In the Beginning: The Bible Stories

The Tower of Babel

25 min

Humans begin to build a tower, hoping to reach God. At that time, humans were conceited enough to think that they could accomplish such a feat. So God, as punishment, collapses the Tower of Babel and makes the humans speak different languages in the different districts. They thus become unable to communicate each other.

Abraham, The Forefather

25 min

Sarah, who has not had a chance to bear a child, is getting on in her years, but keeps praying to God to let her have a child. Her husband Abraham laughs at her, saying "Even God cannot make you bear a child." Then God tells Abraham, "God is almighty. Sarah will have a baby boy in a year."

Sodom and Gomorrah

25 min

As vice spread over the two cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, people are corrupted. God's anger gradually leads to the destruction of these cities, which are full of decadence and blasphemy against God. Because Lot, his wife, and their two daughters are pious, they hear God's voice saying "Run away to the mountains, but never look back at the city." Lot's wife, however, turns around as pandemonium breaks out in the ruined city. Then she turns into a pillar of salt as punishment for breaking a promise to God.

Isaac and Ishmael

25 min

God tells Abraham "Sarah's son Isaac will carry on your family line." God also says that Ishmael, who was born between Abraham and another woman, Hagar, would be the father of a nation because he is also Abraham's son. This myth became a strong motivation behind the building of Israel, the Jewish homeland.

Isaac's Destiny

25 min

God orders Abraham to sacrifice his son to God. Abraham is terrified to do such thing, but he cannot disobey the God. He decides to be faithful to God even if he has to sacrifice his son's life. When he is just about to swing his sword down on Isaac's chest, God's messenger says, "Don't kill him. You have proven your awe to God." God praises Abraham as the father of all humans for his willingness to offer his son.

Jacob's Children

25 min

Joseph has dreams about God. His brothers become jealous of him because God seems to love Joseph most. So they plan to kill Joseph...

Joseph's Triumph

25 min

Joseph reconciles with his brothers because they realize that jealousy is useless. His brothers begin to listen attentively to Jacob's dialogue with God. The ties between the brothers become firm, and Jacob eventually becomes the leader of Egypt.

Moses, The Egyptian

25 min

Pharaoh is terrified to hear that a new king has been born to kill him and rule the world. So he orders his people to "kill all newborn baby boys." One boy, however, escapes the guards and survives. It is the boy Moses.

The Fire in the Desert

25 min

Moses grows up and becomes a pious man who looks to God in awe. When he goes deep into the wild land with a flock of sheep, he hears the voice of an angel, God's messenger, coming from a strange flame on the desert. It incites him, "Moses, take off your shoes. This is a sacred land."