Moses wrote the Pentateuch
Because the first books of the Bible are the foundation
blocks of the whole Bible, the critics have spent a lot of time and effort
attacking these books. One of their attacks has been centered on questioning
the authorship of the books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
The following are some good, solid replies to the critics:
Pent = five. Pentateuch = the first five books of the
Bible.
1. Each of the books, except Genesis says it is the work of
Moses.
Ex. 12:1-28,20-24,25-31,34.
Lev. 1-7,8, 13,16,17-26,27.
Num. 1,2. 4, 6: 1 -21, 8: 1 - 4,5 - 22, ch. 15,
19,27: 6 - 23, ch.28,29,30 and 35.
Dent. I - 33.
2. Every chapter lists attributes such as its author, i.e.
Moses, in either its superscription or subscription.
3. Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house, and was "learned
in all the wisdom of the Egyptians" Acts 7:22. His learning must have
included writing. He would have had access to several histories, since the
Egyptians had extensive libraries, and the Hebrews too had carefully preserved
records of their origins. Moses also had 40 years in
Qualifications to write
the Pentateuch.
1. Moses was trained in the royal Egyptian court. That is,
he was raised in a cultural
atmosphere of education and learning and high academic
disciplines. From archeological remains, even the women's toilet articles are
inscribed, which shows a wide-ranging use of literacy.
2. Moses must have received, somewhere along the way, the
records of God's earlier encounters with the Hebrews (Abram, Isaac and Jacob),
since he was their leader and general. Not once was the charge ever brought
against him that he was a 'stranger' to
3. Moses had an intimate knowledge of the land, climate,
languages, customs and religions of his time.
4. Moses was motivated to write an accurate record, for the
sake of the nation - to give them moral and practical foundations. His record
has been received unanimously by millions of Hebrews, and later Jews, down the
centuries, as an account of integrity and accuracy.
New Testament confirmation of Moses'
authorship: Mark 12:19, John
1:17,
Jesus believed the Torah (The Law) was
written by Moses Mark
7:10, 10:3 -5, 12:26, Luke 5:14, 16:29 - 31, 24:27. 44, John
7:19, 23. Especially see
John 5:45-47.
As with every
attack on God’s Word, the critics have had to retreat, renounce their
criticism, or wear themselves out fighting a lost cause. The Bible, like an
anvil, has worn out many hammers.