Bishop’s DADS Class Notes - The Torah: The Foundation of All Things

BISHOP’ S NOTES

DISCIPLES ADVANCING AND DOCTRINAL STUDIES 

CLASS ONE  

Rightly Dividing the Word:

A Guide to In-Depth Biblical Interpretation

 

This will begin a series of classes that will teach methods to comprehensively study the Bible to reveal deeper meanings of scripture, which are usually missed by cursory readings.

Basically, we are a reformed church. A Reformed Church is a Christ-centered church emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and the doctrines of grace. We observe two sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—as outward signs of God’s covenant with His people. 

In the beginning of the Guiding Light Church, I was not knowledgeable that other theologians had already developed a blueprint upon which to build the church. Therefore, I sought out the Word of God for direction. Years later, I discovered the Westminster Catechism and realized that the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechism already had detailed many biblical principles I had laboriously discovered and was a foundation of many Bible-based churches. Therefore, I will refer to these documents from time to time so that you may have additional things to study.

The Torah: The Foundation Of All Things

Torah - the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch or the Torah, is the foundation of both the Old and New Testaments, laying the groundwork for understanding God’s relationship with His people, establishing moral law, covenants and His plan of redemption.

• Genesis

• Exodus

• Leviticus

• Numbers

• Deuteronomy

Reveal the Nouns and verbs in the following sentences:

Deuteronomy 32:46–47 (NKJV): 46 and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.”

This verse highlights the life-giving nature of the Torah, emphasizing that it provides spiritual sustenance, both individually and universally. The Torah is not just a set of laws but the essence of life-sustaining creation.

The Torah is much more than a legal code or a historical narrative. It is considered the foundation of creation, the source of divine order, and the spiritual sustenance that keeps the universe balanced.  The Torah holds the universe together. The Torah is intertwined with God's creative word and eternal wisdom, foundational to the continued existence and functioning of both the physical and spiritual worlds. Through the study and observance of the Torah, believers align themselves with the divine order that sustains all creation.

The Torah holds the universe together. It existed before the world was created and is the foundation upon which God structured and sustains the universe. 

Jn 1:1 (NKJV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Why would I say this? God created the world and everything in it by his spoken word. We shall be studying the Word Of God, starting with the Torah, which we shall see is…

• The Foundation of God’s Revelation of All Things

• The Foundation of God’s Covenants and God’s Promises 

• The Moral and Legal Foundation of law

• The Foundation for Understanding the Rest of the Old Testament

• The Foundation for The Life Of Jesus And The Fulfillment Of The Torah

• The Foundation for the New Testament

• The Torah’s Eternal Significance

Class Overview the next five sessions:

Class 1: Introduction and The Foundation of God’s Revelation

Class 2: Covenants and God’s Promises

Class 3: The Moral and Legal Foundation and Understanding the Rest of the Old Testament

Class 4: Jesus The Fulfillment of the Torah; 

Class 5: The Foundation for the New Testament & The Torah’s Eternal Significance and Conclusion

Class One  Summary: from their notes

• The Foundation of God’s Revelation of All Things

The Torah is the beginning of God’s revelation to humanity. It reveals the nature of God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe introduces God’s relationship with His people, and establishes the covenants that are fundamental to understanding the rest of the Bible.

Genesis tells us about the creation of the world, the fall of humanity, and the beginning of God’s plan for redemption through Abraham and his descendants.

The rest of the Bible continues to unfold God’s plan of redemption, which begins in these foundational books.

2. The Foundation of God’s Covenants and God’s Promises

The covenants God made with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses in the Torah form the basis for the rest of Scripture. God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17) sets the stage for the development of the nation of Israel, through which Jesus Christ would ultimately come.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV): "Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

The promises and covenants made in the Torah are expanded and fulfilled in the rest of the Bible, particularly in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.

3. The Moral and Legal Foundation

The Ten Commandments and other laws in the Torah form the ethical and moral code for God’s people. These laws lay the foundation for God’s call to holiness and righteous living.

