descendants, even though most of the 70 nations listed in Genesis 10 are apparently unaffected. But in the subsequent books there is very little sign of blessing to the nations. Egypt, which had benefited so much from Joseph’s rule, suffers the plagues, and the peoples who oppose Israel on their journey to Canaan are defeated. Why should this be? In the first formulation of the promises blessing is promised to those who bless Abraham and a curse is pronounced on him who dishonours him. When the Pharaoh