Genesis (Beresheit) is the book dealing with beginnings and eventually its overarching theme is divine election. YHVH is choosing certain people (according to his divine will and sovereignty) to accomplish his purposes.

Exodus (Shemot) is the book whose principle theme is redemption—Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Mitzraim). Here we learn how YHVH saves his people and we are shown that his people are redeemed in order to worship him.

Redemption is perhaps the main theme in Exodus. It is best delineated in the following passage,

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, “I am YHVH, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your Elohim; and you shall know that I am YHVH your Elohim, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am YHVH.” (Exod 6:6-8, emphasis added)

Obedience to and worship of YHVH is another major theme in Exodus.

And he said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be a token unto you, that I have sent you, when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve Elohim upon this mountain.” (Exod 3:12, emphasis added)

And I say unto you, “Let my son go, that he may serve [Hebr. awvawd, Strong’s H5647] me, and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your son, even your firstborn.” (Exod 4:23, emphasis added)

And you shall say unto him, “YHVH Elohim of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve [Hebr. awvawd, Strong’s H5647] me in the wilderness, and, behold, until now you would not hear.’” (Exod 7:16, emphasis added)

The Basic Outline of Exodus

• Chapters 1–6 show us the need for redemption.
• Chapters 7–11 show us the power or might of the Redeemer as the ten plagues are poured out upon Egypt.
• Chapters 12–18 show us the character of redemption; purchased by blood and emancipated by power.
• Chapters 19–24 we are taught the duty of the redeemed.
• Chapters 25–40 we see the restoration of the redeemed—provisions are made for the failures of the redeemed.

Leviticus (Vayikra) gives instructions on how to worship YHVH.

Numbers (B’midbar) gives us instructions pertaining to our spiritual walk and warfare in the “wilderness” of life.

Deuteronomy (D’varim) gives instructions to the younger generation preparing them to enter the Promised Land. Contained within is a recapitulation of the main tenets of the Torah, as well as the addition of some new laws, heart and prophetic issues pertaining to Torah obedience.