Abraham
His first name was Abram. In the Hebrew language Abram means "father is exalted." Later God changed his name to Abraham, which means "father of a multitude." He was the first Patriarch of ancient Israel and founder of the nation. At the age of 75 he was called to move from Haran, a city in ancient Ur of the Chaldean's, to an unknown land that God would show him. He obeyed and took his wife and nephew Lot with him. The Lord promised He would make Abraham the father of a great nation. His wife Sarah remained childless. She tried to "help" God with His promise by offering Abraham her handmaid to bear him a child. This union produced a son and they named him Ishmael. Later God blessed Sarah and Abraham with a child of their own in their old age. He was called Isaac. God gave Abraham a supreme test in asking him to sacrifice this beloved son. Abraham moved forward to obey, but when God saw his obedience He stopped him from carrying out the sacrifice, and provided a lamb in place of Isaac. Abraham is presented in the Scriptures as a man of faith and a model of righteousness. After Sarah's death he married Keturah and she bore him six sons. Although the sons and grandsons of Abraham and Keturah received many gifts from Abraham, all his property and authority went to Isaac, his principal heir. He died at the age of 175 and was buried along side his wife Sarah in a cave near Hebron. Jews, Moslems, and Christians all hold Abraham in high regard as a spiritual ancestor. He is called a "friend" of God.
Lessons from the life of Abraham:
- If God asks you to move in some direction He will attend you on the way.
- Our obedience can bless the whole world.
- Hospitality to others can be direct hospitality to God.
- Conflicts should be avoided, but when they do happen give the other party
- the freedom to set the rules for ending the conflict.
- God honors faith in Him.
- Don't try to manipulate answers to God's promises.
Abraham's story is told in Genesis 11-25; He is also mentioned in Exodus 2:24; Matthew 1:1-2; Luke 3:34; Acts 7:2-8; Romans 4; Galatians 3; and Hebrews 2, 6, 7 and 11.
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