Abraham - the father of faith

By Domenico Barbera

Speaking of Abraham, it is not the simple tale of a character of antiquity, who was famous Abraham that the Bible presents as the father of a people, that is the Jews. Because if this is true, in that it cannot be disputed, according to what the Bible says, it is also true that Abraham is not only the acknowledged father of the Jews, but it is also the father of faith, as the New Testament recognizes it as such.

The purpose of our intervention, is not only to talk about this, but mainly highlight the characteristics that Abraham had that from the point of view of faith, made him famous, not only among the Jews, but also in the midst of Christianity.

In fact, when Christianity speaks of Abraham and holds him up for example of faith, it does so primarily on the basis of the characteristics that showed in believing in God and in having faith in Him, in all that which God said and the promises the he promised. These are the essential elements of antiquity proved that this man in his time, which made him famous in this area of ​​life, Christianity, do not hesitate to call the Christian character, supported especially by the testimony that the same Jesus He made when talking about him, and pointed for example model to the religious Jews who constantly challenged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Apr 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781547580880

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Chapter 1

The Beginning of Abram’s Story

From his birth until his departure from Ur of the Chaldeans with his father Terah and his wife Sarai.

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Introductory Note

W

e would like to clarify that in our work, we will adhere to the biblical text regarding Abram’s story; while for anyone that wants to delve into detailed matters concerning the patriarch, beginning with the meaning of his name, his origin, the nature of patriarchal religion and all questions relating to him, we refer the reader to the work of the methodical GLA (Grande lessico dell’Antico Testamento)[2].

As for the biblical passages that speak about Abram (just 69 times); this was his original name before it was changed to Abraham, with ha[3] being added to the original name. There is much to ponder and reflect upon, to derive various teachings concerning the life of faith, in particular Christian faith.

In addition, as we stated in the introduction, the name Abram occurs 69 times in the Old Testament and we will strive to examine all occurrences, specifically in light of their contexts, to better understand what the sacred author wanted to hand down and, at the same time, highlight the particular characteristics of the patriarch.

The Bible Text

Now Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. (Genesis 11:26)

This passage is the first in which Abram’s name appears. Furthermore, it is stated that Terah, at the age of seventy became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran, one of Terah’s three sons died before his father, while the family lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, their native country, while the other two sons took wives. Abram took as his wife Sarai, and Nahor took Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. It also states that Abraham's wife, Sarai was barren, that is, she had no children, or rather could not have children, because of infertility, preventing her from conceiving and bearing children (verses 29-30).

We do not know how old Abram was when he married Sarai, not only because the sacred writer did not record it (if he knew), but also because what concerned the sacred writer was not so much related to Abram and Sarai’s age when they married, but rather what he will have to say about the couple, especially Sarai being barren. Later we will discover that God would do a miracle in Sarai’s body, permitting her to conceive and bear a son, even in old age, when she was past the age of childbearing (Genesis 18:11).

As we begin to reflect on the foregoing Biblical text, we note that at this time, we are not told anything about the religious life of Abram while he dwelt in Mesopotamia. This does not mean that Abram was an idolater, a worshiper of pagan gods, as were the people of that place where he lived, but only that his faith in the true God had not yet revealed itself as it will appear later. The fact that the passage clearly states,

And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there. So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran.  (Verses 31-32)

This serves to help us understand that Abram, at that time, was subject to his father’s will and that the relocation from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, was made at the express desire of Terah, and that there was still no divine direction to this effect.

Finally, despite the fact that when Terah decided to take Abram, his son, and Lot, the son of Haran and Sarai his daughter-in-law, there had been a definite plan to move to Canaan, but this did not happen because, having arrived at Haran, where they settled, he died. We know, in fact, that when death comes, it never gives warning, and all the projects and the most careful plans that men conceive are nullified. That is what happened with Terah's death.

However, at this point, it should be emphasized that there is a significant difference between what man plans and schedules on the one hand and what God establishes in the plan of His will on the other. No object or power of the enemy can stop or neutralize the divine plan which God conceives for man, in any particular way. In fact, it was after Terah’s death that God would reveal to Abram the plans of His will for his life concerning the land of Canaan. This will be seen in the next chapter.

