I have not yet read the entire Bible but I do know the Torah sections by heart. Every time I read/hear them I think of something new. Over the years I have come up with a few theories regarding Abraham and want to share them with you all to hear what you think.
For starters, it is clear that the pre-Israelite territories were wicked even before the time of Moses. For example, when God says "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" in Genesis 15:16, it prints a picture that these were already a wicked people. That brings me to my first theory: God did not promise Abraham his ancestors would inherit the land just as a way of rewarding him for being righteous, but because the territories the Hebrews would later inherit were inhabited by people who needed to be wiped out and God wanted the most righteous person's descendants to be the ones to replace them.
My next theory is about the birth of Isaac. Remember, Sarah was barren until after God opened the wombs of Abimelech's people. Is it possible that Sarah was made fertile with them and God helped them all, her included, conceive at once? The next thing that happens in Genesis is the birth of Isaac.
My next theory comes when God tests Abraham and tells him to sacrifice Isaac. Is it possible Abraham knew God would stop him at the last moment (remember when God told Abraham His covenant is with Isaac when Sarah had him throw Hagar out)?
For starters, it is clear that the pre-Israelite territories were wicked even before the time of Moses. For example, when God says "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" in Genesis 15:16, it prints a picture that these were already a wicked people. That brings me to my first theory: God did not promise Abraham his ancestors would inherit the land just as a way of rewarding him for being righteous, but because the territories the Hebrews would later inherit were inhabited by people who needed to be wiped out and God wanted the most righteous person's descendants to be the ones to replace them.
My next theory is about the birth of Isaac. Remember, Sarah was barren until after God opened the wombs of Abimelech's people. Is it possible that Sarah was made fertile with them and God helped them all, her included, conceive at once? The next thing that happens in Genesis is the birth of Isaac.
My next theory comes when God tests Abraham and tells him to sacrifice Isaac. Is it possible Abraham knew God would stop him at the last moment (remember when God told Abraham His covenant is with Isaac when Sarah had him throw Hagar out)?