Abraham, or Abram as he was originally called, was one of the most significant Old Testament character. Abraham was a man of great faith. He trusted and believed God, and did what He asked, even though it would appear totally crazy to other men. God called Abraham his friend, and even though he was human and imperfect, God counted him as righteous (in right relationship with God) because of his faith — not because of his works, or goodness, or adherence to law, but for his faith and trust in God. He left his family and comfort and in faith followed God’s lead, not knowing where he was going.
Even though Abraham was very old and his wife, Sarah (originally called Sar’ai), was barren and never able to give him children, God told Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, that he would give him a son, and Abraham believed Him. The descendants that God tells him of are not necessarily the genealogical descendants of Abraham; they are all those who will follow in Abraham’s footsteps by walking in trust and faith in God. Those are the true descendants of Abraham, whatever their nation.
Now Sarah got impatient awaiting God’s promise of a son, and gave Abraham her maid, Hagar, to lie with. He did and she conceived and gave birth to Ish’mael. Abraham was 86 at the time. This turns into a mess, with Hagar looking down with contempt at her mistress, Sarah. Sarah does finally get pregnant, when Abraham is 99 years old and she is 89, and gives birth to Isaac, but Hagar treats him badly. Hagar and Ish’mael end up getting turned out.
Isaac is obviously an incredible blessing to Abraham, and the evidence of God’s promise. In spite of that, Abraham remains faithful to the point of being willing to sacrifice his beloved son when God tells him to do so. Of course, his faith was rewarded in the end.
Reference: Genesis 22:1-13
After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Mori’ah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
E.J. Lefavour
http://www.hobbithousestudio.com
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