The ancient Mediterranean world, as well as some modern primitive societies, maintained a strong belief in the reality of a spirit world which continually interacted with the human world (Pilch, 20). They populated their surroundings with gods and goddesses of various natures in order to come to terms and gain some control over their environment and circumstances. Note that these gods/goddesses represented (were) powers of nature. In addition, Abraham came from a nomadic culture, in such cultures where central government is weak and/or ineffective the people have to look after themselves. When social equals are unable to help them, they seek someone with greater means who they expect to play the role of patron (Pilch, 79). A patron could be a neighboring king, vassal or other person of power (by means or wealth) who was willing to take the seeker in as part of his extended family, offering his help and protection.
             Abraham must have been delighted to discover a patron, God, who was seeking him. Given his cultural background, he may have initially accepted God based on his own primitive society's belief in divine communication. Through God's revelations, however, he came to understand and affirm that God was not as a natural power, but rather that God used the powers of nature to achieve a historical purpose: to challenge Pharaoh, liberate a people from the bondage of slavery, and to open a path into the future (Anderson, 97).
             God's revelations through his words and works educated, trained, and hardened his chosen people to accomplish his plan for the redemption of mankind. During this process Israel witnessed how God used things of the world, his creation, to provide for them. God educated them through exposure to things they had not experienced, such as the miracles of manna and quail (Anderson, 78) (also see Deuteronomy 8:2-3). For the first time, the cultures surrounding the Hebrews witnessed the God of history who ...