Bible Study OnlineLocated at the Bottom of Page
Our journey has now taken us to the point from within the Sacred Scriptures that some would like to call the Patriarchal Stage. Within this stage we will cover the Sacred Accounts that deals with the lives and legacies of some of the greatest people that ever lived. To begin with, we will read about the great patriarch Abraham, who was also known as "the friend of God." Soon after that we come across Abraham's son Isaac. Next we find that his Sacred Account is followed by his son Jacob the "father of the Twelve Tribes." Jacob's Sacred Account will then be followed by his son Joseph the high ranking "Dream Interpreter." Keep in mind that during the "Creation Stage" we learned how God dealt with the world as a whole and now we find that during the "Patriarchal Stage" God has narrowed his focus. God's attention has now turned towards the development of a particular nation that's called "Israel." Know that the Patriarchal Stage covers a time-period that lasted for about 350 years. Within these 350 years we will explore events that dealt with the destruction of the cities called, Sodom and Gomorrah. We will also be introduced to a great and righteous king that was called "Melchizedek." And also during this stage, we're introduced to the "promised covenant" that God had made with Abraham that is also known as the "Abrahamic Covenant." We have now come to a point from within the book of Genesis where we are now being introduced to a great man of God who was called Abram. Now normally from this particular point most would go straight to the Sacred Record of Abraham's divine calling. But what I have decided to do, is to go a different route and make the journey that explores Abram's life before God had called him. And because of this I find that there is some very interesting information that I would like to share with you. And with that being stated, I hope that you won't be too bored with this page, but instead find it very useful and interesting. Understand that when Moses had penned this section within the book of Genesis, he had already recorded the first eleven chapters, which covered a time period of about two-thousand years. Keep in mind that Moses had already written about God's wonderful creation, along with the tragic fall of humanity, which happened during the days of Adam and Eve. Moses also wrote about the "Great Flood of Judgment" and the infamous Sacred Record that dealt with the "Tower of Babel." But when Moses gets to the Sacred Account of Abram (Abraham) and his seed, he dedicates the last remaining 39 chapters from within the book of Genesis, towards the recording of Abraham and the promise covenant that the Lord had made with him. One of the things we have to consider when it comes to the Sacred Record of Abraham, is the fact that he didn't just pop up on the scene as some Bible teachers and church leaders would suggest. Know that Abraham had came from the family lineage of Shem, who was Noah's first born son. I personally believe that this is important information to know, being that the information sheds some light on how Abraham got to know God and how to have fellowship with Him on a continuous basis. We must also be aware of the fact that Shem had lived to be about 600 years old. I feel that this is important to know, because what this meant, is that it's very possible that Shem was a major influence and played a big part during the early stages of Abraham's life. Now remember that Shem was there before God had judged mankind for the second time through the "Great Flood of Judgment." So what we're reminded of, is that Shem had helped his father Noah, when it came to the building of the Ark. And Shem was also there with his father when Noah had ushered in the new world, after the waters of the Great Flood had rescinded. Shem also knew first-hand about God's "Magna Charta" that was given to Noah and the new world at the time. He also had learned about mankind's vain attempt, when it came to the attempted building of a one world power through the massive project that was known as the Tower of Babel. This would be another crucial moment for mankind, being that this would be God passing judgment against humanity for a third time. This judgement included God destroying the Tower of Babel and the dividing of the human-race soon after. Hopefully you can now see how this little bit of information that connected Shem and Abraham means a lot, considering that it's their family genealogy that we will trace throughout the Sacred Record. And make no mistake, it's through the tracing of Shem's family lineage that will eventually lead us straight to the Promised Messiah, who is known as Jesus (Yeshua) Christ. I would also like to point out at this time, when it comes to the introduction of Abram (Abraham). First off, let's take a quick look at the Sacred Record that deals with the brief mentioning of Abram's father, Terah: "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Haran. But when they came to Haran they settled there." -- (Genesis 11: 31) Now from out of this passage let's zero in on the city that Abram was called out of, which was called "Ur of the Chaldeans." Understand that this place was a very important city that was located within the southern part of Mesopotamia. The "city of Ur" at the time was acknowledged as perhaps, the main place were civilization had started some of its first major cultural developments. However, the Sumerians had eventually gained power over the city during this time, and we now find that it would be the Sumer civilization that would get the official credit from within the covers of the secular history books. These cultural developments dealt with things like writing, pottery, and metallurgy just to name a few -- which made it at the time, perhaps the greatest city that was built. But we should also consider that the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which was located within the Indus Valley civilization along the Indus River, would be the only two exceptions that could rival the "city of Ur.". Moving forward... "And Joshua said to all the people, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel: "Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the river in old times; and they served other gods."'" -- (Joshua 24:2) Know that this passage points out that not only was the "city of Ur" perhaps the greatest city of its time, but it had also developed an idolatrous environment as well. And during this time we now find that the "city of Ur" religious practices were directed mainly towards "Nanna the moon god." Now within the northern part of Ur, an area that was dedicated to this god was blocked off strictly for religious worship. This enclosed area was about two hundred yards wide and four hundred yards long. As they looked around this area, researchers would find a brick ziggurat building which was named "The Tower of Nanna." This brick ziggurat tower stood about seventy feet in height, one-hundred and fifty feet in width, and two-hundred feet in total length. Know that the Chaldeans believed that the "Nanna Moon god" possessed powers that dealt with the measuring of time (this would suggest that they had observed the lunar calendar). They also saw the "Nanna Moon god" as a supreme being of the light of the night and that this god provided fertility for things, when it came to the rivers and lands. They also believed that "Nanna the Moon god" also helped with the longevity of human life and the abundance and productivity of their livestock. I personally find it very important and interesting to know that Abraham not only had to pick up and leave the "city of Ur" and all that it was prosperous and recognized for, but he also had to go against the way his family believed, when it came to their religion and the moon god they chose to serve, over the One True God.
**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 01) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 02) The Divine Calling of Abraham 04) The Strife between Abram and Lot 06) Abram's Mission to Rescue Lot 10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude 11) Sarah the Mother of Nations 13) Abraham Bargains for Sodom 14) Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed 15) The Judgment of Lot's Wife 17) Abimelech Angry with Abraham 
|
|
|
