Our 4th Word is Abraham

Abraham – The patriarch of the Jewish people and the father of all who believe.

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2:23)

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If there was an Old Testament Mount Rushmore, Abraham’s face would jut out prominently on the far left just like George Washington’s does because he is considered the father of our country. Abraham literally was the father of his and the story of Abraham is undeniable proof of God’s grace.

When we first meet Abraham in Genesis 11, he is already 75 and is living in Ur, which is near the Persian Gulf, which is modern day Iraq. At this time he is probably a worshiper of various different Mesopotamian idols. He hasn’t met the God of the Bible yet. During this time he’s known as Abram and it means “exalted father.” During this time he’s married to a woman known as Sarai then later called Sara, who can’t have children.

Then suddenly there is a shocking display of goodness, when the one true God comes crashing into Abram’s life with a bunch of outlandish promises. In his old age, he will become the father of a great nation. He also will be blessed, his name will become great and his descendants will be a blessing to all people on earth. (12: 1-3)

It doesn’t stop there. God promises a homeland to Abram. He also promises to be his shield and then He changes his name to Abraham which means “father of a multitude.”

No only does Abraham become the father of a multitude, but he’s also the father of the Jewish people and becomes the patriarch of the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael, whom he has with Hagar, Sarah’s maid.

When it comes to spiritually, he also becomes “the father of all who believe.” (Romans 4:11) This happens because when God said, “Go from your country,” Abraham “obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land.” (Hebrews 11: 8-9). God assured the old man his descendants would outnumber the stars, he truly “believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (Genesis 15:6)

And who was Abraham’s greatest descendant? That is an easy one to answer: Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1;1). This is declared in the New Testament through Him, through Christ’s perfect life, sacrificial death, and His glorious resurrection, that we are able to enjoy “a right relationship with God.” (Romans 4:13) So how do we get it? “It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it…if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.” (Romans 4:16)

Questions to Ponder

1. Do you have faith like Abraham?
2. Where in your life do you need to trust God today?
3. Why is Abraham such a towering figure in the Bible?