Genesis--Why were certain things permitted

[MeCajunboy]

I am wondering why there are so many things that would be called sin today, so prevalent and accepted in the Biblical days.

For instance, Abimilech's two daughters had sex with him after they got him drunk, so they carry on their heritage. I think they had to run away to a cave or something of that nature. And no one was there but the three of them.

What about servants that Abraham have? And others... Were they slaves who had no choice but to be a slave, or were there servants who made this their source of income? And if they had no choice, why was this allowed? Why would Abraham, God's favored one, allow himself to have servants/slaves?

It seems that if any of these things happened today, they would clearly be called sin. Was it called sin back in their time?

Dear Rachel, NOTE: God never did say that this was acceptable! HE only used the scenario to express a particular and more important issue/point

[givennewname]

God uses us all in spite of our shortcomings. Those men and women whose lives we are told about were just sinners like us. When Abraham was called he and his family did not know the God who called him. God called him and established the covenant with him. It wasn't until many generations later when Moses received the Law from God. In that Law God set down the rules for who could marry whom and as for slavery, the laws governing the treatment of a slave were set out, too. Slavery was not like what we think of as slavery. Slaves were not to be mistreated and in many cases it was a way of paying debt. You can read in Exodus and in Deuteronomy about the rules governing slavery.

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Nathele

Thank you, Nathele. So they were not enslaved for their heritage? The servants seemed to have been treated well. I am only in Genesis 23.

Someone commented on the Moabites and Ammonites. In your reply, sounds like something not good. Can you explain?

Thank you all who answered my questions with great thought. Much appreciated.

Hi Rachel

I think in the earlier part of human history, the mosaic law was not yet given as Moses was not come on the scene. The human genes were new & pristine and still not subjected to many genetic disorders that we see today, speaking form a medical point of view as I am a medical doctor. So Adam's children theoretically interbred amongst brothers and sisters. Abraham for instance married his half sister Sarai. He was telling a half truth when he told Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister.

Later when the human genome has collected more aberrations, Sleeping with sibling or even close relatives were prohibited by the Mosaic law!

Slaves are bonded labour, they are to be released every Jubilee year( 7th. year). they are not slaves for life like the Muslim who enslave Christians in Sudan and mistreatment that are proscribed by the quran are prohibited my Mosaic law!

New creature

[Celtic Warrior]

God uses us all in spite of our shortcomings. Those men and women whose lives we are told about were just sinners like us. When Abraham was called he and his family did not know the God who called him. God called him and established the covenant with him. It wasn't until many generations later when Moses received the Law from God. In that Law God set down the rules for who could marry whom and as for slavery, the laws governing the treatment of a slave were set out, too. Slavery was not like what we think of as slavery. Slaves were not to be mistreated and in many cases it was a way of paying debt. You can read in Exodus and in Deuteronomy about the rules governing slavery.

<>< ><>

Nathele

Thank you, Nathele. So they were not enslaved for their heritage? The servants seemed to have been treated well. I am only in Genesis 23.

Someone commented on the Moabites and Ammonites. In your reply, sounds like something not good. Can you explain?

Thank you all who answered my questions with great thought. Much appreciated.

Hi Rachel

I think in the earlier part of human history, the mosaic law was not yet given as Moses was not come on the scene. The human genes were new & pristine and still not subjected to many genetic disorders that we see today, speaking form a medical point of view as I am a medical doctor. So Adam's children theoretically interbred amongst brothers and sisters. Abraham for instance married his half sister Sarai. He was telling a half truth when he told Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister.

Later when the human genome has collected more aberrations, Sleeping with sibling or even close relatives were prohibited by the Mosaic law!

Slaves are bonded labour, they are to be released every Jubilee year( 7th. year). they are not slaves for life like the Muslim who enslave Christians in Sudan and mistreatment that are proscribed by the quran are prohibited my Mosaic law!

New creature

Actually the year of Jubilee is every 50th year, not 7th

Leviticus 25:8 - 17 (ESV) 8

[givennewname]

God uses us all in spite of our shortcomings. Those men and women whose lives we are told about were just sinners like us. When Abraham was called he and his family did not know the God who called him. God called him and established the covenant with him. It wasn't until many generations later when Moses received the Law from God. In that Law God set down the rules for who could marry whom and as for slavery, the laws governing the treatment of a slave were set out, too. Slavery was not like what we think of as slavery. Slaves were not to be mistreated and in many cases it was a way of paying debt. You can read in Exodus and in Deuteronomy about the rules governing slavery.

<>< ><>

Nathele

Thank you, Nathele. So they were not enslaved for their heritage? The servants seemed to have been treated well. I am only in Genesis 23.

Someone commented on the Moabites and Ammonites. In your reply, sounds like something not good. Can you explain?

Thank you all who answered my questions with great thought. Much appreciated.

Hi Rachel

I think in the earlier part of human history, the mosaic law was not yet given as Moses was not come on the scene. The human genes were new & pristine and still not subjected to many genetic disorders that we see today, speaking form a medical point of view as I am a medical doctor. So Adam's children theoretically interbred amongst brothers and sisters. Abraham for instance married his half sister Sarai. He was telling a half truth when he told Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister.

Later when the human genome has collected more aberrations, Sleeping with sibling or even close relatives were prohibited by the Mosaic law!

Slaves are bonded labour, they are to be released every Jubilee year( 7th. year). they are not slaves for life like the Muslim who enslave Christians in Sudan and mistreatment that are proscribed by the quran are prohibited my Mosaic law!

New creature

Actually the year of Jubilee is every 50th year, not 7th

Leviticus 25:8 - 17 (ESV) 8