Leviticus 19:2 (NKJV): "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.’"

In the New Testament, Jesus affirms and fulfills the moral teachings of the Torah. In His famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus builds upon the moral and ethical principles first introduced in the Torah, such as loving God and loving one’s neighbor.

4. Understanding the Rest of the Old Testament

The events, laws, and covenants in the Torah provide the historical and theological framework for the rest of the Old Testament. The stories of the Exodus, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the formation of Israel as a nation are repeatedly referenced and built upon throughout the Prophets and Writings.

For example, the prophets continually call the people of Israel back to the covenant established in the Torah, urging them to return to God’s ways and reminding them of the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy.

The entire sacrificial system described in Leviticus is referenced throughout the Old Testament and becomes crucial to understanding the atonement of sin that Jesus later fulfills.

5. Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Torah

Jesus Christ Himself affirms the centrality and lasting importance of the Torah. He stated:

Matthew 5:17-18 (NKJV): "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

The Torah points forward to Jesus, and many events and rituals foreshadow Christ’s second coming, His sacrificial death, and the New Covenant. For instance:

The Passover lamb in Exodus foreshadows Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), whose death brings redemption.

The Day of Atonement and sacrificial system in Leviticus prefigure Jesus’ sacrifice for sin, as explained in Hebrews 9.

6. The Foundation for the New Testament

The Torah provides the context for understanding the New Testament. The story of redemption that begins with God’s call to Abraham and the Exodus from Egypt culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Without understanding the Torah, it’s difficult to grasp the full significance of Jesus’ role as Messiah, the New Covenant, and the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul often refers to the Torah to explain Christian theology, such as in Romans and Galatians, where he discusses faith, the law, and justification.

7. The Torah’s Eternal Significance

Jesus fulfills the law, but the Torah still holds eternal significance as the Word of God. Its teachings on God’s character, the nature of sin, and His plan for redemption remain crucial for understanding who God is and how He interacts with humanity.

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."

This speaks to the unchanging and eternal nature of God's word, including the Torah, which is seen as essential for the ongoing sustenance of all things.

References in the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Question 2: What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?

Answer: "The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him."

The Torah, as part of the Old Testament, is included in this reference to the Scriptures. It is considered part of the "rule" that guides Christians in how to live a life that glorifies God.

Question 39: What is the duty which God requires of man?

Answer: "The duty which God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will."

God's "revealed will" is primarily found in the Scriptures, including the Torah. The Ten Commandments, for example, which come from the Torah, are specifically cited later in the catechism as central to Christian ethics.

The 10 Commandments are referred to as the moral law because they establish fundamental ethical principles that reflect God's eternal standards of righteousness and govern human conduct in relation to both God and others.  

Questions 41-81 focus on explaining the Ten Commandments (from Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5) in great detail. These commandments come directly from the Torah and are presented in the catechism as foundational moral laws that all Christians are to obey.

Conclusion:

For us, the Torah is not just an ancient set of laws, but the foundation for all of Scripture. It contains the origin story of God’s people, the moral law, and the covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ. By understanding the Torah, we gain a deeper understanding of the entire Bible, including the New Testament. Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of the Torah, and it continues to provide the framework for faith, ethics, and the relationship between God and His people.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Westminster Confession of Faith affirm the Old Testament's foundational role (including the Torah) in Christian doctrine, faith, and practice. The Torah's teachings, especially the moral law, are fundamental to the Reformed understanding of Scripture as the ultimate authority for guiding the Christian life. In both documents, the whole Bible is seen as the Word of God, with the Torah forming an essential part of God's revelation. 

A Reformed Church is a Christ-centered church emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and the doctrines of grace. We observe two sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—as outward signs of God’s covenant with His people, 

1. The Foundation of God’s Revelation 

The Torah is the beginning of God’s written revelation and the foundation upon which the rest of the Bible is built. In Genesis 1:1 (NKJV), “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” the Bible opens with the foundational revelation of God as the Creator of everything. This establishes God’s sovereignty over all creation and sets the stage for the story of God’s relationship with humanity. The covenants, laws, and promises contained in the Torah provide the framework for understanding God’s nature as holy, just, and merciful.

Genesis 1:3 (NKJV): "Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light."

The act of creation is achieved through God’s spoken word. Since the Torah is seen as the ultimate expression of God’s word, it is understood to have a direct link to creation itself, thus holding the cosmos together.

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV) (from a Christian perspective) also reflects this concept, saying that Christ (the Word) "upholds all things by the word of His power." While this is a Christian text, it echoes a similar idea found in Jewish thought: that God’s word sustains creation.

Heb 1:1–4 (NKJV) — 1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 

The Perfect Relationship

Ge 2:15–16 (NKJV) — 15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 

Ge 3:14–15 (NKJV) — 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” 

Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV): “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.’” 

Ge 12:3 (NKJV) — 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

This covenant with Abraham shows the beginning of God’s plan of redemption for humanity, which culminates in Christ, the messia0068. The promises made to Abraham are foundational to the unfolding of God’s saving work in both the Old and New Testaments.

The Abrahamic covenant promises a great nation, land, and blessings to all nations.

The rest of the Bible continues to unfold God’s plan of redemption, with Exodus recounting the deliverance of Israel from slavery, Leviticus establishing laws for worship and holiness, and Deuteronomy reiterating the importance of covenant faithfulness.

God as Creator and Sustainer influences participants’ understanding of their own lives and faith.

Conclusion

The Torah (the first five books of the Bible) is foundational to the entire biblical narrative and theology. It introduces God’s relationship with humanity, lays out His covenants and promises, and provides the moral and ethical framework for both the Old Testament and the New Testament. For Christians, understanding the Torah is crucial for comprehending the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the nature of sin, and God’s redemptive plan throughout history.

The covenants and promises made in the Torah form the basis for God’s relationship with Israel and provide the context for the New Covenant established in Christ.

The moral laws given in the Torah continue to serve as a guide for holy living, as they are reaffirmed and fulfilled in Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.

The Torah also points forward to Christ, with its sacrificial system and events like the Passover foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

The Apostle Paul and other New Testament writers consistently draw from the Torah to explain key theological concepts, showing its ongoing relevance for understanding faith, law, grace, and redemption. Ultimately, while Christ fulfills the Torah, its teachings remain eternally significant as part of God’s Word, helping believers to grow in faith and righteousness.

In teaching these points, it is vital to emphasize that the Torah is not just an ancient set of laws for a specific people, but rather the foundation upon which the entire Scripture rests. It reveals God’s heart, His covenantal faithfulness, and His ultimate plan for redeeming humanity through Jesus Christ.

 

CLASS 2

2. The Covenants and God’s Promises

A. Opening Prayer and Review

Briefly recap the previous class, focusing on how the Torah is the foundation of God’s revelation to mankind.

Last week was an overview of the five-part study on the Torah as the foundation of all Scripture. The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) was introduced as the bedrock of the Old and New Testaments, setting the stage for understanding God's relationship with humanity and His plan for salvation. 

The Torah reveals God’s nature as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.

All men are created in the image of God

The plan of God is established for the TORAH

• creation

• the fall of man

• redemption planned

• restoration - Revelation

Objective Today: Understand how the Covenants in the Torah form the backbone of God’s promises to His people and lay the foundation for the entire biblical narrative.

God's covenants are central to His relationship with humanity, demonstrating His faithfulness, mercy, and commitment to His people. 

From the covenant with Noah, promising never to flood the earth again, to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants establishing God's chosen people, and finally, to the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, Scripture consistently portrays God as a covenant-keeping God. These covenants reveal His plan of redemption, promises of blessing, and ultimate fulfillment of those promises through Jesus Christ. 

God establishes relationships based on His promises, and He is faithful to fulfill them.

B. The Covenants and God’s Promises

(There are two main Covenants in Scripture  - The  Covenant Of Works and The Covenant Of Grace)

Dt 7:9 (NKJV) — 9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 

 Psalm 89:34 (NKJV) – God's Unbreakable Covenant

"My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips."

This verse underscores God’s commitment to His promises, emphasizing that God will not break or change the covenants He has established. His words are certain and trustworthy. 

The Westminster documents emphasize the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. 

The following also acknowledge different historical manifestations of the Covenant of Grace occurring  throughout Scripture, such as:

• Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)

• Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)

• Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)

• Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)

• New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; fulfilled in Christ in Luke 22:20).

These historical covenants are viewed as specific expressions or developments of the overarching Covenant of Grace, progressively revealing God’s plan of redemption, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter Catechism, the primary focus is on these  two key covenants in relation to God’s dealings with humanity: the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace. These covenants form the basis for understanding God's relationship with humanity and His plan for redemption. Here's a breakdown of these covenants as they are mentioned in these Reformed confessional documents:

1. The Covenant of Works

The Covenant of Works refers to the covenant God made with Adam in the Garden of Eden, where life was promised to Adam and his descendants upon the condition of perfect obedience to God's command. If Adam disobeyed, death and separation from God would result.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 7, Section 2:

"The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience."

• Scriptural Basis:

Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV): "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’"

• Implications: When Adam fell into sin, he broke this covenant, bringing the curse of death and sin upon all humanity. Because of Adam's disobedience, humanity is no longer capable of perfect obedience and, therefore, cannot attain life through the Covenant of Works.

2. The Covenant of Grace

The Covenant of Grace is the covenant by which God offers salvation and eternal life to sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. Unlike the Covenant of Works, which was based on Adam's obedience, the Covenant of Grace is based on the obedience in the form of practicing righteousness, and the sacrifice of Christ, offered to all who trust in Him.

1 John 3:7–10 (NKJV): 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

Ro 1:28–32 (NKJV) — 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. 

• Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 7, Section 3:

  • "Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe."

• Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 20:

  • Q: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

  • A: "God, having out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer."

Scriptural Basis:

Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) (the Protoevangelium or the first announcement of the gospel): "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."

Romans 5:12-21 discusses how sin entered the world through one man (Adam) but how salvation comes through one man, Jesus Christ.

Implications: The Covenant of Grace highlights God's mercy in offering salvation to fallen humanity. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human effort but on God's gracious initiative and Christ’s redemptive work. It encompasses the Old and New Testament covenants, finding its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Expansion:

The other Covenants: 

Covenants made with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses are central to the entire Bible, establishing the framework for God’s relationship with His people. These are other manifestations of the Covenant of Grace throughout Scripture.

Implications: The Covenant of Grace highlights God's mercy in offering salvation to fallen humanity. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human effort but on God's gracious initiative and Christ’s redemptive work. It encompasses the Old and New Testament covenants and finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Precursors to the Covenant of Grace

• • Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)

    • Let them describe it

  • Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)

Ge 12:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

Ge 15:1–6 (NKJV) — 1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 

Ge 17:1–8 (NKJV) — 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” 

• • Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5)

    • Land: Isaac is promised the same land given to Abraham.

    • Descendants: God promises to multiply Isaac’s offspring as the stars of heaven.

    • Blessing to All Nations: Through Isaac’s seed, all nations of the earth will be blessed, foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah.

  • Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15: 35:11-12)

    • Land: The same land promised to Abraham and Isaac is given to Jacob and his descendants.

    • Descendants: Jacob is promised many descendants who will form a great nation.

    • Blessing to All Nations: The promise that through Jacob’s seed all the families of the earth will be blessed is reaffirmed, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

  • Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24) 

  • At Mount Sinai, God establishes His covenant with the people of Israel, making them His chosen people if they keep His covenant. This covenant involves the giving of the Law and the Ten Commandments.

Ex 19:5 (NKJV) — 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 

• • Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)

  • New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; fulfilled in Christ in Luke 22:20).

Je 31:31–34 (NKJV) — 31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” 

Lk 22:20 (NKJV) — 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

Jesus establishes the New Covenant through His death at the Last Supper, shedding His blood to forgive sins. This covenant offers eternal life and salvation through faith in Him.

The Torah’s covenants (especially the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants) are foundational to understanding the entire Bible, including the New Testament. God chose the people and gave them his laws.

These covenants reflect God’s faithfulness and His plan to bring redemption not only to Israel but also to the entire world through Jesus.

These historical covenants are viewed as specific expressions or developments of the overarching Covenant of Grace, progressively revealing God’s plan of redemption, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Covenant of Grace

Definition: The Covenant of Grace is the covenant by which God offers salvation and eternal life to sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. Unlike the Covenant of Works, which was based on Adam's obedience, the Covenant of Grace is based on Christ's obedience and sacrifice, offered to all who trust in Him.

Heb 8:6 (NKJV) — 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 

Isaiah 54:10 (NKJV) – God's Unfailing Covenant of Peace "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has mercy on you."

Here, God assures His people that even if everything else is shaken, His covenant of peace will never be removed. It highlights God’s enduring mercy and His unbreakable commitment to His covenant people.

 Malachi 3:1 (NKJV) – The Messenger of the Covenant

"Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,' says the Lord of hosts."

This passage prophesies the coming of the Messenger of the Covenant, which Christians understand as a reference to Jesus Christ, who brings the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 7, Section 3:

"Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe."

Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 20:

Q: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

A: "God, having out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer."

Scriptural Basis: Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) (the Protoevangelium or the first announcement of the gospel): "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."

How sin entered the world through one man (Adam), but salvation came through one man, Jesus Christ.

Ro 5:12–21 (NKJV) — 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

2 Pe 1:2–4 (NKJV) — 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Name some of the promises of the New covenant.

The Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace are the two major covenants are discussed in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter Catechism. The Covenant of Works explains humanity's fall into sin and the impossibility of earning salvation through works. The Covenant of Grace reveals God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ, offered by grace and received through faith. These covenants form the backbone of Reformed covenant theology, shaping the understanding of God's relationship with humanity.

The covenants in the Torah establish God’s relationship with humanity and form the foundation for future covenants. 

The covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, and 17 establishes Abraham as the father of a great nation; through him, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. This covenant is crucial for understanding the coming of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, who fulfills this promise to bring salvation to all people (Galatians 3:29).

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV) reminds believers of God’s faithful nature: “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” 

God’s promises and covenants in the Torah serve as a foundation fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly in Christ’s atoning work.

 

CLASS 3 

The TORAH Provides the Moral and Legal Foundation of Society, and An Understanding the Rest of the Old Testament

 

• The TORAH Provides the Moral and Legal Foundation of Society

The Ten Commandments are called moral law because they establish timeless and universal ethical principles that reflect God's perfect standards for righteousness and govern how humanity relates to God and one another. Through Scripture, we see that they summarize God’s requirements for moral living, expose our need for a Savior, and point us to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf.

The Ten Commandments and the laws of the Torah establish the ethical and moral principles by which humanity is to live. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21) are a succinct summary of God’s moral law, outlining our duties toward God and fellow human beings. These universal commandments show God’s desire for a moral and just society.

Leviticus 19:2 (NKJV) emphasizes holiness: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” This call to holiness is central to both the Old and New Testaments. The laws in Leviticus show God’s concern for purity, justice, and right worship, calling His people to reflect His character in their daily lives.

In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the moral teachings of the Torah in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In Matthew 5:17 (NKJV), Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” He not only upholds the commandments but intensifies their meaning by calling believers to a higher standard of righteousness that reflects the heart behind the law.

