In the 1950s, the story of Abraham was taught in Grammar School. Excuse me… Elementary School. I suppose this may have been a turning point for the U.S. Public School System, changing priorities from the Three R’s: reading, ‘riting’ and ‘rithmetic to the Three S’s: sex- ed, sexual revolution, socialism.
Abraham lived in the city of Ur in the land of the Chaldees, 4,000 years ago, not far from the biblical location of the Garden of Eden. He is considered the father of the Hebrew people. If anyone ever asks where the Jewish folk came from, that’s it. Abraham and Sarah.
It is not easy to be one of the Chosen. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have endured much suffering during their 4,000-year history. Against the ancient Arabs in what became the Promised Land, the nomadic Children of Israel achieved many victories against all odds. God is great at manipulating the odds; and the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s illegitimate son from a servant slave, never really had a chance. Israel was ordained to be, and it was. And is today. Against all odds.
Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel), suffered as a result of severe sibling rivalry, was almost killed and then sold into slavery. Taken to Egypt, he was imprisoned; and his destiny seemed dim. Next thing you know, Joseph is Pharaoh’s rig ...