Chapter 2

God Speaks to Abram and Gives Him A Wonderful Promise

Introductory Note

T

he Bible tells us that God spoke to Abram several times. The first time was after the death of Terah, his father, as he dwelt in Haran with his wife Sarai and nephew Lot. However, what is not revealed is how God spoke to him; if it was in a dream or while he was awake. Since the biblical text does not reveal it, there is no need to attempt to discover how God spoke to him, because it is of no importance (if it were possible to know). The most important thing, in fact, in order to appreciate God's intervention, is undoubtedly the fact that Abraham realized that God spoke to him and that he understood exactly what he was told by his God who gave him precise instructions, while conveying specific promises.

In this respect, it bears pointing out that when God addresses man and communicates something about His plans and His will, it is unthinkable that He would not make Himself understood or that He would speak using veiled and mysterious terms. He always speaks leaving no doubt in the heart and mind of man. We will see it clearly in the reflection that follows.

Also, since up to now the sacred text has not told us anything about Abram’s religious life, then, strictly speaking, it could not describe the relationship he had with his God nor even explain how he expressed his faith. But the very fact that God spoke to him, ordering him to leave his dwelling place and go to a new land that He Himself would show him, accompanied by beautiful promises; is a good indication that helps us understand the relationship that Abram had with his God and how he was serving Him.

In other words, the manner in which God spoke to Abram, leads us to understand that He was not talking to a stranger, in the sense of not having had any relationship with him in the past, but rather He spoke as to someone that He had a good relationship with indicating that in his life, Abram held a fair knowledge of God. Finally, if we attribute this meaning to Abram's call then the advantageous position that this man had before God, not only appears bright and coherent in its logic, but also represents proof of how (even if we cannot define it) Abram was serving God along with his interest in God. Everything that we are saying is mainly supported by Abram's prompt obedience to God's will, as we shall see shortly.

The Bible Text

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

"Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

(Genesis 12:1-3)

Abram’s Call

The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran. (Acts 7:2)

This is how Stephen began his speech before the high priest and the others who were trying him. To know precisely the history of Abram’s call, of course, we must turn to the book of Genesis, which tells us that he lived in the city of Ur of the Chaldeans at that time.

From the account in Genesis, we know that Abram was the son of Terah, the brother of Nahor and Haran, and that they dwelt in Ur of the Chaldeans. He married a woman named Sarai, who was barren. After the death of Terah, which occurred in the village of Haran, Abram moved from there to go to a land that the Lord Himself would show him. This followed a singular appearance by God, who spoke to him;

"Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3)

The book of Genesis tells us that after Abram received this divine call, he departed and the Epistle to the Hebrews adds that Abram went out, not knowing where he was going. Since this detail is given special emphasis by the writer to the Hebrews, we must now say that he went out by faith. In other words, if Abram had not had faith, i.e. trust in what God had said, it would have been difficult for him to accept that message.

The message regarding Abram’s call, is recorded in three Bible passages.

Then He said to him, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." (Genesis 15:7);

"You are the Lord God,

Who chose Abram,

And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans,

And gave him the name Abraham."  (Nehemiah 9:7);

And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ (Acts 7:2-3).

The element of faith that characterized Abram’s life has great significance considering;

1) Abram was not a bachelor. He was already married and was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran (Genesis 12:4). For someone that is single, it is not difficult to move from one place to another. He does not have to account to anyone. But for someone that is bound by marriage, it is not easy to leave a place to go somewhere else, especially when the destination is unknown.

We do not know Sarai’s reaction when she learned from her husband that they had to leave Mesopotamia to go to a place that the Lord Himself would tell them, which then was the land of Canaan. Assuming that Sarai told her husband that she did not agree with what he told her, Abram would certainly have tried to persuade her to accept the move. After all, it was not to be interpreted as a husband's whim (even though at that time she showed remarkable respect and submission to her husband), but that they were obeying God.

2) Abram had reached a certain economic standing in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12:5). He was well positioned, economically speaking, as we would say today. Leaving an environment that he already knew and heading for another unknown destination was neither ideal nor easy. But since faith resided in this man, it was not a problem for him to face moving with all its implications.

