OVERVIEW
Abraham is one of the Bible’s most important figures. In the Bible, Abraham is referred to as the “friend of God” (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). Though Abraham was childless, God promised him, “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). This seeming contradiction provided great tests of faith, promise, and fulfillment for Abraham and his wife, Sarai. In Abraham’s life, God revealed his plan of choosing and making covenants with his people. Abraham trusted God and is now known as the father of God’s own people.
Abraham’s name was originally Abram, meaning “[the] father is exalted.” His parents were part of a moon cult in the city of Ur, and Abraham’s old name probably referred to the moon god or another pagan god. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5) to indicate a clear-cut separation from Abram’s pagan roots. Abram’s new name meant “father of a multitude” and was a statement of God’s promise to Abraham that he would have many descendants. This name change was also a significant test of his faith in God. Abraham was 99 years old at the time, and his childless wife was 90 years old (11:30; 17:1-4, 17).
ABRAHAM’S LIFE
The story of Abram begins in Genesis 11, where his family tree is recorded (Genesis 11:26-32). Terah, Abram’s father, was named after the moon god worshiped at Ur. Terah had three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran, the father of Lot, died before the family left Ur. Terah took Lot, Abram, and Abram’s wife, Sarai, from Ur to go to Canaan, but they settled at the city of Haran (11:31). Acts 7:2-4 states that Abram first heard the call of God while he was still in Ur.
A New Home
After Terah’s death, God told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.” This command was the basis of a God’s “covenant” with Abram. God promised to make Abram the founder of a new nation in that new land (12:1-3). Abram, trusting God’s promise, left Haran at the age of 74.
Entering Canaan, Abram went first to Shechem, an important Canaanite city between Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal. Near the oak of Moreh, a Canaanite shrine, God appeared to him (Genesis 12:7). Abram built an altar at Shechem, then moved to the vicinity of Bethel and again built an altar to the Lord (12:8). Abram not only prayed at this altar, he “called on the name of the L ORD” ( RSV). Abram made a proclamation, declaring the reality of his God in the Canaanites’ centers of false worship. Later Abram moved to Hebron, by the oaks of Mamre, where again he built an altar to worship God.
ABRAM GETS DISCOURAGED
Despite his obedience, Abram still had not received God’s promise of a son. Abram arranged for his servant, Eliezer of Damascus, to be his heir (Genesis 15:2). According to the customs of that day, a wealthy, childless couple could adopt an heir to receive its inheritance. Often a slave, the heir would be responsible for the burial and mourning of his adoptive parents. If a son should be born after the adoption of a slave-heir, the natural son would of course replace him. God responded to Abram: “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you” (15:4). God then made a covenant with Abram, promising him an heir whose descendants would multiply into a nation throughout the land of Canaan.
Abram and Sarai again tried to work out their own version of God’s plans. When Abram was 86 years old, he had a child by Sarai’s servant, Hagar. This child, named Ishmael, was a blessing, but he was not the one God had promised. When Abram was 99, the Lord appeared to the aging Abram and reaffirmed his promise of a son (Genesis 17). He instructed Abram to circumcise his descendants as a sign that they were God’s people (Genesis 17:9-14). He also changed the names of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah (17:5, 15). Abraham laughed at the thought of having another son at his age: “Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. ‘How could I become a father at the age of one hundred?’ he wondered. ‘Besides, Sarah is ninety; how could she have a baby?’” (17:17). God’s timing certainly did not coincide with Abraham’s schedule, but Abraham continued to obey God and wait for his plans.
GOD REAFFIRMS HIS PROMISE
The destruction of two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, provided the setting for the next step in God’s plan for Abraham (Genesis 18-19). Chapter 18 begins with three individuals seeking comfort in the heat of the day on their way to these cities. Abraham offered refreshment and a meal to his mysterious guests, who turned out to be no ordinary travelers. The Angel of the Lord along with two other angels, appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2; Genesis 19:1). Some scholars believe the Angel of the Lord was God himself (Genesis 18:17, 33). The angels announced that Abraham’s promised son would soon be on his way. This time, it was Sarah who responded to the news by laughing.
ISAAC IS BORN
At long last, when Abraham was 100 years old and his wife was 90, “the L ORD did exactly what he had promised” (Genesis 21:1). The aged couple could not contain their joy at the birth of their long-promised son. Both Abraham and Sarah had laughed in unbelief in the days of promise; now they laughed and rejoiced at their fortune. The baby, born in God’s timing, was named Isaac (“he laughs!”). Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter! All who hear about this will laugh with me” (21:6).
Abraham’s Faith Is Tested
The laughter over Isaac’s birth soon ended. In Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. After 25 years of waiting for God’s promise, one can imagine the trauma of such a supreme test. Abraham realized this test meant there might be no heir and no mighty nation. But he also realized what it would mean if he did not obey God. Abraham took his son with him to an altar and prepared for the sacrifice. Just as the knife was about to fall, the angel of God stopped him by calling out “Abraham!” Isaac’s life was spared and Abraham would indeed become the “father of a multitude.”
God realized that Abraham was willing to give up his son. He realized how much Abraham loved him and was willing to obey him. The angel of God said, “I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me” (Genesis 22:12). Abraham noticed a ram caught in a nearby thicket. The angel explained that there would be a sacrifice that day, but it would not be Isaac who was sacrificed. God provided the ram as a substitute for Isaac. Abraham named the area where this took place “the Lord will provide.” This story pointed ahead to God’s provision of his only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Who?
Who was Abraham? Abraham was a man chosen by God to be the father of a great nation, the Jews.
What?
What did God promise Abraham? God promised that Abraham would have a son, even though he and his wife were very old.
Where?
Where did Abraham move? God told Abraham to move from his homeland to a new country called Canaan.
Why?
Why is Abraham remembered today? Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in order to obey God’s commands.
When?
When was Abraham’s son, Isaac, born? Abraham was almost 100 years old when his son, Isaac, was born.
Altar
Canaan
Canaanite
Circumcision
City of Ur
Covenant
Heir
Sodom and Gomorrah
INTRIGUING INFO
“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. . . . Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from God’s point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.’ . . . Faith is the key! God’s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe” (Romans 4:1-3, 16).
In Romans and Galatians, the Apostle Paul stressed the point that Abraham was the father of not only the Jews, but also of the whole community of those who trust in God. Therefore the promises God gave him are fulfilled in those who come to God through faith in Christ.