"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Abraham, Sarah, Canaanites & Ancient Egypt

So I mentioned this book I found at the library recently. It's by an author I don't know (Charlotte Gordon) and the title is puzzling (The Woman Who Named God), but I saw it was about Abraham and the "birth of three faiths" so I thought it might be of interest. And it is! I've only read the first 62 pages out of more than 300 (OK, I lied...I have also read the end notes pertaining to the chapters I've read), but already I am enjoying it a lot!

The author gives background information on Ur, Mesopotamia and the gods worshiped in these ancient cultures. She told of the Canaanites and how, in reality, they were much more advanced than Abram and Sarai and the gang who came along with them as they went to the country where God lead them.

For instance the Canaanites "had advanced beyond the clumsy system of writing known as cuneiform, where each syllable was denoted by a different symbol, and had invented an alphabet of consonants that the Phoenicians would later modify and pass on to modernity. The Greek, Latin, Cyrillic, Coptic and Brahmic family of scripts in India and Southeast Asia all trace their origins back to the Canaanites' innovation." (pg. 37) Interesting stuff, huh?

She also describes how their cities were well-build and fortified. I guess I just never really thought of it before though I should have since even the Israelites balked at the notion of going in and taking the land flowing with milk and honey. Remember that story and how they ended up wandering in the desert for forty years because of their lack of faith in God's promise?

So why do I have a picture of Ancient Egypt here? The chapter I recently finished dealt with Abram and Sarai's traveling there. I was going to tell about it now, but this post is long enough. So I will wait. But you'll want to stay tuned. It's title is "Rape In The Palace." Provocative, eh?

By the way, how cool is it to think that by the time Abraham and Sarah went to Egypt the pyramids were already ancient relics?

7 comments:

Suroor said...

Very interesting. I love reading about ancient history, particularly religious history.

Thanks for this post.

Susanne said...

Hmmm, do I know you, Suroor the commenter? :-) I think I know a Suroor in the blogosphere, but maybe you are a different one. Anyway, thanks for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this post. You might find this book interesting as well. :)

Carmen S. said...

Really? The pyramids were ancient with Abraham and Sarah got there. CRAZY! I did not know that.

Susanne said...

Carmen, yeah, I never realized that either. I don't know why I mistakingly think the Bible stories pre-date all this other stuff happening in history. Duh!

The author says the Pyramids were built about 1000 years before Abram and Sarai went to Egypt. Amazing that they have been around that long, huh?

Amber said...

*eyes Susanne* You've been to Syria, but you didn't realize the pyramids were almost 5,000 years old?

I reiterate, you live a strange life. :)

Susanne said...

Wait! What??? You mean the Earth is as least 5,000 years old?! *gasp* Surely you jest.

Ahahahahahahahahahaha!


:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Well, I just sometimes forget about history outside of the Bible. Like I think Abraham & Co. were some of the first people or something so things such as the Pyramids have come since his arrival. *blush*

Just forgot how old the Pyramids were or how long ago Abraham lived. Honestly, I need a timeline or a memory aid. Ah, you may be in luck re: the fox and little prince story, Amber. It seems my memory is not that great. I know you are heartbroken for me.

:-)


Strange, I am. True enough. :) Really, going to Syria ...any old fool can do that. I'm living proof.

Anonymous said...

Good post and Smart Blog
Thanks for your good information and i hope to subscribe and visit my blog Ancient Greece and more Blank Maps of Ancient Greece thanks again admin