It is valuable, even today, to draw both spiritual and practical applications at the same time, based on Abram’s experience, because faith is not something that has to do only with people of antiquity; it is also required of us living in the twenty-first century, despite the immense distance of millennia that separates us from the life and times of Abraham. Hebrews 11:6 clearly says,

But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

We certainly cannot establish a general rule that everything that Abram did in his day, must be done by us in the same way. One thing is certain, that the principle of obedience to God when He calls us to do something, is of universal scope, applicable to all people of every age, worthy of being put into practice in the most complete and absolute manner.

If God calls us to do a particular thing, no matter whether it is a small mission with minor commitments or a great activity that engages us intellectually and physically, the thing that should be borne in mind is obedience to God. The principle of God is that,

to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).

It knows no boundaries of time, people or circumstance and it never diminishes.

Obedience to God cannot be realized and materialized in our lives without faith. With faith in God, we will face the most difficult situations; the most unthinkable things; the most obvious absurdities humanly speaking, such as not knowing where we are going.

But it is also with faith in God that we experience the most beautiful things in life in relation to the promises of God. Of course, it is not a question here of showing others a highly spiritual life; it is rather to demonstrate how true the saying is that declares, God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Although not everything that is promised is received on earth (cp. Hebrews 11:13), the fact remains that in the absence of faith, in addition to not being grateful to God (Hebrews 11:6), you cannot achieve those goals in Christian life that, humanly speaking are unattainable. And what about Jesus’ question?

When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?

The answer undoubtedly will be the same: Nothing (Luke 22:35). When under the pretext of thoughtful and solicitous concern for the various needs of a missionary; of one who is engaged in the work of the ministry; a religious organization (which is responsible for the economic sustenance of the life of the missionary), by trying in every way to procure everything from the start; not only do we end up not experiencing the faithfulness of the Word of God, but we risk also to imagine a different reality about the immutability of God.

If God is faithful and has never failed to fulfill His commitments over the millennia, why should it be less so today? Why would He not take care of all those who have put their lives in His hands? Though everything changes on earth, men and circumstances, there is no reason to believe that the same is true of God. No! He is faithful! and those who will walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), will be able to boldly say to all,

For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear  (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Returning to the call of Abram, we find that God's message resonated as a very specific command and not as a mere suggestion:

Get out of your country;

From your family;

And from your father’s house.

One might ask why God gave Abram such a command. Would He not have been able to bring to fulfillment the plan of His will concerning Abram’s life and descendants while remaining in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans?

Even if we do not understand all things and cannot give a proper explanation, especially when they are not clearly described, the fact remains that God is sovereign in His choices and plans and that when He has completed what He Himself has established according to His will, everything will be clear and everything will correspond to the good of all those who trust Him, having obeyed His voice.

Since God had established that the land in which Abram would be blessed with a particular blessing was Canaan and that this land, dripping with milk and honey, would be assigned as an inheritance to his offspring; it was more than reasonable for God to call Abram to leave the land of Ur of the Chaldees. There is a certain parallel, prophetically speaking, between Abram's call and the words of Psalm 45: 10-11.

Listen, O daughter,

Consider and incline your ear;

Forget your own people also, and your father’s house;

So the King will greatly desire your beauty;

Because He is your Lord, worship Him.

This is well applicable to every believer and to the Church of Christ in general. From a purely spiritual perspective, every person who is part of the Church of Jesus Christ is called out of his country, i.e. worldly customs and traditions; to leave his friends and relatives, i.e. unwholesome friendships and relationships; the house of his father, i.e. interests and purpose of life; to be able to devote himself to what God says in His word; establish ties of friendship and fellowship with those who love God and live their Christian life according to the gospel standard. Such a spiritual application will invariably be beneficial to every person for the purpose of ever greater spiritual enrichment from God.

Abram’s Life

The writer to the Hebrews states that,

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.

Unfolding the story in this way, the sacred text presents us with how Abram lived when he left his native country. Although it is certain that Abram left without knowing where he was going, we know that God was guiding the life of His servant. In fact, when Abram arrived in Shechem, in the land of Canaan, the Lord appeared to him and said, To your descendants I will give this land (Genesis 12: 7). Abram, as testament of his gratitude to the Lord who was guiding him in the right way, built an altar to the Lord who appeared to him (verse 7).

