5- Abraham

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. (5)

References:

Notes For Servants:
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Objectives:
General:
Specific:
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Instructions:
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Bible Verse:
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
(Ps 1:1)
Lesson:

Abraham

A'BRAHAM (a'bra-ham; "father of a multitude"). Up to Gen 17:5, also
in 1 Chron 1:27; Neh 9:7, he is uniformly called Abram, "high father." The
name Abram-Abu-ramu, "the exalted father"-is found in early Babylonian
contracts. Family. Abraham was a native of Chaldea, and descendant in the
ninth generation from Shem, the son of Noah. His father's name was Terah,
and he was born in Ur, 2161 B.C. (Gen 11:27).
Personal History:
The life of Abraham, from his call to his death, consists of four
periods, the commencement of each of which is marked by a divine revelation
of sufficient importance to constitute a distinct epoch.

The First Period:
The call and Abraham's journey to Canaan, to Egypt, and back again to
Canaan occurred during this period. Moves to Haran. When Abraham was
about seventy years of age he, with his father, Terah, his nephew Lot, and his
wife Sarah, went to live in Haran (Gen 11:27-31). The reason for this
movement is given in Acts 7:2-3: "The God of glory appeared to our father
Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to
him, 'Depart from your country and your relatives, and come into the land that
I will show you."
Departs from Haran. At the death of his father the call to Abraham was
renewed. "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country, and
from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show
you'" (Gen 12:1). A condition was annexed to the call that he should separate
from his father's house and leave his native land. He left his brother Nahor's
family (who had also come to Haran, cf. Gen 22:20,23; 24:29; and 27:43) and
departed, taking with him Lot, probably regarded as his heir (Josephus Ant.
1.7.1), and all his substance, to go "not knowing where he was going" (Heb
11:8). Gen 12:5 states that Abraham "set out for the land of Canaan," but Heb
11:8 states that "he went out, not knowing where he was going." At first the
name of the country was not revealed to him. It is designated simply as a "land
which I will show you" (Gen 12:1). But even if the name Canaan had been
mentioned at the onset, it might still be true that he went forth "not knowing
where he was going." For, in those days of slow transit, imperfect
communication, and meager geographical knowledge, the mere name of a
country several hundred miles distant would convey almost no idea of the
country itself (Haley).
Arrival in Canaan. He traveled until he came into the land of Canaan,
and there he formed his first encampment beside the oak of Moreh, between
the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, where his strong faith was rewarded by
the second promise that his seed should possess this land. Abraham built "an
altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him" (12:6-7). It is probable that
the Canaanites were jealous of Abraham, and that he therefore soon removed
to the mountainous district between Bethel and Ai, where he also built an altar
to Jehovah.
In Egypt. He still moved southward until, at length, compelled by a
famine, he went into Egypt. Fearing that the beauty of Sarah would tempt the
Egyptians and endanger his life, he caused her to pass for his sister, which was
partly true, for she was his half sister, having the same father but a different
mother (Gen 20:12). Sarah was taken to the royal harem, and Abraham was
loaded with valuable gifts which he did not deserve, that could not be refused
without an insult to the king. Warned of his mistake, Pharaoh summoned
Abraham, and indignantly rebuked him for his subterfuge. He then dismissed
Abraham, who went out of Egypt, taking his wife and Lot and his great wealth
with him (Gen 12).
Return to Canaan. Having reached his former encampment between
Bethel and Ai, he again established the worship of Jehovah (Gen 13:3-4). The
increased wealth of Abraham and Lot became the cause of their separation.
The country did not furnish sufficient pasture for the flocks and herds of both
Abraham and Lot, and dissensions arose between their herdsmen. In order to
avoid strife and consequent weakness before their enemies, Abraham
proposed that they occupy different districts. He gave the choice of locality to
Lot, who selected the plain of the Jordan and pitched his tent there. The
childless Abraham was rewarded with a third blessing, in which God
reiterated His promise to give him the land and a posterity as numerous as the
dust of the earth. Then Abraham moved his tent, dwelt in Mamre, near
Hebron, and built an altar (Gen 13).
Rescue of Lot. Lot was now involved in danger. The five cities of the
plain had become tributary to Chedorlaomer (Kedorlaomer, NIV), king of
Elam. In the thirteenth year of their subjection they revolted, and
Chedorlaomer (Kedorlaomer) marched against them with three allied kings.
The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell, their cities were spoiled, and Lot and
his goods were carried off (Gen 14:1-12). Word was brought to Abraham, who
immediately armed his dependents, 318 men, and with his Amorite allies
overtook and defeated them at Dan, near the springs of Jordan. Abraham and

