Abram: Little Nuggets, 1-3
A ‘nugget’ can describe a small but valuable piece of information or a tidbit of wisdom.
This is the history of Abram
These are the family records of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot. Haran died in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans, during his father Terah’s lifetime.
Abram and Nahor took wives: Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah. She was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah.
Sarai was unable to conceive; she did not have a child. Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran’s son), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they set out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years and died in Haran. (Genesis 11:27-32, Christian Standard Bible [CSB])
Abraham was born and raised in Ur of the Chaldees, which is in modern Iraq.
Joshua 24:2, CSB, tells us that Abram’s family worshipped false gods:
Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. …’”
What can we learn about ancient city of Ur? The people of Ur of the Chaldees worshipped a pantheon of gods. King Ur-Nammu built the ziggurat (which is like an Egyptian pyramid) and on its top a temple was built dedicated to the moon god Nanna, their divine patron. This structure could be seen for miles around, a focal point for travelers, and worshippers. Probably what the Vatican symbolizes in Rome.
Nanna was supreme, because he was the source of fertility for crops, herds, and families. Prayers and offerings were offered to the moon to invoke its blessing.
After leaving Ur, they entered Haran. The people of Haran also served the same moon god as the people of Ur.
Nugget #1
Yes, it is a widely accepted understanding that Abraham's father, Terah, was a craftsman who made idols. This is mentioned in various Jewish traditions and literary works, like the Midrash Genesis Rabbah. Some traditions also depict him as an idolatrous priest. There is a children’s tale where Terah owns a shop and Abram sold the idols.
Terah may have had a blossoming business selling idols, and maybe this is the reason he stayed in Haran instead of continuing to Canaan with Abram.
Nugget #2
Some scholars suggest a link to the name “Terah” and the word “teraphim” which means images or idols.
We read in Genesis Chapter 31 that Rachel stole her father’s idols. Scholars suggest these teraphim represented a common ancestor, possibly Terah. Rachel may not have seen them as idols but as family heirlooms or an inheritance.
Nugget #3
Technically, no one was called a “Jew” before the exile. They were a distinct clan by the time of Jacob and his sons. Abraham was a Gentile, a Chaldean. It can be said that the Jews came from Abraham because he was chosen by God to be the origin of a new nation. The Jews of Jesus’ day looked to Abraham (not Jacob/Israel) as the head of their race (see Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8; John 8:39; Acts 13:26; Galatians 3:7). If one is thinking in these terms, it would not be wrong to think of Abraham as “the first Jew,” although that’s not technically correct. (https://www.gotquestions.org/Abraham-Jew-Gentile.html)
When did Abram get the call from God to leave his homeland and go to the promised land?
“Brothers and fathers,” he replied, “listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, and said to him: Leave your country and relatives, and come to the land that I will show you.” (Acts 7:2-3, CSB)
What was the cost to Abram and his family? (Luke 14:28-33)
When God called Abram in Genesis 12:1, He told Abraham to leave his country, his people, and his father’s house. Everything familiar was to be left behind, and that included his religion:
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. (Hebrew 11:8-9, CSB)
God made a covenant, which means an solemn agreement or promise, with Abram:
“I [YHWH, Jehovah] will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Gen 12:2, CSB)
Verse 2 says “you will be a blessing” but literally it should read “be a blessing.” Abram’s obedience was a demonstration of love for mankind. His act of selflessness allowed God to bless others.
What are the 3 parts of the Covenant God made with Abram?
Make you a great nation
Great name
Channel of blessing to others
The blessing is not just a personal promise but extends to those who align themselves with God's chosen people. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of blessings for those who support His followers .
“The one who welcomes you welcomes me [Jesus], and the one who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42, CSB)
To bless or curse Abram, was to bless or curse Abram’s God.
It also adds that all families will be blessed. The greatest fulfillment of this is through Jesus Christ who became the means of blessing to the world.
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16, CSB)
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. (Romans 9:4, CSB)
In verse 4 Lot leaves Haran:
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. (Genesis 12:4, CSB)
Continues with our next blog dropping next Sunday, “Abraham: Little Nuggets, 4-8,” or see below once published.
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