Genesis 12

God tells Abram to leave his country and his father's house and he will make him a great nation and bless him.  Abram takes Sarai and Lot and all his possessions and moves the Canaan, which the Lord says he will give to Abram's descendants.  God also promises to curse those that curse Abram.  So he has that going for him.

Unfortunately, there is a famine in this promised land, so Abram goes to Egypt.  Because of Sarai's beauty, Abram is afraid he will not be able to protect her himself as his husband, so he tells Sarai to say to others she is Abram's sister.  A seemingly small lie, except, spoiler alert, it'll later be revealed Sarai is his half-sister.  And they say Game of Thrones is twisted.  So, is it really a lie?

Pharaoh sees Sarai's beauty and takes her into his harem and deals well with Abram.  So basically Abram is pimping out Sarai in exchange for not just subsistence food, but for luxuries.  Cool cat.  God also doesn't approve, but instead of taking it out on Abram, afflicts Pharaoh's house with plagues.  So the precedent has been set of messing with Hebrews yields plagues for Pharaoh, no excuse for the guy in the Moses story.  He had to see it coming. 

Pharaoh upbraids Abram for lying about being Sarai's husband and letting him take her into his harem.  He gives Sarai back to Abram and orders him to go.

Asimov discusses how Japeth seems to be the father of the Greeks.  I didn't find it interesting, so if it interests you, pick up his book.

GOD'S COMMANDMENT(S):

Genesis 12:5 - Don't curse Abram.  If you do, God will curse you.

Genesis 12:17 - Don't believe Abram when he tells you his wife is his sister.  Because if you take Abram's "sister" into your harem innocently, God punishes you with plagues.  Because that makes sense somehow.

DIFFICULTY OF FOLLOWING COMMANDMENT(S):

I don't know Abram and don't believe I've ever cursed anyone, so think that one's pretty easy to comply with.

Believing a lie to stock my harem with a beautiful woman?  Can't say I've ever come across that problem.  Reason one would be the "not having a harem" thing.  I'm feeling good about the ease of complying with these laws.

GOD'S DEATH TOLL THIS CHAPTER:

GOD'S RUNNING DEATH TOLL: