Topical Bible: Obedience: Abraham

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Introduction

Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, often referred to as the "father of faith." His life is a profound testament to obedience to God, marked by significant acts of faith and submission. Abraham's obedience is foundational to understanding the covenant relationship between God and His people, as well as the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.

Call and Covenant

The narrative of Abraham's obedience begins in Genesis 12, where God calls him to leave his homeland and family to go to a land that He would show him. This call is accompanied by promises of making Abraham a great nation, blessing him, and making his name great. Genesis 12:1-4 records, "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'"

Abraham's response is immediate and without hesitation. He departs as the Lord had instructed, demonstrating his trust and obedience. This act of leaving behind his familiar surroundings and stepping into the unknown is a significant demonstration of faith and obedience.

The Covenant of Circumcision

In Genesis 17, God establishes the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," and Sarai's name to Sarah. Genesis 17:10-11 states, "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

Abraham's obedience is again evident as he circumcises himself, his son Ishmael, and every male in his household on the very same day God commands it (Genesis 17:23-27). This act signifies Abraham's commitment to God's covenant and his willingness to obey God's commands fully.

The Sacrifice of Isaac

Perhaps the most profound test of Abraham's obedience is found in Genesis 22, where God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac. This command is particularly significant because Isaac is the child of promise, through whom God had promised to establish His covenant. Genesis 22:2 records, "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.'"

Abraham's response is one of unwavering obedience. He rises early the next morning, prepares for the journey, and sets out with Isaac to the place God had indicated. His faith is evident in his statement to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you" (Genesis 22:5). This indicates his belief that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.

At the moment of sacrifice, God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute. This act not only underscores Abraham's obedience but also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and multiply his descendants as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:16-18).

Legacy of Obedience

Abraham's life of obedience is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. His willingness to obey God, even when the commands seemed incomprehensible, is a testament to his deep faith and relationship with God. Abraham's obedience is celebrated throughout Scripture, and he is commended in the New Testament as an exemplar of faith (Hebrews 11:8-19).

Abraham's legacy of obedience is foundational to the narrative of salvation history, as through his lineage, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come, fulfilling God's promise to bless all nations through him.

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Genesis 12:1-4
Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you:
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Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said to him.
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Genesis 21:4
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
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Genesis 22:12
And he said, Lay not your hand on the lad, neither do you any thing to him: for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.
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Nehemiah 9:8
And found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and have performed your words; for you are righteous:
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Acts 7:3-8
And said to him, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you.
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Hebrews 11:8-17
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went.
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James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?
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Library

Abraham's Obedience
... But the very excellence of Isaac seems to have been, that he did not resist, that
he shewed the same perfect trust and obedience to Abraham that Abraham did ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xiii abrahams obedience.htm

Of Abraham's Obedience and Faith, which were Proved by the ...
... Book XVI. Chapter 32."Of Abraham's Obedience and Faith, Which Were Proved by
the Offering Up, of His Son in Sacrifice, and of Sarah's Death. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 32 of abrahams obedience and.htm

Jesus and Abraham.
... of Abraham. They trusted in their blood rather than in obedience to the God
of Abraham. Their proud language was false. Their nation ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and abraham.htm

The Obedience of Faith
... Even Abraham's obedience failed somewhat in this at first; for he started at once
from Ur of the Chaldees, but he only went as far as Haran, and there he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the obedience of faith.htm

Abraham and Isaac. Genesis xxii.
... Do not fritter away strength in trifles; begin at once upon the duties which call
for instant obedience. We do not read that Abraham asked Sarah's advice, the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxv abraham and isaac genesis.htm

The Faith of Abraham.
... Of this sort was Abraham's obedience. He continued to endure in the face
of God's delay to fulfil the promise. His reward consisted ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xi the faith of.htm

The Obedience of Faith
... that what He had promised He was able to perform.' God's omnipotence was Abraham's
stay ... Let the assurance that a life of full obedience is possible, possess you ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vi the obedience of faith.htm

The Call of Abraham
... how to read the precept need not be afraid that the prophecy will ever contradict
it, or render obedience to the precept an act of folly. Abraham then went ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... Many others had gone from his country to the regions of the Mediterranean but always
for gain or selfish betterment, Abraham went in obedience to the divine ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture.
... 5), I will perform the oath which I sware to Abraham, because that Abraham obeyed
my voice.'. Oh, when shall we learn how unspeakably pleasing obedience is in ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/i obedience its place in.htm