Abraham

By Steve Chance

Steve Chance's unique gifts of storytelling and humor, combined with his biblical insights, make Abraham a very engaging and compelling read. While rooted in biblical accuracy, the book is both thought-provoking and riveting. Steve's ability to uncover often-missed nuances that are hidden within the story makes this book a must read for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of this patriarch. Think Abraham and other Old Testament characters are boring? Think again!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Chance
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370665341

Steve Chance

STEVE CHANCE’S books, just like his life, are built around the theme of Amazing Grace. His first book, “Searching for Normalcy,” tells his life story.Born with cerebral palsy at a time in this country's history when disabled kids did not have a legal right to an education, Steve defied the odds. Mainstreamed throughout school, he continued his education by earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree. He's served in youth ministry and as a pastor prior to forming Golden Clay Ministries, a non-profit organization that has taken him literally around the world.Steve’s cerebral palsy gives him a platform to address issues of God’s sovereignty and grace. Whether he’s addressing a group of former street kids in Kenya, a church in the Midwest, or readers of one of his books, Steve’s message is the same: “Christ came to the cross to forgive my sins, not to take away my problems -- including my cerebral palsy.God’s grace in my life isn’t about helping me overcome my disability; rather, it’s about God walking with me through my life, cerebral palsy and all.” Steve has taken this message at churches, schools, and other venues all over the world and has traveled to 48 states and 12 countries.Steve and his wife, Randi, live in Upland, Indiana, with their daughter, Rachel, and dogs Happy and Rocky. When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys reading, chess, philosophical discussions, and just hanging out with his family.

Book preview

Abraham

The Patriarchs

by

Steven Chance

Copyright © 2016 by Steven Chance

All rights reserved. No part of this manuscript may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission from the author, except for a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages.

To Mom and Dad

Table of Contents

Introduction: Abraham, an Ordinary Guy

The Journey of a Thousand Miles, and More

Hi, Honey! Will You Be My Sister?

This Means War!

Hagar, the Other Woman

Unexpected Visitors

Fire, Brimstone, and Salt Shakers

Daddy Dearest

Little White Lies

Laughing with Isaac

He's Mine!

Isaac, Man of Faith

Death of a Spouse

Isaac Gets a Wife

Ashes to Ashes

Closing

Isaac and Jacob Preview

Introduction: Abraham, an Ordinary Guy

The Bible abounds with stories of God intervening in the lives of specific human beings – sometimes kings and other important personages, sometimes ordinary Joes. When God reaches down into the life of one of these biblical characters, he offers what that person needs – safety, power, or reassurance, for example – and he does it despite the fact that the recipient of his grace is often far from a paragon of virtue. It is as if God specifically chooses to work with and through very flawed, very human men and women – people like you and me.

In starting to look at the lives of some of these biblical grace-receivers, Abraham is a great place to start. As we shall see, there was nothing special about Abraham (known then as Abram) when God chose him. He was just an ordinary guy. But still God chose him to be the father of the nation that would eventually become Israel.

God and Abraham had a very special, personal relationship, and God extended grace to him at all times, even when Abraham messed things up. God gave Abraham personal protection, forgiveness when he needed it, and even, on one occasion, a miracle.

One more thing that you should know about Abraham: His life was far from boring! So let’s get started.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles, and More

Genesis 11:27-12:3

Our story begins with Terah, Abram's father, moving his family a thousand miles up the Euphrates River from Ur to Haran. He intended on traveling all the way to Canaan but, for some unknown reason, stops four hundred miles short of his destination. Perhaps age is taking its toll. He waited until his seventies before having children and now has to be over a hundred, for he has at least one grandson, Lot, and maybe more.

The big question is: Why the move from Ur? One guess is that Terah moves in an attempt to escape his grief. He lost one son, Lot's father, Haran, while in Ur, and no mention is made of his wife. Perhaps he wants a new start and just ups and decides to leave town, taking