his men pursued them as far as the neighborhood of Damascus and then
returned with Lot and all the men and goods that had been taken away, about
2080 B.C.
Meeting with Melchizedek. Arriving at Salem on their return, they
were met by Melchizedek (which see), king of Salem, and "priest of God Most
High," who brought him refreshments. He also blessed Abraham in the name
of the most high God, and Abraham presented him with a tenth of the spoils.
By strict right, founded on the war usages still subsisting in Arabia, Abraham
had a claim to all the recovered goods. The king of Sodom recognized this
right, but Abraham refused to accept anything, even from a thread to a shoe
latchet, lest any should say, "I have made Abram rich" (Gen 14:17-24).
The Second Period:
Vision of Abraham. Soon after this Abraham's faith was rewarded and
encouraged by a distinct and detailed repetition of former promises and by a
solemn covenant contracted between himself and God. He was told, and he
believed, that his seed should be as numerous as the stars of heaven, that his
posterity should grow up into a nation under foreign bondage, and that after
four hundred years they should come up and possess the land in which he
sojourned (Gen 15).
Birth of Ishmael. Abraham had lived ten years in Canaan, and still he
had no child. Sarah, now seventy-five years of age, followed contemporary
custom and allowed Abraham to take Hagar, her Egyptian handmaid, who
bore him Ishmael (Gen 16), 2075 B.C.
The Third Period:
The establishment of the covenant, the change of Abraham's name, and
the appointment of the covenant sign of circumcision (Gen 17-21) occurred
during this period.
Change of Name. Thirteen more years passed, and Abraham reached
his ninety-ninth year. God appeared to him and favored him with still more
explicit declarations of His purpose. He changed his name from Abram to
Abraham, renewed his covenant, and in token of it commanded that he and the
males of his company should receive circumcision. Abraham was assured that
Sarah, then ninety years old, should in a year become the mother of Isaac, the
heir of the special promises. Abraham wavered in faith and prayed for
Ishmael, whom God promised abundantly to bless, but declared that He would
establish his covenant with Isaac.
Circumcision. That very day Abraham, his son Ishmael, and all the
males of his household were circumcised (Gen 17).
Visit of Angels. Abraham was favored, shortly after, with another
interview with God. Sitting in his tent door under the oaks of Mamre he saw
three travelers approaching and offered them his hospitality. They assented,
and partook of the fare provided, Abraham standing in respectful attendance,
according to oriental custom. These three persons were, doubtless, the "Angel
of Jehovah" and two attending angels. The promise of a son by Sarah was
renewed, and her incredulity rebuked. The strangers continued their journey,
Abraham walking some way with them.
Destruction of Sodom. The Lord revealed to him the coming judgment
upon Sodom and Gomorrah; and then followed that wondrous pleading in
behalf of the cities (Gen 18). Abraham rose early the next morning to see the
fate of the cities and saw their smoke rising "up as the smoke of a furnace"
(19:27-29), 2063 B.C.
Sarah Taken by Abimelech. After this Abraham journeyed southward,
and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. Abimelech, king
of Gerar, sent for and took Sarah, but was warned of God in a dream and sent
her back the next morning to Abraham, whom he reproved for the deceit he
had employed. He was healed in answer to Abraham's prayer (Gen 20).
Isaac Born. At length, when Abraham was one hundred years old, and
Sarah ninety, the long-promised heir was born, 2061 B.C. The altered position
of Ishmael in the family excited the ill will of himself and his mother. This
was so apparent in the mocking behavior of Ishmael at the weaning of Isaac
that Sarah insisted that he and Hagar should be sent away, to which Abraham

