Abraham

Abraham, which means "father of many," was chosen to become the father of a new spiritual people, the Jews. He was also the father of what are today consider the Arabian peoples.

Abraham received a message from the Lord calling Abraham to separate himself from his old associations and go to a new country. God promised Abraham divine favor, great prosperity and that he would become a blessing to all the families of the earth.

Abraham had a choice to make. His decision was between setting out with his family and belongings for parts unknown, or staying right where he was. He had to decide between the security of what he already had and the uncertainty of traveling under God's direction. All he had to go on was God's promise to guide and bless him. Abraham could hardly have been expected to visualize how much of the future was resting on his decision of whether to go or stay, but his obedience affected the history of the world. His decision to follow God set into motion the development of the nation that God would eventually use as His own when He visited earth Himself. When Jesus Christ came to earth, God's promise was fulfilled; through Abraham the entire world was blessed.

Abraham's faith and obedience were tested by God in Moriah when he was commanded to sacrifice Isaac. Most of us recognize the test of obedience, but there was a test of faith here as well. The test of faith was whether Abraham would believe God's words. Those words were the promise that through Isaac Abraham's seed would be uncountable. This would not be possible if Isaac were killed. So Abraham's faith "said" that God had other plans. Maybe God would raise Isaac from the dead, or maybe God would intervene. But Abraham's faith appears to have preceded his obedience.

God provided an alternative sacrifice, however, saving the boy's life. As a reward for Abraham's faithfulness, God renewed the covenant promises of great blessing and the growth of a mighty nation to father and son.

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