Genesis, Chapters 12-28

On pg 12 "the souls they had gotten in Haran" can be a euphemism for slaves. Abram is rewarded for spreading the word of god, which makes me wonder is this passage was used to motivate holy men to journey to the americas to convert the "pagans". Egypt's plague subtlely reinforces the point that God is good only to his chosen people and will greatly punish those not counted among his. Abram and Lot solving their quarrel may be a way to say "Let us not fight among ourselves, because we our holy. Those who are not are our enemies. We have enough enemies to not fight amongst ourselves". The fights between the kings in chapter 14 reinforces the point that those in the congregation not fight amongst themselves but against a common enemy.

God also made his people bare trials, such as slavery (th prophecy on page 15) and conquering other tribes (page 16), but to make them better and worthy. this could've been used to justify the hardships of the lower classes, and its power is illustrated in The Pearl by John Steinbeck, when Quino and his brother speak of the sermon that encourage them to keep their place in society as hard as it is. The idea of "staying in one's place" is shown in full with the story of Sarai and Hagar, as Hagar steps over her bounds by despising her mistress, even though she is but a handmaiden.

The circumsition can be seen as a sacrifice of honor and a way to gain status, like wearing a patch that declares rank, but with more honor, as the sacrifice is of one's own flesh.

Sarah and Abraham having a child at such old age can mean that it is never to late to change and repent and become part of God's kingdom.

The fate of Lot's wife can be taken to mean that those who abandon evil and don't look back are welcomed among God, but if they do look back they are condemned in equal measure as the evil.