Bible Study Online

In the last article we finished up the recorded account that dealt with Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. I'd also pointed how it would've been very unfortunate for mankind, if Nimrod and his followers were able to finish the tower.

For mankind to be able to be lead as an whole, by one charismatic man, or a group of very powerful and influential people, wouldn't have been fair to the human race overall.

Especially if that person, or group, were to have led mankind away from the very God that had given them life to begin with.

However, it's time for us to move forward...

And it's at this point from within our journey, that we've now come across a stage from within the Sacred Record - that's known as the Patriarchal Stage. Know that from within this stage, we'll cover the Sacred Accounts that deals with the lives and legacies of some of the greatest people that have ever lived.

To begin with, we'll read about the great patriarch Abraham, who was also known as "The friend of God." Soon after that, we'll come across Abraham's son Isaac - who was known as "The Promise Seed." After exploring Isaac's record, we'll find that his account is followed by his son Jacob, who was known as "The Father of the Twelve Tribes." And after that, we will go from Jacob's account, to his son "Joseph the Highly Favored Dream Interpreter."

Now keep in mind, that during the "Creation Stage" - we had learned how God dealt with the world as a whole, and now we find that during the "Patriarchal Stage" - God has narrowed his focus somewhat? For we now find that God's attention has now turned towards the development of a particular nation, that will be known as Israel. Also know that the Patriarchal Stage covers a time-period that lasted for about 350 years.

Now fro within these 350 years, we'll explore events that deals with the destruction of the cities that were known as "Sodom and Gomorrah." And from that point, we'll be introduced to a great and righteous king that was known as Melchizedek. And also during this stage, we'll be introduced to the "promised covenant" that God had made with Abraham - which is also known as the "Abrahamic Covenant."

Now with that being stated, we've now come to a point from within the book of Genesis - where we're 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've decided to do, is to go a different route, and try to take our journey through a path, that explores Abram's life before God had called him. And because of this approach, we'll find that there is some very interesting information that becomes available. And if you don't mind, I would like to briefly share that information with you? And actually, I hope that you won't be too bored with the rest of this article, but instead, find it very useful and interesting.

First off, understand that when Moses had penned this section from within the book of Genesis - he'd already recorded the first eleven chapters, which had covered a time period of about two-thousand years. Now keep in mind, that Moses had already written about God's wonderful creation, along with the tragic fall of humanity, which happened twice - once during the days of Adam and Eve - and the second time came when the "sons of God" - which had came from Seth's household, had fallen under a wicked element, and corrupted influence of Cain's household, that was known as the "daughters of men".

And it was at this moment in humanity's history, that Moses had wrote about the "Great Flood of Judgment" and the infamous account that dealt with Nimrod's "Tower of Babel". But know that 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.

Now one of the things that we have to consider, when it comes to Abraham's account, is the fact that he didn't just pop up on the scene, as some Bible teachers and church leaders would suggest. For I want you to know, that Abraham had came from the family lineage of Shem, who was Noah's first born son. I'm pointing this little detail out to you, for I personally believe that this information is important to know?

For it sheds some insightful light, on how Abraham got to know God, and how he was able to have fellowship with Him, on a continuous basis. I also think that you should be aware of the fact, that Shem had lived to be about 600 years old. Now I feel that this information is important to know, simply because, of what it meant? For the information reveals the possibility, that Shem was a major influence, and had 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 this reminds us, that Shem had helped his father Noah - when it came to the building of the Ark. And also remember, that Shem was also there with his father when Noah had ushered in the "new natural 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 Nimrod's massive project that was known as the Tower of Babel. Remember that this would be another crucial moment for mankind, being that this event, would eventually cause God to pass judgment against humanity for a third time. And remember, that this judgement included God destroying the Tower of Babel - while in the process, dividing and confusing the language of the human-race.

Hopefully you can now see, the importance, of this little bit of information that had connected the households of Shem and Abraham? For I want you to understand, that it's their family genealogy, that we'll trace throughout the Sacred Record from this point forward. And make no mistake, it's through the tracing of Shem's family lineage, that will eventually lead us straight to the Promised Messiah - the One, who is known as - Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.

And while we're here, I would also like to point something else out, 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 known as the "Ur of the Chaldeans." I want you to know, that this place was a very important city that was located from within the southern part of Mesopotamia. Also know that 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 though, 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. Now when it comes to these cultural developments, know that they dealt with things like writing, pottery, and metallurgy - just to name a few. And it was these cultural developments at that time, that had made the "city of Ur" - perhaps up to that point from within humanity's history, the greatest city that was ever built.

But in all fairness, we should also consider that the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which was located from within the Indus Valley, that had ran along the Indus River. For I must admit, that these two cities would be the only exceptions, that could come close to rivaling the "city of Ur."

However that may have been, let's move 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

Now I'm mentioning this passage, for it points out, that not only was the "city of Ur" - perhaps the greatest city of its time, but it reveals, that "the city of Ur" had also developed into an idolatrous environment as well. And it was during this time, that we now find, that the "city of Ur" religious practices were directed mainly towards the pagan deity - "Nanna the moon god."

Now from within the northern part of Ur, an area that was dedicated to this deity, was blocked off strictly for religious worship. I also want you to know, that this enclosed area was about 200 yards wide, and four hundred yards long. And as they'd looked around this area, researchers had found a brick ziggurat building, which was named "The Tower of Nanna." Know that this brick ziggurat tower stood about 70 feet in height, and 150 feet in width, and two-hundred feet in total length.

Know that the Chaldeans believed that the moon god Nanna - had possessed powers that had dealt with the measuring of time (which would suggest, that they'd observed the lunar calendar). Also know that the Chaldeans had saw the moon god Nanna - as a supreme being of the "light of the night" and on top of this, that this god had provided fertility for things, when it came to the rivers and lands. The Chaldeans also believed that "Nanna the Moon god" had also helped with the longevity of human life, and was responsible for the abundance, and productivity of their livestock.

Now I personally believe that it's very important, and interesting, to know that Abraham not only had to pick up and leave the "city of Ur" and all the things, that had given the city it's well respected reputation, and the many things that had made it prosperous. But also knowing, that Abraham had to go against the way that his family and friends had believed, when it came to their religion, and the moon god they had chosen to serve - makes Abraham's account, all the more - interesting.

Okay, now we've finished our little detour. Now we'll begin to move into Abraham's divine calling. We'll also take a look at the city of Haran, and the places that were known as Shechem and Bethel.

God Creates the Earth

**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**

Sarah the Mother of Nations

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

01) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->

02) The Divine Calling of Abraham

03) Abram Goes to Egypt

04) The Strife between Abram and Lot

05) Chedorlaomer Captures Lot

06) Abram's Mission to Rescue Lot

07) Abram meets Melchizedek

08) Abram's Promised Seed

09) Abram's Family Drama

10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude

Added to page 10) The Abrahamic Covenant and its Modification