses taken, this book records Israel’s 40-year “wandering” in the wilderness due to their unbelief and rebellion at Kadesh-barnea.
- Key Fact: Numbers serves as a sobering reminder that while God is faithful to His promises, He will discipline His children for their lack of faith.
- Scripture: Numbers 14:34 – The consequence of the spies’ bad report: “For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins.”
5. Deuteronomy: A Remainder of the Covenant
- Overview: A series of farewell “sermons” from Moses to the new generation of Israelites. He urges them to remember God’s law before they enter the Promised Land.
- Key Fact: The name Deuteronomy literally means “second law”—not a new law, but a repeating of the Law for a new generation.
- Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4–5 – The Shema: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…”
Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume 1
1. Who wrote the first five books of the Bible? Biblical tradition and internal evidence point to Moses as the primary author of the Pentateuch. As Pastor Chuck explains in this series, Moses recorded these events to give Israel their identity and law as they became a nation.
2. Why is Genesis so important to the rest of the Bible? Genesis is the foundation. Without it, the rest of the Bible lacks context. It explains why the world is broken (the Fall) and why we need a Savior. Most major biblical themes—covenant, sacrifice, and blessing—originate in these early chapters.
3. What is the spiritual significance of the Tabernacle in Exodus? In the Exodus overview, it’s noted that the Tabernacle was God’s way of dwelling among His people. Every detail—from the altar to the Holy of Holies—pointed to the future work of Jesus Christ, who would “tabernacle” among us (John 1:14).
4. Why did God give so many “boring” laws in Leviticus? The laws in Leviticus weren’t meant to be boring; they were meant to be life-giving. They taught a primitive people the difference between the “sacred” and the “common,” demonstrating that an intimate relationship with a Holy God requires purity and sacrifice.
5. What can we learn from Israel’s failure in the book of Numbers? The primary lesson is the danger of “unbelief.” Despite seeing God’s miracles, the people allowed fear to outweigh their faith. The series teaches that “wilderness moments” in our own lives are often tests of whether we will trust God’s Word or our own sight.