And when he moved to Bethel, besides building an altar to the LORD, he invoked the name of the LORD (verse 8). These specific biblical clues are more than clear to show us that on the one hand God kept contact with Abram and on the other, Abram took care of his personal relationship with God. As a result of this relationship between Abram and God, it is not possible to ignore the characteristics of Abram's manner of living. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Abram dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country.

Although he knew that the land of Canaan where he was living was his and his descendants, according to the Lord’s specific promise to him, Abram considered himself a foreigner; as one who was passing through and therefore dwelling in tents.

We should not think that Abram lived in tents because he lacked the resources to build a nice home. Genesis 13:2 says that Abram was very rich in livestock, silver and gold. Thus, Abram's  chosen way of life was not meaningless. If he understood that he was a stranger in the land of Canaan, dwelling in tents was perfectly consistent with his faith in God.

This element acquires greater significance in light of the statement that the writer to the Hebrews makes when he says that Abram waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. With such hope that was not earthly but heavenly, all the details related to the patriarch’s way of life are significant and give us useful lessons for our Christian life.

Every application that can be made is suitable for the life of the missionary, the evangelist and in general of anyone that is engaged in the fulfillment of his ministry as well as for the simple believer who remains at home. The thing that unites one believer to another believer and is different from all others is the hope of a better life. There are no more beautiful and, at the same time, meaningful words than what we read;

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

God’s Promises to Abram

Regarding the promises God made to Abraham, we note how they were articulated and well defined.

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Such promises, apart from being amazing, deserve to be examined in depth in order to grasp all the wealth they contain and their inestimable value, since they do not relate only to Abram, but to all the families of the earth.

1. I will make you a great nation

The first point highlights God’s clear commitment to Abram in making him a great nation. This is not a matter of self proclamation by Abram concerning himself, as though he was thinking of an extraordinary level of greatness by comparing himself to a great nation or expecting the involvement of a high ranking human, but it emerges from the specific intervention by God who will accomplish this work by His divine power.

In fact, there is a significant difference between what man can do, both for himself and for others, and what God is capable of accomplishing on man’s behalf when He raises him to a greatness of this magnitude by making him a great nation.

This means, no doubt, that if God promised Abram that He would raise him to that degree of greatness, He saw in him a particular quality or characteristic that would permit Him to do such a work, in accordance with the divine principle that is valid for every human being at all times and which is enshrined in the Holy Scriptures, declaring that God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. He humbles those that would be great and lifts up those that are humble.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

"God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.  (James 4:6, 10)

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

"God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble."

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Furthermore, we must consider that the promise that God made to Abram, to make him a great nation, was later repeated to Jacob (who was the seed of Abram) when he was assured not to fear going down to Egypt.

So He said, I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. (Genesis 46:3)

While to Moses, though He made the same promise as He had made to Abram and Jacob, however God put a specific condition for it to be realized, that is, Moses would have had to allow the wrath of God to burn against Israel to destroy it, which Moses rejected by his continuous and persistent intercession in favor of the children of Israel. Here is what the biblical text says,

And the Lord said to Moses, I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.  (Exodus 32:9-10)

What, in fact, did that promise to Abram mean, I will make you a great nation? Had it something to do with the physical person of Abram or rather was it something else? Considering the other promises God made to Abram, when He promised to give him descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 15:5; 22:17), it seems more logical to think that the promise in question was not in reference to the physical person of Abram, but to his descendants.

Abram was to be the stock of this great tree from which would rise up Israel as a nation. That is how, in a practical sense, God would make Abram a great nation.

2. I will bless you

Since the promise to become a great nation was made to Abram, it was reasonable that he would personally be blessed in a special way. The blessing that God referred to did not only concern Abram’s material life, although he came out of Haran with many possessions (v. 5), but what he owned would be increased with the blessing that God promised him and furthermore, it would include his descendants which, according to the divine plan, would be numerous.

In fact, children, according to the Scriptures,