that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a
land, and bring blessing to all nations.
Area of Abraham's travels
with his father Terah from Ur to Haran. After his father's death God called
Abraham to go to the land that he would show him where he would make of
Abraham a great nation. Abraham went to Canaan
with his wife Sarah and nephew Lot.
As Abraham and Sarah grew older they had no children, so Abraham fathered
a son, Ishmael, through Sarah's servant Hagar. The birth of Ishmael did not fulfill God's promise
of a child to Abraham and Sarah so the promise of a great nation remained
unrealized. God reaffirmed his promise to give Abraham descendants
as numerous as the stars in heaven, however, and God made circumcision
the sign of his covenant relationship. When Abraham was 100 years old,
Sarah bore a son named Isaac. God tested
Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac. As they traveled, Isaac
asked what they would sacrifice and Abraham replied that God would provide
the lamb. As Abraham made ready to sacrifice the boy, God intervened and
spared him, and Abraham sacrificed a ram caught in the bushes. The New
Testament portrays Abraham as an example of faith, affirming that the
promises God made to Abraham extend to all who believe.
12:1-3 - Call
- Promise and faith
- Binding of Isaac
- Exemplar of faith