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
Good Morning Gloucester 
Wonderful work EJ!
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Thanks Marty, I’m glad you appreciate it.
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Not only is Abraham/Abram the farther of Judaism/Chritianity but also Islam. Hence, God’s covenant with Abraham is incredible if you consider the entire number of Jews, Christians and Muslims on the planet today – 3.6 Billion believers and growing.
Genesis Chapter 15 verse 5
He took him outside and said: Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so, he added, will your descendants be.
Ishmael and Hagar being taken to Mecca by Abraham in Islamic texts is an important part in the story of Ishmael, as it brings the focus to Mecca and is the beginning of Mecca’s sanctification as a holy area. Islamic tradition says Abraham was ordered by God to take Hagar and Ishmael to Mecca, and later Abraham returned to Mecca to build the Kaaba. In many of these accounts, the Sakina (something like a wind or spirit sent by God), or the angel Gabriel (Jibral) guides them to the location of the Kaaba, at which point Abraham builds it and afterwards, leaves the other two there (other versions discussed below say the construction of the Kaaba occurred later and that Ishmael took part in it). Generally, it is said that Hagar asks Abraham who he is entrusting herself and Ishmael to as he leaves them. He answers that he is entrusting them to God, to which Hagar then makes a reply that shows her faith, stating that she believes God will guide them. Hagar and Ishmael then run out of water and Ishmael becomes extremely thirsty. Hagar is distressed and searches for water, running back and forth seven times between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. Hagar is later remembered by Muslims for this act during the Hajj, or pilgrimage, in which Muslims run between these same hills as part of the Sa’yee. When she returns to Ishmael, she finds either him or an angel scratching the ground with their heel or finger, whereupon water begins flowing and Hagar collects some or dams it up. This spring or well is known as Zamzam….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmael_in_Islam
What does this mean? In the end, 3.6 billion of us pray to the same God and our combined faith emanates from that one incredibly faithful man of God; Abraham. With the way the world and is today we need to listen to the quiet voice inside of us (the voice of God) and not to the fear mongering fanatics inflaming the world with their hateful rhetoric. In the end we will answer to God and to God only. And God always has, and always will, trump everything else! (pun very much intended)
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Thank you so much Rick, that is such a wonderful, all-encompassing, critically important piece of truth to share. What many Christians (general term used here for all who attend or associate themselves with a Catholic, Protestant, non-denominational or other church group that associates with Christ) do not realize is that Muslims hold Jesus up as a critically important person in their faith (unfortunately, they view him only as a great prophet, and not the Son of God), and they await his return, but not for the same reason Christians do. What many also do not realize is that the Bible itself was written in large part by and for Jews. The only non-Jewish author that I am aware of is Luke (Luke and Acts). The first five books of the Bible are the basis of all Jewish law. Jesus came as Messiah for the Jews, but also for all nations, so that they might know God. The Apostle Paul was the only one called specifically for the gentiles (non-Jews). It is a shame that people allow “religious” differences to get in the way of their intended relationship with God and each other.
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One thing I do know is that God knows all things and works in mysterious ways. In other words we know very little (infinitely even less than that as relate to God) so I’m sure God in His infinite wisdom has the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all the rest of his children all sorted out and His plans for all of them are well in hand. Who am I to question God? I focus on following the teaching of Jesus and let God take care of this crazy world of ours that we can’t ever understand. That in itself is a full time job for me (and believe me when I say it’s a FULL TIME job!) and I don’t have time, authority, or Wisdom to criticize anyone or any religion.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Peace be with you
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And to you, and to all of us of this world, who are all in this together. Great words of wisdom. Thank you.
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Yes together! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together
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