The Law Collection

The Law Collection contains the first five books of the Bible. Sometimes these are also referred to as the Pentateuch (the five scrolls) or the Torah (the law).

These five books form the foundational worldview of Judaism and therefore also of Christianity. To most richly understand the New Testament’s message of hope in Jesus, you need to have a solid grounding in the Law.

The shared aesthetic for this collection is a stylised top view of the Ark of the Covenant. The words תורת יהוה (the law of Yahweh) are inscribed at the top and bottom, wings of the cherubim sit at each corner of the Ark, and connecting them are 12 images unique to each book. This theme highlights one of the most striking elements of the Law—the presence of God.

The Collection

Genesis

The 12 images for the book of Genesis capture God’s pattern of creation in Genesis 1. In particular it depicts the six days he creates through the act of separation: the separation of the light from the darkness, the water under the expanse from the water above, the sea from the land, the day from the night, creatures of the water from birds of the sky, and finally the animals of the ground from man and woman who bear his image.

Exodus

The 12 images for the book of Exodus capture God’s astounding rescue of the Israelites through his powerful deeds. The first 10 images depict the 10 plagues which rained down on Egypt (chapters 7-11) and the final two images depict the splitting of the Red Sea to provide a safe path for the Israelites (chapter 14).

Leviticus

The 12 images for the book of Leviticus capture the goodness of God’s grace provided through the Old Testament sacrificial system. The first 10 images depict the purpose (on the left) and the means (on the right) of the 5 primary sacrifices acceptable to the Lord: the burnt offering (chapter 1), the grain offering (chapter 2), the fellowship offering (chapter 3), the sin offering (chapter 4) and the guilt offering (chapter 5). The final two images depict the two goats central to the sacrifices on the Day of Atonement (chapter 16) which brought cleansing to all of Israel.

Numbers

The 12 images for the book of Numbers capture the patience of God in the face of constant grumbling. They depict the 12 staffs placed in the presence of the ark of the covenant, which represented the twelve tribes. Only the staff of Aaron has budded, blossomed and produced almonds as a sign of God’s divine selection of the line of Aaron to be the mediators of his presence and to gently bring to an end the rebellious grumbling of the Israelites (chapter 17).

Deuteronomy

The 12 images for the book of Deuteronomy capture the stark choice laid before the Israelites by God at the edge of the promised land. On the left they depict the many blessings which God will shower upon those who keep the stipulations of the covenant and on the right they depict the curses which will be meted out for breaking the covenant (chapter 28).