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Abraham

Updated: Oct 11, 2020

“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)


Date

2166 BC – 1991 BC


Bible Reference

Genesis 11:26 – 25:10


Summary

Abraham, originally Abram, was born in Mesopotamia. God promised Abram that he would be the father of a great nation and that Sarah would give birth to a son. Gad also commanded Abram to leave his home and leave to a place God would show him. Abram obeyed. Once in Canaan, God promised the land to Abram’s offspring. Later a famine cause Abram to move to Egypt. Abram feared the Egyptians would kill and him to take his wife, so he told them that Sarai was his sister.


When Abram was 85 years old, and Sarai was 75 years old, they still had no children. So, Sarah offered Abram her slave girl Hagar. Not trusting God’s promise, Abram married Hagar and she had a son named Ishmael. Years later, God gave Abram the sign of circumcision and changed his name to “Abraham,” and Sarai’s name to “Sarah.”


Sarah gave birth to Isaac. When Isaac was grown, God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac. As Abraham prepared to obey, God stopped him and provided a replacement sacrifice.


(Genesis 11-12; 16-19; 21:1-7; 22:1-19)



Character

  • Righteous (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3)

  • Cowardly (Genesis 12:11-13; 20:2)

  • God fearing (Genesis 22:12)

  • Faithful (Hebrews 11:8-11, 17)


Symbolism

  • Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son can be compared to Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. (Genesis 21:1-19; Luke 22:39-53)

  • Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son showed he believed God would raise someone from the dead. (Hebrews 11:17-19)


Challenges

  • Leaving his family behind and moving to a strange unknown land. (Genesis 12:1-5)

  • Not having the courage to protect his wife. (Genesis 12:11-13; 20:2)

  • Not believing God could give him a son in his old age. (Genesis 16:1-4; 17:17, 18)

  • Witnessing the destruction of his sinful neighbors. (Genesis 18:20-33)

  • Willingness to give up his most important possession (Isaac) to obey God. (Genesis 22:1-19)


Lessons

  • God keeps his promises, even if it takes longer than we expect.

  • Those who believe in God and His promises are considered righteous. (Genesis 15:6)

  • All people who believe in Jesus Christ receive the blessing of Abraham, which is to be God’s chosen and beloved children. (Romans 4:12-18; Galatians 3:6-16)

  • The evidence of true faith is found in our actions. (James 2:20-22)


Genealogy of Jesus Christ

"And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods." (Joshua 24:2)

Prophecy of Jesus Christ

"I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)

"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (Genesis 22:18)

< Terah Isaac >





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