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Abraham Father of the Faithful Friend of God. Interesting Facts about Abraham. Noah died when Abraham was about 75. Shem died about 9 years before Abraham. Abraham born 251 yrs. after Babel, 352 years after flood. Born and raised in the Shinar region, area of tower. Abraham’s Journey.
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Interesting Facts about Abraham • Noah died when Abraham was about 75. • Shem died about 9 years before Abraham. • Abraham born 251 yrs. after Babel, 352 years after flood. • Born and raised in the Shinar region, area of tower.
PADDAN-ARAM Babylon MESOPOTAMIA SHINAR • Abraham’s Journey
Interesting Facts (cont.) • Ur, very advanced, very pagan culture. Abraham and family were pagans. • Abraham was the first person called a Hebrew. • His life is the first detailed account in the Bible of the life-long relationship between God and a man. • The phrase, “Promised Land” originates with Abraham
Interesting Facts (cont.) • Land of Canaan is so called because it was the region settled by the descendants of Canaan, Noah’s grandson. • Abraham’s God-declared righteousness becomes the NT’s example of faith-only-righteousness • Hebron, Abraham’s home in Canaan, will be the place where king David begins his reign. • Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac, becomes the Temple mount in Jerusalem, Mount Zion.
Why Study Abraham? The promises and covenant God makes with Abraham are the basis of: • righteousness by faith apart from any law • righteousness of the Israelite by faith apart from the Mosaic Law • security of the genuine believer • eschatology • the pre-millennial return of Christ • the millennial reign of Christ upon this earth
Why was Abraham called? • Man had “lost” the gospel twice. • God preserve His gospel through one line by sovereignly initiating a unilateral covenant with one man, one lineage. • The calling and promises • Great faith, just little knowledge of the object • Fear triumphs over faith • God proves Himself faithful Overview
God separates Lot and reaffirms promises to Abraham • “Really, a son from your own body!” “Get it?” • God credits faith as righteousness! • Abraham and Sarah take charge • Abraham, father of nations • Sarah to God: That’s a laugh! Overview (cont.)
Birth of Isaac, 25 years after promise. God didn’t change His mind? • God to Abraham: “You’ve got to give up your first-born.” • God to Abraham: “You’ve got to give up Isaac.” • FAITH TRIUMPHS OVER FEAR.!!!!!!!!!!!!! Overview (cont.) Hebrews 11.17-19: By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Second Purpose for Studying Abraham • Abraham is far from perfect, but he learns from his mistakes, takes note of the faithfulness of God, and grows tremendously in his own faith and trust. Romans 4.19-22: And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Second Purpose for Studying Abraham • Abraham finished better than he started. • A model of the biblical family man. • Father of the faithful • Friend of God • He is the champion of multi-generational faithfulness both by providence and by act, Gen. 18.19
Second Purpose for Studying Abraham A study of the man and his life is a model of Proverbs 3.5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Which is winning, faith or fear?
