Ickisrulz
09-14-2017, 10:35 AM
Abraham is known as a man of faith and obedience-- rightfully so. But he did not become so overnight. He had failures and successes just like all of God’s people. Abraham’s biblical account is unique in that it fully shows the evolution and strengthening of his faith.
Joshua 24:2 Abram came from an idol worshiping household.
Acts 7:2 While in Mesopotamia (Ur), God told Abram to leave his country and his relatives and go to a land he would be shown. Abram left Ur with the intent of going to Canaan, but only went so far as Haran. He settled in Haran. Abram also had family members accompany him (his father and nephew). The Genesis account of this period suggests that Abram’s father was making the decisions during this period of time. It is easy to see that Abram did not follow the instructions God had given him. Abram undoubtedly postponed the fulfillment of God’s blessings until after the death of his father.
Gen 12:1-4 Records a second command to Abram after his father dies. He was to leave Haran and go to a land God would show him. He was also to leave his family members behind. Abram left Haran, but took his nephew Lot with him. Again, Abram did not follow all of God’s instructions.
Gen 12:6 Records God’s first promise of Abraham having descendants.
Gen 12:10 Abram seeks refuge in Egypt due to a famine. He lies about Sarai being his sister to avoid being killed. Abram is early into his relationship with God and wasn’t sure that God would protect him. God rescued Sarai and Abram is rebuked by a heathen king.
Gen 13 Abram and Lot separate because their herds of cattle are too big. Because Abram failed to follow God’s instructions, God stepped in to finally get Abram away from his family.
Gen 14 Abram rescues the kidnapped Lot. Abram refuses to accept rewards from Sodom’s king. At this point his is making an acknowledgement of God’s blessing (activity) in his life.
Gen 15 God elaborates on his promises to Abram. Abram’s child will come from his own body and eventually his descendants will be numerous. Abram believes God and it is credited as righteousness.
Gen 16 Sarai convinces Abram to have a child with her slave, Hagar. Abram, lacking in faith concerning God’s ability or intentions, has decided to help bring about God’s promise. The Genesis author uses phrases similar to those used in the account of the temptation of Eve to show what a bad idea this is.
Gen 17 God elaborates his promise to Abram. God’s chosen people will come from a child that comes from Sarai, not Hagar. The rite of circumcision is given and Abraham obeys. This is no small thing.
Chapter 18 God shares with Abraham his plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham is not convinced that God is doing the right thing. Abraham tries talking God into sparing the cities for the sake of the righteous people living there. Of course the only righteous man living there is Lot, whom God rescues.
Gen 20 Abraham lives in Gerar. Once again, suggesting a lack of trust in God, he lies about Sarah being his sister. Sarah is rescued from this situation by God. Abraham is rebuked by a heathen king a second time.
Gen 21 Isaac is born. It has been many years since the initial promise. The long gap is possibly because Ishmael would have needed to be old enough to leave the family. Abraham and Sarah most likely postponed the fulfillment of God’s promise through their plan of using Hagar.
Gen 22 Abraham is told to sacrifice Isaac. This is the supreme test of Abraham’s trust and faith in God. Abraham fully obeys God’s instructions demonstrating faith in God’s promises and ability. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham reasoned God would raise Isaac from the dead.
Joshua 24:2 Abram came from an idol worshiping household.
Acts 7:2 While in Mesopotamia (Ur), God told Abram to leave his country and his relatives and go to a land he would be shown. Abram left Ur with the intent of going to Canaan, but only went so far as Haran. He settled in Haran. Abram also had family members accompany him (his father and nephew). The Genesis account of this period suggests that Abram’s father was making the decisions during this period of time. It is easy to see that Abram did not follow the instructions God had given him. Abram undoubtedly postponed the fulfillment of God’s blessings until after the death of his father.
Gen 12:1-4 Records a second command to Abram after his father dies. He was to leave Haran and go to a land God would show him. He was also to leave his family members behind. Abram left Haran, but took his nephew Lot with him. Again, Abram did not follow all of God’s instructions.
Gen 12:6 Records God’s first promise of Abraham having descendants.
Gen 12:10 Abram seeks refuge in Egypt due to a famine. He lies about Sarai being his sister to avoid being killed. Abram is early into his relationship with God and wasn’t sure that God would protect him. God rescued Sarai and Abram is rebuked by a heathen king.
Gen 13 Abram and Lot separate because their herds of cattle are too big. Because Abram failed to follow God’s instructions, God stepped in to finally get Abram away from his family.
Gen 14 Abram rescues the kidnapped Lot. Abram refuses to accept rewards from Sodom’s king. At this point his is making an acknowledgement of God’s blessing (activity) in his life.
Gen 15 God elaborates on his promises to Abram. Abram’s child will come from his own body and eventually his descendants will be numerous. Abram believes God and it is credited as righteousness.
Gen 16 Sarai convinces Abram to have a child with her slave, Hagar. Abram, lacking in faith concerning God’s ability or intentions, has decided to help bring about God’s promise. The Genesis author uses phrases similar to those used in the account of the temptation of Eve to show what a bad idea this is.
Gen 17 God elaborates his promise to Abram. God’s chosen people will come from a child that comes from Sarai, not Hagar. The rite of circumcision is given and Abraham obeys. This is no small thing.
Chapter 18 God shares with Abraham his plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham is not convinced that God is doing the right thing. Abraham tries talking God into sparing the cities for the sake of the righteous people living there. Of course the only righteous man living there is Lot, whom God rescues.
Gen 20 Abraham lives in Gerar. Once again, suggesting a lack of trust in God, he lies about Sarah being his sister. Sarah is rescued from this situation by God. Abraham is rebuked by a heathen king a second time.
Gen 21 Isaac is born. It has been many years since the initial promise. The long gap is possibly because Ishmael would have needed to be old enough to leave the family. Abraham and Sarah most likely postponed the fulfillment of God’s promise through their plan of using Hagar.
Gen 22 Abraham is told to sacrifice Isaac. This is the supreme test of Abraham’s trust and faith in God. Abraham fully obeys God’s instructions demonstrating faith in God’s promises and ability. Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham reasoned God would raise Isaac from the dead.