Abram's Journey

In our last History lesson, we covered what happened after the Flood, Noah's descendants, and the Tower of Babel. In this lesson (which took 2 weeks) we learned about the ancient city of Ur and why Abram was called out of that city. Readings:
  • Genesis 11:26-17 (Abram)
  • Adam to Messiah: The Calling Of Abram, Abram enters Caanan
  • The Victor Journey Through the Bible: "Abraham's Journey" (18-19)
  • The Holman Bible Atlas: "The World of the Patriarchs" "Abraham in Caanan" (41-48)
  • Who's Who in the Bible: Abraham
  • Adam and His Kin: Chapter 19 "Abram"
  • Genesis: Finding Our Roots: "The Book of Terah"
  • The Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History: Discussion questions Lesson 9
Links:
  • Sheepfold Gleanings: Lech Lecha (Lech Lecha means "Get Out" as Abraham was told to get out of his country) I highly recommend this study!
  • Waters in the Wilderness: Lech Lecha (for older children) (Another great study with discussion questions)
  • Torah Explorers: Lekh L'kha (Genesis 12-17) (for younger children)

Audio:

  • True Tales: "Discovery of Troy" (12:32), "Discovery of Ur" (4:21), "The Rosetta Stone" (10:03)
  • What in the World: "Historical Chronology" (8:27), "Problems with the Chronology" (12:20)
Highlights: After Noah, the Scriptures follow his son Shem. After Shem, ten generations pass before Abram is born. Through Abram/Abraham we see Yhvh bring a family out of the Nations and redeem a people for Himself. Abram (whose name was changed to Abraham) lived in the ancient city of Ur. Abraham is not only in the Bible, he is in recorded history - he lived in a real place during a real time in history. In our discovery of the civilization of Ur, we learn that Ur was a religious center devoted to the moon god. Yhvh intended to bless Abraham with His promised seed, so it is clear that He called Abram out of this land of confusion and rebellion for His purpose. Abram obeyed Yhvh’s Word and walked by faith.
“Now faith is the substance (physical) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:1, 8)
Highlights: (from Torah Explorers)
  • 12:1 Elohim Calls Abraham to Leave Ur and Come to Canaan
  • 12:10 Abraham and Sarah Seek Famine Relief in Egypt
  • 13:1 The Return to Canaan and Abraham and Lot Part Company
  • 13:14 Yhvh Promises Abraham Land and Descendents
  • 14:1 The War of the Eastern Kings
  • 14:8 Sodom Is Defeated and Lot Is Taken Captive
  • 14:13 Abraham Rescues Lot, Refuses Honors and Pays Homage to Melchizedek
  • 15:1 Elohim Reassures Abraham and Promises Him a Son
  • 15:9 The Abrahamic Covenant Is Made
  • 15:13 Prophecy of the Egyptian Exile and Redemption
  • 15:17 Ratification of the Abrahamic Covenant
  • 16:1 Hagar and Ishmael
  • 17:1 Yhvh Renews the Covenant With Abraham and Gives Abraham and Sarah New Names
  • 17:9 Circumcision: the Sign of the Covenant
  • 17:15 Yhvh Promises a Son to Sarah
Stick Figuring with Grapevine's Old Testament Overview

Mapping Abram's Journey

Malachi (who is 4) diligently worked to copy the Euphrates River onto his map, all by himself! I prompted him to outline the river in blue.

Daily Life Lessons and Activities: From Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide Living in Tents ~ Nomadic Life Abraham traveled with his family and lived in tents wherever they went. People who live in tents are called nomads. They carried their tents and all their belongings with them and traveled from place to place looking for water and food to feed their family, flocks and servants. They slept on sleeping mats that they made with wool from their sheep. The mats could be rolled up and carried with them easily. A Picnic Style Meal They ate picnic style everyday as their table had to be carried with them, too. Their "table" was a large piece of leather spread out on the ground.

For all practical purposes, we used a picnic table cloth for this project so that we can use it while camping. I folded and sewed the edges for strength, We then added grommets along the edge to string the rope.

Around the edges were loops of leather so that they could thread a rope through the loops to form a bag to carry their belongings in.

Abraham and his family ate food from the animals they raised and plants that grew in the area. A typical meal might have included a stew made from lentils, cheese made from goat's milk, and dried figs. Lentil Stew and Whole Wheat Tortillas

People who lived in the desert used bread to scoop up stew.

Their bread was round and flat but more crispy than a tortilla.

Abraham and his family also ate locusts! {Fake} Locust Biscuits

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp each of salt, baking soda
  • 3/4 c. buttermilk
  • 1/4 c. sliced locusts {or almonds!}
  • grated cheddar cheese (optional)
Cut butter into flour until it is crumbly. Add baking powder, salt, baking soda and almonds.(Add cheese if desired) Stir in buttermilk just until dry ingredients are moistened (don't over mix for fluffy biscuits). Spoon onto baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Served with homemade whipped honey butter (unless you add the cheese and garlic!). What's Next? We are studying History chronologically through the Bible in this series. We will have to break from our regular Bible readings to study the ancient civilizations that are being built during Bible times. Since Abraham traveled to the city of Egypt, we began our study on Ancient Egypt. We also brought out the Adam's Chart of History to see what other civilizations were beginning during this time and made a plan for how we will proceed with our studies:
  • The Book of Job
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Israel {this is where we will pick back up with Abraham}
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • The Messiah
Disclosure: During our study of History, you will not see the typical activities that others do for these lessons. For example, in our study of the Tower of Babel, we did NOT build a ziggurat. In our study of Ancient Egypt, we will NOT study Egyptian gods. The Bible tells us to not even have the name of false gods on our lips, let alone devote study to the them. We will be exposed to some of them in our studies, but we will not make a big deal about them. Likewise, when we get to Ancient Greece, we will NOT study Greek mythological gods. And we will NOT do some of the hand on activities that go along with those cultures, UNLESS they are Biblical. For example, Paul was a Roman, dressed like a Roman, and I do NOT think that making ancient Roman tunics for an activity is glorifying pagan Roman ways.

2 comments

  1. Hi Michelle,
    I'm just spending a little time going through your Biblical History posts...so fun! Glad to see that I'm not the only one that follows the Scriptures and does NOT study false gods and mythology. You are doubly blessed with creativity and sure can pack a lot of good stuff in...you are such an inspiration to me. Have a blessed week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much, Jane! I appreciate your kind words and I am blessed to know that I am not the only one. ;-) I hope your school year is off to a great start!

    ReplyDelete