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Human Nature In The Old Testament

Decent Essays

The Old Testament writers referenced an assortment of ancient peoples to illustrate the common aspects of human nature: · THE AMONITES, MOABITES, AND MEUNITES are Lots' descendants. They hesitate and look back. As children of an incestuous relationship, they safeguard their genealogy at all costs. They habitually derive tradition, identity, and unity from a historical perspective. · THE EDOMITES - Esau is Edom. Similar to Esau, Edomites give up something wonderful and sacred for something temporal (a bowl of soup) and then complain about being cheated. Edomites typically state, "We've been here the longest. This is our birthright. How can you take this away from us". Imitating Esau, they trade away apostolic …show more content…

They idolize prayer books, hymnbooks, furniture, architecture, stain-glass windows, pipe organs, classical music, canon law, etc. · THE GIBEONITES are deceivers, pretenders, and quasi-reformers who seek the favor of the people of Israel. They want to be part of the in-crowd. In worship reform's early stages, they agree "in principle", but then run away frightened at the first sign of trouble. · THE AMELIKITES are the great grand-children of Esau and Ishmael. They are a nomadic Arabic tribe living in the desert south of Judah. They perpetually opposed the Israelites in the desert. Preying upon stragglers and weaker members of the community who can’t keep up, Amelikites victimize children, the infirm, and those who are slow to understand. · THE SYRIANS are an advanced civilization with wonderful resources. They represent people who worship the fine arts and higher culture. Syrians are elitists who say, “God deserves only the best." In reality, they are selfish people who want specific brands of music, poetry, painting, sculpture, and architecture, which they consider as having intrinsic value, for themselves. Syrians find it difficult to condescend to the

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