Page 32 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

The story is perplexing until you better understand the purpose for household gods. Understanding
these puzzles is helped by evidence that household gods served a purpose in addition to that of worship.
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Information gathered from on ancient tablet found at the 2 millennium B.C. city of Nuzi suggests that,
at times, household gods were used as evidence of family leadership.

The claim to leadership in a family enlightens some aspects of this story. It explains why Rachel stole the
gods: to give her husband the position of tribal leadership rather than Laban. It explains why Laban was
so insistent in getting his gods back: to make sure one of his own sons would become the family head
rather than Jacob. It explains why Laban wanted to erect a boundary between them: to make sure that
Jacob never returned with the household gods to claim the first rights to the family holdings.

Bible History – Joseph Master of Dreams

3.4 Let’s Practice…

1. What are the two other terms you can use in place of Pentateuch?

2. Give six reasons why the Pentateuch is critically important?

3. Explain in your own words why the book of Genesis is a foundational book? Include
examples.

4. Explain what the laws of nature are and when they were enacted.

5. What happened immediately when sin entered the world?

6. How did sin affect the creation?

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