reluctantly consented. Abraham, after settling a dispute concerning a well
taken by Abimelech's servants, made a treaty with him (Gen 21).
The Fourth Period:
In this period occurred the test of Abraham's faith and his final years.
Abraham's Great Trial (Gen 22:1-25:11), 2036 B.C. When Isaac was nearly
grown (twenty-five years old, says Josephus Ant. 1.13.2) God subjected
Abraham to a terrible trial of his faith and obedience. He commanded him to
go to Mt. Moriah (perhaps where the Temple afterward stood) and there offer
up Isaac, whose death would nullify all his hopes and the promises. Probably
human sacrifices already existed, and therefore the peculiar trial lay in the
singular position of Isaac and the improbability of his being replaced.
Abraham decided to obey, because "he considered that God is able to raise
men even from the dead" (Heb 11:19). Assisted by his two servants, he made
preparations for the journey and started early the next morning. On the third
day he saw the place and told his servants that he and his son would proceed
on further to worship, then return. Upon Isaac's asking, "Where is the lamb for
the burnt offering?" Abraham replied, "God will provide for Himself the
lamb." The altar was built and Isaac placed upon it. The uplifted hand of the
father was arrested by the angel of Jehovah, and a ram caught in the thicket
was substituted for Isaac. Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-jireh,
"The Lord Will Provide." The promises formerly made to Abraham were then
confirmed in the most solemn manner. Abraham returned to his young men
and with them went to Beersheba and dwelt there (Gen 22:1-19).
Some have found it difficult to reconcile God's command to sacrifice
Isaac with His prohibition of human sacrifices (Lev 18:21; 20:2). We answer,
"God's design was not to secure a certain outward act, but a certain state of
mind, a willingness to give up the beloved object to Jehovah" (Haley). "The
divine command was given in such a form that Abraham could not understand
it in any other way than as requiring an outward burnt offering, because there
was no other way in which Abraham could accomplish the complete surrender
of Isaac than by an actual preparation for really offering the desired sacrifice"
(K. D., Com.). Moreover, any criticism of Abraham's sacrifice of his son must
be modified by his evident belief in God's ability to raise that son from the
dead.
Death of Sarah. The next event recorded in Abraham's life is the death
of Sarah, 127 years of age, at or near Hebron (which see). Abraham purchased
from Ephron the Hittite the cave of Machpelah (which see), the field in which
it stood, and all the trees in the field, and there he buried Sarah (Gen 23).
Marriage of Isaac. His next care was to procure a suitable wife for
Isaac. He commissioned his eldest servant to go to Haran, where Nahor had
settled, and get a wife for his son from his own family. The servant went and,
directed by God, chose Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor. In due
time he returned, and Rebekah was installed in Sarah's tent (Gen 24). Some
time after Abraham took another wife, Keturah, by whom he had several
children. These, together with Ishmael, seem to have been portioned off by
their father in his lifetime and sent away to the E, that they might not interfere
with Isaac.
Death. Abraham died when he was 175 years old and was buried by
Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah (Gen 25), 1986 B.C.
Man of Faith. The spiritual experience of Abraham was marked by
four far-reaching crises in which his faith was tested, and which, in each case,
called forth the surrender of something naturally most dear to him: first, his
giving up country and kindred (Gen 12:1); second, his breaking off with his
nephew, Lot, particularly close to Abraham by virtue of kinship as a fellow
believer and possible heir (Gen 13); third, the abandonment of his own
cherished plans for Ishmael and his being called upon to center his hope in the
promise of the birth of Isaac (Gen 17:17-18); fourth, the supreme test of his
mature life of faith in his willingness to offer up Isaac, his only son, whom he
loved passionately and in whom all his expectations centered (Gen 22:1-19;
Heb 11:17-18).

Man of Covenant Promise. As a friend of God and a man who
implicitly trusted the divine promises, Abraham was the recipient of an
important covenant involving not only himself, but his posterity, natural as
well as spiritual.

Conclusion:
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