Topical Bible: Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham

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Introduction:
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible and is revered as a patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His life and faith journey are foundational to understanding God's covenantal relationship with His people. Abraham's account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a man of profound faith and obedience to God.

Early Life and Call:
Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. He was the son of Terah and had two brothers, Nahor and Haran. The narrative of Abraham begins in Genesis 11:27-32, where his family is introduced. God's call to Abram is a pivotal moment in biblical history. In Genesis 12:1-3 , the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, your kindred, and your father's house, to the land that 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."

Covenant with God:
The Abrahamic Covenant is a cornerstone of biblical theology. God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a multitude of nations and that his descendants will inherit the land of Canaan. This covenant is reiterated and expanded in Genesis 15 and 17. In Genesis 15:5-6 , God takes Abram outside and says, "Look now at the heavens and count the stars, if you are able. Then He told him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Name Change and Sign of the Covenant:
In Genesis 17, God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of a multitude," and Sarai's name to Sarah. The sign of the covenant is established through circumcision, marking Abraham and his male descendants as God's chosen people. 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."

Testing of Faith:
One of the most profound tests of Abraham's faith occurs in Genesis 22, where God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey demonstrates his unwavering faith. At the last moment, God provides a ram as a substitute, sparing Isaac's life. This event foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and is a testament to Abraham's trust in God's promises.

Legacy and Descendants:
Abraham's legacy is vast, as he is considered the father of the Jewish nation through his son Isaac and the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael. His faith and obedience set a precedent for future generations. In the New Testament, Abraham is frequently cited as an exemplar of faith. Hebrews 11:8-10 highlights his faith: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country."

Significance in Christianity:
In Christian theology, Abraham is seen as a model of faith and righteousness. The Apostle Paul discusses Abraham's faith in Romans 4, emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith, not works. Galatians 3:7-9 states, "Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Conclusion:
Abraham's life and faith journey continue to inspire believers across the world. His account is a testament to the power of faith, obedience, and the enduring promises of God.

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Genesis 12:1-8
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 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.
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Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.
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Genesis 18:22-33
And the men turned their faces from there, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
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Library

Introduction
... remembrance of events of outstanding religious importance (12 ... of Christ in outstanding
Old Testament ... Koenig, Eduard, Geschichte der Alttestamentlichen Religion. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... him by what he saw of the religion of the ... To every Jewish child of a religious
disposition Jerusalem ... The outstanding qualities of Paul's intellect, which were ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

The Book of God
... have not made the most of their religion. ... such concession, however, the outstanding
characteristics of ... and thousands going through religious ceremonials, some ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iv the book of.htm

Chapter xxii
... patriarchal religion as well as of all Israelitish religion. ... the most exalted form
of religious worship was ... to Abraham should be an outstanding one embracing ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

The Bible in the Life of To-Day
... must fly to the defense of religion against the ... with great profit in teaching religious
truth. ... great literature of its conspicuous outstanding character, and ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture vi the bible in.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... society were the typical and outstanding instances of those ... in rhetoric about morals
and religion which the ... the ambition and intrigues of religious parties and ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

Chapter i
... to indicate the Trinity or the three persons in the ... the name is taken from the
outstanding part, a ... that the Genesis account presents a "religious advance to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

Chapter xlix
... that no judgment is pronounced on religious conditions in ... to a totemistic state of
religion through which ... 9. A fuller description of this outstanding trait of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... by our wisdom or insight or religious devotion or ... pure hands he formed man, his
outstanding and greatest ... you, brothers, about what befits our religion and is ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... history, their rituals of theology and religious worship, their ... nature and title;
the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob ... had its effect on their religion as well ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm