a week in the pentateuch, a morning in city of the dead

(the view above city of the dead)

This week we have spent studying the Pentateuch (the first five books of the bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

For the longest time these books have seemed sometimes boring, sometimes monotonous, sometimes mundane; they come across very dry at first glance. This week, as we have just had time to touch the surface of these books, I have seen that there is a wealth of knowledge and insight stored in these books, far more than I would ever be able to comprehend even in a lifetime

As I was reading through Numbers this week, it was getting a little dry. So many laws, so many tribes so many regulations; I was getting a little sleepy. But then I came to chapter 28, yet again talking about daily offerings that the Israelites were to bring before the Lord. In verse 2, it says,

Give these instructions to the people of Israel: The offerings you present to me by fire on the altar are my food, and they are very pleasing to me…

Numbers 28:2 (New Living Translation)

I had to think about this. We had just finished learning about how all the Gods of other cultures and places are needy, and dependent on the offerings that their worshippers bring them. I wondered why our God, a sovereign, self-sustaining God would say that the offerings of the Israelites were his food. But the more I thought about this, the more I saw a God that is not needy, but a God that is more so concerned simply with spending time with his people. God certainly is not sustained by the offerings, worship, or praise that we bring him. Instead, I think that he was giving the Israelites such strict laws and regulations concerning the sacrifices because he simply wanted their attention, devotion, and their hearts.

I see an adult who sits down for an imaginary tea party with their children. The adult knows they are not drinking real tea or eating real biscuits, but they go along with the imagination of the child because they simply enjoy spending time with them.

You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.

Exodus 34:14 (New Living Translation)


In the Pentateuch as a whole, I see the story of God creating our universe so that he could be in relationship with human beings. Man though, in his disobedience, distanced himself from God. God however, did not just give up when man seemed to have gone awry; but rather, he began to institute a system that would bring man back into close, loving relationship with himself. In these books I see how God was redeeming the Israelites back to himself through the sacrificing of certain animals, but this appears to be only a shadow of the way in which he would allow all of mankind to come back to himself through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

(a tomb area in city of the dead)

This Sunday we are leaving Cairo, headed for Mount Sinai, where we will hike to the top at sunset. Throughout the week we will be visiting different geographical locations on the Sinai Peninsula, and eventually Petra and Mount Nebo, both of which are in Jordan. Next Sunday, we plan on crossing from Jordan to Jerusalem, where we will be staying to study for a few weeks. I am very excited about seeing such richly historical places in this next week, and throughout the time that we will be in Israel. I love learning about the history of these places as the history pertains to the Bible, but I am also equally excited to learn more about God’s heart for these places as they are today. I truly believe he continues to be just as passionate for the people in these places today as he was when he originally created them.

(a home in city of the dead)

Many of the pictures in this week’s blog were taken in a place here in Cairo called “City of the Dead.” Originally, this was basically a graveyard, but due to the massive amount of people in Cairo, and not much room to spread out, many people have made their homes here, living amongst the various tombs.

(we can know a God who is committed to showing us the way to life)