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Book Title : Old Testament In Its Cultural, Historical and Religious Context Author: Dane R. Gordon Many people who study this book or any other books related to Old Testament documents would be astonished to discover the simple truth, that there are both religious and historical development throughout the Old Testament. And they are not merely a collection of religious fragments. They are collections of irrefutable data that ancient Israel actually existed in a historical and cultural context, that is, it was not just an isolated phenomenon in a mythical past. Though not all the Old Testament is discussed here, author’s attempt to trace the historical development of Israel by reflecting both historical context and personalities has well gained my attention. Now, it is my attempt to analyze and put forth opinion and thoughts, though I would not cover all of the historical elements myself, I believe this report will benefit me, solidify my faith in the Bible and promise of God. To begin, Abram was a man of faith, to whom God delivered His great blessings that carry on into the Old and New Testaments. But the author begins with this question about Abraham, “What did Abraham believe before he was called by God??(1) It is known that Abraham’s homeland was in Mesopotamia, where they worshipped the gods of their homeland. The reference to the gods of Mesopotamia reminds us of the origins of the people in Egypt, which took place in later days. They worshipped the gods of their homeland and it is possible that among those who worshipped these gods was Abraham. There is a great deal of evidence of this Mesopotamian religion: the excavated remains of ancient cities, large collections of clay tablets inscribed with prayers, incantations, and the details of temple business. These appear to be religious sagas comparable to those in our own Bible, reflections upon the nature of life, accounts of dreams, the names of gods and goddesses. Yet, according to the scriptural record, Abraham was an old man when he received his call from God, who is claimed to be God above all gods. According to the reference in Genesis 12:1-3, his first encounter with God was what changed Abraham’s course of life. Calling from God in his old age must have been different from the old religious beliefs, which he remembered. He was told to leave his homeland and travel in unknown places. His prompt response to God’s call and faith in God’s promise became an example of how one should trust God. To have faith like Abraham was to have great faith. The story of Israel seems to look like series of large-scale movements. It begins with Abraham’s call and his journey south to Canaan. The next movement is Joseph’s involuntary journey to Egypt, where he is sold or captured and becomes a slave. Eventually Joseph’s father and brothers follow him, and the Israelites settle in Egypt where once again different gods are worshipped. The next movement begins with Moses, the Exodus that concludes with the Israelites under Solomon in possession of the land, which had been promised to them through Abraham. Moses, like Abraham lived under different religious traditions, which in this case is Egypt; but we see that God calls him out into the desert for forty years. Moses then encounters God for the first time in the burning bush with these words, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?(Exodus 3:6). Moses’experience after that must have been very similar to Abraham’s since they both grew up with religious traditions that believe in many gods. Egyptians religion, like Mesopotamian, was polytheistic. “In a picture of Egyptian cosmology in the Book of the Dead Nut, the sky godess, is shown supported by Shu, the air god, who stands on Geb, the earth god.?(2) Many gods were represented as animals and often as composite creatures, partly human and partly animal. It’s still a puzzle to me that God would present himself through a burning bush, but we see that it drew Moses?attention that led him to ask for God’s name. God’s reply was, “I AM WHO I AM.?And said, “Say this to the people in Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14). God differed himself from other gods that men created.
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