Abraham
Father of Faith
c. 2166-1991 BC
Father
Terah
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
Sarah
Children
Ishmael, Isaac
Biography
Abraham, originally named Abram, was called by God to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house to journey to an unknown land. This call, received in Ur of the Chaldeans and confirmed in Haran, began the story of Israel and established the pattern of faith as obedient response to God's word. God's promises to Abraham were threefold: land, descendants, and blessing to all nations. These promises seemed impossible—Abraham was seventy-five when called and had no children, yet God promised offspring as numerous as the stars. Abraham "believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness"—the foundational text for the doctrine of justification by faith. Abraham's journey tested his faith repeatedly. In Egypt, he compromised by claiming Sarah was his sister. He attempted to fulfill God's promise through Hagar, producing Ishmael. Yet his faith grew through each test. When three visitors announced Sarah would bear a son within a year, Abraham believed despite being nearly one hundred years old. The supreme test came when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac—the son of promise, the miracle child through whom the promises would be fulfilled. Abraham's obedience to this terrible command demonstrated the depth of his faith. He reasoned that God could raise the dead, and he told Isaac that God would provide the lamb. At the crucial moment, God stopped Abraham's hand and provided a ram instead. Abraham died at 175 years old, the friend of God, having seen the beginning of God's fulfillment. Though he possessed only a burial cave in Canaan, he died in faith, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.
Key Events
God called Abram to leave his homeland with promises of blessing
God promised offspring like the stars; Abram believed and was counted righteous
God made a covenant, passing between the pieces alone
God established circumcision as the covenant sign; Abram became Abraham
Sarah bore Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old
Abraham's faith was tested when commanded to sacrifice Isaac
Key Verses
“And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
Faith was counted to him as righteousness
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.”
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called
Spiritual Significance
Abraham is the paradigm of saving faith—believing God against all natural evidence and being counted righteous. His story establishes that salvation has always been by grace through faith, not by works.
Typological Connection
Abraham offering Isaac prefigures the Father offering the Son. Isaac carrying wood prefigures Christ carrying the cross. The ram caught in thorns prefigures Christ as our substitute, crowned with thorns.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Believed God against impossible odds, obeyed immediately when called, generous toward Lot, intercessory prayer for Sodom, willing to sacrifice Isaac
Weaknesses
Lied about Sarah being his wife, took Hagar to produce an heir, sometimes acted in fear rather than faith
Lessons
Faith involves trusting God against impossible odds. Obedience follows genuine faith. God's timing is not ours. Human schemes cannot accomplish divine purposes.