Friday, 2 August 2013

Honest Abram

Genesis Chapter 12

Abraham is the founder of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – here is a great chance to examine the character of one of the most influential people in the course of human history.

So Abram (the "ha" appears later, I've not forgotten) has been living in Haran (modern day Iraq) and God calls him to move away from his family, promises a great name that will be a blessing for all people,

Abram follows God and moves to what is now Israel/Palestine which God promises to give his descendants, bearing in mind that Abram has no children, and is knocking on a bit.

The next thing that happens is a little test- things turn slightly difficult in Canaan and our hero Abram ups sticks and disappears off to Egypt, where – get this – he passes his wife off as his sister so that he would get favourable treatment from any potentially jealous locals.


The next thing is that God afflicts the slightly dishonest Abrams hosts with disease before anybody manages to do anything with Sarai (Abraham’s wife)  This strikes me as a wee bit unfair, Abram has lied about his wife leading people to think that she was available, and sarai had not objected to the deception.

Perhaps it was a loud hint from God in time to stop anything untoward happening?
I really do not know.

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