10 Commandments Hand Signals  (Exodus 20:1-17)

• One finger:

• one God 

• Two fingers and  pull down the second:  

• You shall have no other gods before me 

•  Three fingers and cover mouth:  

• Don’t take the name of the Lord in vain 

• Four fingers and rest hands on face: 

•  Honor the Sabbath day 

•  Five finger - salute:  

• Honor your mother and father 

• Six: symbolize a gun and cock the trigger,  

• Thou shall not murder 

• 2 fingers & 5 fingers up – there are two in a marriage, not five:  

• Do not commit adultery 

• You have eight fingers without your thumbs; if you steal, your thumbs get cut off 

• Do not steal 

•  5 fingers & 4 fingers - it’s five on one hand and  not 4

• Don’t bear false witness 

• Symbolize grabbing  with your hands:  

• Don’t covet 

 

1. The Ten Commandments Establish Fundamental Ethical Principles

The Ten Commandments provide foundational ethical guidelines that outline how humans are to live in relation to God and one another. These commandments cover core aspects of morality, such as the sanctity of life, truthfulness, honoring God, and respecting others' property and relationships.

Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 record the Ten Commandments, given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments reflect moral absolutes that are universally relevant and timeless, regardless of culture or time period.

Romans 13:9 (NKJV) sums up the commandments by saying, "For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

This passage underscores the fact that these moral principles, which begin with the Ten Commandments, form the core of what it means to live ethically in relation to others. They are not ceremonial or cultural, but moral principles that are binding on all people.

2. They Reflect God's Eternal Standards of Righteousness

The Ten Commandments reveal the character and holiness of God. They reflect His standards for righteousness, providing the framework through which humanity can live according to His divine will. Because God's nature is unchanging, His moral requirements, as summarized in the Ten Commandments, remain relevant for all generations.

Leviticus 19:2 (NKJV): "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.'"

This passage teaches that moral law is rooted in the holiness of God. Because God is holy, He calls His people to holiness, expressed through obedience to His commandments.

Psalm 19:7-8 (NKJV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

The psalmist speaks of the perfection of God's law and how it leads to wisdom, joy, and enlightenment. As part of this law, the Ten Commandments express God's perfect standards for human living.

3. They Govern Human Conduct in Relation to God

The first four commandments specifically focus on how humanity relates to God. These commandments form the foundation of true worship and establish that humanity must recognize and honor God's exclusive sovereignty.

Exodus 20:3-8 (NKJV) details the commandments related to God: "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image… You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain… Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

These commandments emphasize worshiping God alone, honoring His name, and keeping the Sabbath. The moral law here is centered on how humans honor and respect God as their Creator and Lord.

Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV): Jesus affirms this principle by saying, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment."

Jesus directly connects the first four commandments to the supreme duty of loving God. To obey the moral law is to love God completely, both in thought and deed.

4. They Govern Human Conduct in Relation to Others

The last six commandments address humanity’s relationship with others, governing ethical behavior in family life, society, and the community. These commandments emphasize respect for life, truth, and property, forming the basis for moral interactions with others.

Exodus 20:12-17 (NKJV) gives these instructions: "Honor your father and your mother… You shall not murder… You shall not commit adultery… You shall not steal… You shall not bear false witness… You shall not covet."

These commandments highlight fundamental moral principles that promote justice, respect for others, and harmonious living within a society. They show how God's moral law governs ethical behavior toward other people.

Matthew 22:39 (NKJV): Jesus says, "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Here, Jesus ties the second half of the Ten Commandments to the love of neighbor, showing that these commandments encapsulate the moral principle of treating others with love, respect, and fairness.

5. They Summarize the Moral Requirements for All People

The Ten Commandments are not limited to Israel or the Jewish people; they represent universal moral truths that apply to all people. The commandments set a standard for righteousness that reflects God’s expectations for how all humans should live, regardless of their cultural or religious background.

Ro 1:20–22 (NKJV) — 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 2:14-15 (NKJV): "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts."

Paul here explains that even those without the written law (the Ten Commandments) have a sense of right and wrong in their consciences. The moral law is universal because it is embedded in the hearts of all people.

James 2:10-11 (NKJV): "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.'"

