About Abraham and moon worshipping...

The Bible tells us that God did not pick Abraham because he came from such a godly family and because he himself had so much faith. He came from a family of idol worshippers, and he appears to have been slow to fully believe the promises the Lord had made.

In Joshua 24:2, God says: “Long ago, your forefathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the river and worshiped other gods.” (Joshua 24:2)

Scholars say that most probably Terah’s idolatry was in the form of moon worship. The city of Ur, where Terah lived was associated with moon worship and the names of two of Terah’s children, Sarai and Milcah, may be related to the names of the moon god’s wife.

God called Abram out of the idolatrous culture of Ur, but Abram brought the culture with him in the form of his idol-worshipping father. The Lord had told Abram to “leave.” The word “leave” in this case means literally “leave by yourself,” “disassociate yourself.” God had told him to depart for Canaan alone -- but he did not separate himself from the larger family group. And he didn't go all that far, at least at first. When Abram and his family got to Haran, they settled there, (Genesis 11:31) rather than continuing on to the Promised Land as the Lord had commanded.

God has to come back to him in Haran and remind him: “The Lord had said to Abram: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT: When discussing the Bible with both Christians and non-Christians, why should we be willing to point out the flaws of the "heroes" of the Bible? Why should we be quick to point out our personal flaws, even serious ones, to both Christians and non-Christians?