Genesis 17: The Cult Leader

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

GENESIS 17

The Cult Leader

I’ve been reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

We've known already that Abram's a powerful warlord; in an earlier chapter he had sent out 319 men to rescue Lot. And at various times we've been told he's exceedingly wealthy. His household, his estate, his community is quite large.

After he came back from Egypt, Abram "preached in the name of the LORD."

And now he has all the males in his community  undergo a procedure of genital mutilation.

Why?

Because Abram says the LORD said so.

This sounds like a cult, and Abram's the cult leader.

Even the name change to Abraham, and his wife's name change from Sarai to Sarah, sounds cultish. A brief lookup indicates the name "Abram" means "exalted father" whereas Abraham means "father of a multitude." Sarai means "princess" but Sarah means "mother of nations."

Either the men underwent circumcision because they believed in Abraham or because they felt they had no choice in the matter.

Just like members of a cult when they’re asked to do something drastic.

There might have been a good reason to circumcise. Maybe it was good for health and hygiene in a world where, presumably, men weren't taking daily showers. Maybe this sign of "cleanliness" was what was to set Abraham and his righteous crew "apart" from their neighbors.

Maybe circumcision was an inspired idea.

But it still seems like Abraham is a cult leader.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)