James underscores the holistic nature of the moral law—breaking one commandment is tantamount to breaking them all. This reflects the seriousness and universal binding nature of the moral requirements expressed in the Ten Commandments.

6. They Reveal Humanity's Need for a Savior

The Ten Commandments provide moral guidance and reveal human sinfulness and our inability to live up to God’s perfect standards. The moral law shows us our need for a Savior and points us to Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf.

Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV): "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Paul explains that the law reveals our sin and inability to justify ourselves before God. The Ten Commandments show us that we fall short of God's perfect standard and need His grace.

Galatians 3:24 (NKJV): "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

The moral law acts as a "tutor," leading us to recognize our need for salvation through Jesus Christ. It directs us to the gospel, where we find forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Christ.

The Bible makes it clear that all humans fall short of God’s standard of righteousness and are in need of God's grace and redemption. The following Scriptures highlight the universal sinfulness of humanity and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through human effort alone:

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

This verse is part of Paul’s argument that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God. It emphasizes that no one can attain the perfection of God’s righteousness by their own merit.

 Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV) "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.'"

Paul quotes from the Psalms to show that the entire human race is corrupt and that no one meets God’s standard of righteousness. This underscores the universal need for salvation through Christ.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

This verse highlights that even the best efforts of human righteousness are insufficient before a holy God. Human righteousness is compared to filthy rags, emphasizing the total inadequacy of trying to earn God's favor through works.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NKJV) "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin."

This verse speaks of the universal nature of sin and the fact that no one is perfectly righteous. It reflects the wisdom of recognizing the imperfection inherent in all human beings.

Psalm 14:2-3 (NKJV) "The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one."

This passage highlights the corruption and sinfulness of all humanity, emphasizing that no one naturally seeks God or does good apart from His grace.

 Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"

This verse reveals the deceitfulness of the human heart, showing that sin is not just an external problem but deeply rooted in the very nature of every person. It highlights the need for transformation that only God can provide.

Romans 7:18 (NKJV) "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

The apostle Paul speaks about the struggle between the flesh and the spirit, acknowledging that apart from God’s grace, our human nature is incapable of producing true righteousness.

James 2:10 (NKJV) "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."

This verse emphasizes that even if someone could keep the entire law but fail in just one area, they are guilty of breaking all of it. It shows that human efforts to meet God’s standard of righteousness are futile.

 Galatians 3:22 (NKJV) "But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

This verse reveals that Scripture declares all humanity to be under the power of sin so that salvation would come through faith in Jesus Christ. It points to the universal need for grace.

1 John 1:8 (NKJV) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

John emphasizes the reality of sin in every person’s life, stressing the need for humility and confessing sins to receive God's forgiveness and righteousness.

 Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

This verse from Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant shows that all humanity has gone astray in sin, but God has laid the iniquity of humanity on Christ, pointing to the need for divine intervention for salvation.

Proverbs 20:9 (NKJV) "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?"

 This rhetorical question emphasizes the impossibility of self-purification from sin. It implies that no one can claim to be completely pure or righteous on their own.

Summary: These Scriptures make it clear that all humans fall short of the righteousness of God, no matter how hard they try. They illustrate the universal sinfulness of humanity and the inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness. Only through God’s grace and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ can people be made righteous and reconciled to God. 

• Understanding the Rest of the Old Testament

The Torah provides the historical and theological framework for understanding the entire Old Testament. The events of the Exodus, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the establishment of Israel as God’s chosen people are continually referenced throughout the Prophets and Writings. These events are foundational for Israel’s identity and their relationship with God.

Exodus 19:5-6 (NKJV): “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 

The prophets often call the people of Israel back to this covenantal identity and remind them of the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-15

The sacrificial system in Leviticus, which provides atonement for sin through the blood of animals, is a precursor to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus. Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV): “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” This system foreshadows Christ’s sacrificial death, as explained in Hebrews 9, where His once-for-all sacrifice replaces the need for continual animal sacrifices.