Abraham

Born in Ur of Babylon, Abraham was a wealthy nomad. He was the first biblical leader of the children of Israel. Abraham’s life was marked by crises that tested his faith and each required the surrender of something dear to him. He was commanded to leave his country and kindred to go to a foreign land. (Gen 12:1) He eventually had to separate from his nephew Lot, who was particularly close to Abraham by virtue of kinship as a fellow believer and possible heir. (Gen 13:1-18) In obedience to God and His divine purpose, The supreme test of his spiritual maturity and life of faith was his willingness to offer up his son Isaac, heir to the promises of God, whom he loved. (Gen 22:1-19). As a friend of God and a man who implicitly trusted His divine promises, God made a covenant with Abraham, involving his descendents and all who would eventually place their trust in Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic covenant promises: “I will make thee great…father of many nations”(Gen 17: 1-8)