Revelation in History and

Law

Categorization of First Testament ScriptureTorah (Law) History Wisdom Literature Prophetic Books

GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomy

JoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahTobitJudithEsther1 Maccabees2 Maccabees

JobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of Songs (Solomon)Wisdom (of Solomon)Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

IsaiahJeremiahLamentationsBaruchEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachi

Law and History Texts• First five books of the Bible/Torah

(Pentateuch) outline the Law• Law meaning “Something laid down, fixed”• Historical texts • Ancestry of the Hebrews

Law• Centres around Covenant• Basis of society• Law points to highest values (constitution)• Point to relationship with God

Without laws, Canada would cease being a

sovereign, democratic, capitalist, parliamentary-

democracy. Laws, therefore, establish who

and what we are.

God of the Covenant • Covenant comes from Hebrew Berit (literally,

to shackle)• Different kinds of Covenants• Friendship• Contract• Peace Treaty• Marriage• Treaty between Kings• Lord and Vassal

Above: Friendship CovenantBelow: Master-Servant Covenant

Law of God• Decalogue (Exod. 20)• The Covenant Code (Exod. 21-23)• Casuistic Laws (Case-by-case scenarios)• Laws originating from rural economy (not nomadic)

• Deuteronomist Code (Deut. 12-26)• Laws originating from urban monarchy• Laws from king, how to conduct war, how to

determine who is a real prophet

• The Holiness Code (Lev. 17-26)• Laws for Priests

Nothing symbolizes law better than the ravenous characters of Boston Legal

History Covered in First Testament• Over 2000 years of history covered• Extends as far back as 4000 BCE (time of

Abraham)• Formation of Israel• Israel situated between main powers of the

Middle East• Constantly being conquered and re-conquered

God Intervenes in History• Prophets• Messiah Figures• Nature

Atonement• Sacrifice and ritualistic purification• Innocent blood offered up• Establishes right relationship with God• Receive worldly blessings• Shift in 6th century BCE• Development of afterlife

National Identity• Zionism• A light to the nations• God physically present in the

Temple