The Rebel

Price 15.26 USD

EAN/UPC/ISBN Code 9781589300996


Can one get sweet peaches from a crab apple tree? Can one expect a mature person, raised in a strict environment of superstitious nature-worship to consider an unseen force as something to be reckoned with? Taken at face value, the biblical story Abraham begs for something more. However, the bits and pieces of other Scriptural references to this man and what he faced do add some understanding. By combining these with some archaeological findings and other ancient documents, sufficient pieces of the puzzle come together to allow the development of a reasonable scenario. About 2000 B.C. the City of Ur was a leader in its time and place, a port city of about 200,000 people where the Euphrates River entered the Persian Gulf. As a major trading center, it was also a supplier of a variety of its own products, as well as a crossroads for idea exchange. Its own religious beliefs and practices, based upon the forces of nature, focused upon the moon god Nannu Sin. Its cultural and technological development made it a major influence in its day. That culture was based upon a fixed, stratification of its people. This was the environment Abram grew up in. Although there is no evidence that Abram had any knowledge of, or a link with his ancestors, such was possible. All things taken together, it is not difficult to see how the sensitivities of a sixteen year old descendant of Noah would cause him to struggle with life as he sees it in his home city, Ur. The worship practices of the pagan gods, as well as the social stratification trouble his developing mind. Verbal challenges in private with two friendly classmates at the academy brand him as a rebel, although all three will become influential leaders because of their own individuality. Abram was given a year off from studies, to enable him to visit other cultures so he could better appreciation of his own. This brings the rebel under the influence of his ancestors. One of his grandfathers becomes his mentor.