Genesis 11.27 to 25.18
Abraham is, possibly, the most important of all the Old Testament characters.
He appears first in Genesis chapter 11 verse 27. Then his name was Abram.
Here is a video about Abraham from the Bible Project people:
The Book of Genesis – Part 2 of 2 (click here)
Abram means something like “high father”. He left a big city called Ur with his extended family led by his father Terah.
It is not clear why Terah began this “exodus”. It seems to coincide with the death of one of his sons – Haran. He settles the family somewhere and calls the area Haran.
God – Yehovah – speaks with Abram and commands him to leave Haran and go somewhere else. Abram is not given precise instructions. He is given promises of great blessing. So, at 75 years of age – Abram steps out in faithful obedience.
The letter to the Hebrews picks up this point:
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
This reveals several things about Abram and the kind of faith God looks for in His people.
Courageous Faith – willing to take risks if God commands it.
- But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20
Confident Faith – able to take God at His Word and trust Him
- That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Contented Faith – free of regrets, no turning back, pressing forward
- Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Abraham was and is a hero of faith and is used as an example of what it means to have faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Further Study:
Hebrews chapter 11
Romans Chapter 4
What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3