This article is written from the conviction that the laws of the Pentateuch need to be read contextually—they must be understood within their narrative and legal-literary frameworks. The author explores the relationship between laws and narratives in Exodus 19 through Exodus 24.

The article is written from the conviction that the Old Testament has a lot to say about divorce and remarriage. It emphasizes the neglected texts in the Old Testament where divorce is either allowed, or sometimes even commanded. It also notes that God’s estranged relationship with Israel is described by using divorce imagery. The concept of marriage as covenant plays a central role.

The final form of the Old Testament text as a literary whole is much more appreciated today. Sprinkle gives a general overview of modern literary approaches to the study of the Old Testament, noting contributions from Robert Alter, James Muilenburg, Meir Steinberg, Martin Kessler, etc.