Themes in Genesis: Values

Values in the time of Genesis were much different than ours.

1. The most important goals were for survival:
a. Fruit of the belly - having lots of children - Tamar even goes so far as to pose as a prostitute to get a child. And she was considered righteous in what she did.
b. Fruit of the ground - having lots of crops
2. The second most important goal was that of getting attention, that is, rising to the top.  Here are some examples:
a.  People fought for God's attention and blessings - Cain killed his brother because he got more attention from God, Jacob wrestled with an angel for it
b.  People wanted dad's attention and blessing - 10 of Joseph's brothers sought to kill Joseph because he got most of dad's attention, and Jacob stole his dad's blessing
c.  Wives wanted their husband's attention, competing and fighting for it.
These themes are seen over and over and over in Genesis.  All other values and morals were secondary to the needs of survival and getting attention.
3.  Another important value in Genesis is the need to stay in the family.  Because Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were nomads, they prefered to stay within the family for marriages and close relationships.  They wandered from place to place, so outsiders were not trusted.