Why is Abraham so important for his importance rises from a variety of reasons? Even the smallest search will reveal some amazing facts. Not only was he the great-great grandson of Noah, he lived in an idol worshipping nation.
Abram’s Roots
Abram was born into to a small nation called Chaldea, which is now in modern Iraq. It was very wealthy, and had a large, sophisticated population. Chaldea is still widely known for the great ziggurat built in the city of Ur. Built as a place of worship, and dedicated to the moon god, Nanna, the ziggurat still stands today.
Abram’s father, Terah, was a general in the service to King Nimrod, who was a great-grandson of Noah, through the cursed line of Ham, Genesis 9:25. Nimrod was a very powerful man and a mighty hunter before the Lord, Genesis 10:2. He would have seen the Tower of Babel and the confusion of language.
Nimrod’s astrologers told him the stars had revealed the impending birth of Abraham, from the blessed line of Seth, who would put an end to idolatry. Nimrod ordered the slaughter of all newborn male children. Jewish history says that a man named Elderty hid baby Abraham in a cave.
Much later, Pharoah similarly demanded the death of all male newborns, Exodus 1:6. Centuries after that Herod, would later issue a similar order to kill all boys under two-years old in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, Matthew 2:16.
The Call and the Promise
God appeared to Abraham and called him to leave Ur, Acts 7:2. Terah took Abraham and his grandson Lot, whose father had died, and travelled to Haran and settled there, Genesis 11.
Following the death of Terah, God again appeared to Abraham calling him to go forth from his country, from his relatives and from his father’s house to the land God would show him, Genesis 12:1.
God promised to make Abraham a great nation, if Abraham would obey Him, Genesis 12:2,3, and through Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed. Abraham was 75-years old when he began the long trek that would eventually take him to the land of Canaan, a land that was peopled with giants.
Son of the Promise
Again, God confirmed the covenant He had with Abraham, adding the promise of an heir, Genesis 15:3,4. Abraham longed for that son, for sons were seen as a man’s wealth.
Listening to Sarah his wife, he had a son by an Egyptian handmaid, as Sarah remained barren. Abraham was 86-years old when Ishmael was born. He would be a wild man, his hand against every man and every man against him, Genesis 16:12. However, Abraham rejoiced as he truly believed that God had given him the promised son.
For 13 long years God did not speak to Abraham. Then one day He came to Abraham and told him that Ishmael was not the son of the promise. Abraham must have been devastated as he faced the fact that he had tried to humanly achieve God’s will.
Test of All Tests
Abraham was 100-years old when Isaac was finally born. For many years Abraham exalted in the son of promise. Then God came to Abraham and instructed him to take Isaac and offer him up as a burnt offering, Genesis 22:2.
This is the first mention of a son thou lovest, pointing to the Son of God, the One who would be sacrificed, once for all humanity. He alone could provide the way to a restored relationship with God, for no man comes to the Father but through Christ, John 14:6.
Abraham must have been overwhelmed, yet he would not disobey God for he knew the baptism of fire. He would have known of the flood in Noah’s day, as he was Noah’s great, great grandson. Abraham had heard about the tower of Babel and seen the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He had grown up in an idol worshipping nation and knew the dark side of life.
Abraham’s Importance in Faith In God
Abraham had faith that God would somehow work it out. What thoughts would have filled his head in the three-day journey to Mount Moriah? Maybe God would resurrect Isaac?
Yet, Abraham’s faith was steadfast in the goodness of God, Genesis 22:5, as they left the young men and went on alone to the place that would become known as Jerusalem. Abraham had enjoyed the company of his son for all those years. Now he had to sacrifice him at God’s command.
Father and Son
Many believe Isaac was a late teenager, or early 20s and fully able to comprehend what was happening. How totally did Isaac trust his father, as Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and Iaid it on his son, Genesis 22:6? Just as Jesus would centuries later carry His cross to Calvary at the Father’s behest, John 19:17.
What did Abraham say to Isacc as he tied him and laid him on the alter, Genesis 22:9? What did Isaac think as he looked into his father’s eyes? Abraham said, God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, Genesis 22:8. This points to the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8.
Substitute Sacrifice
How did Abraham feel as he lifted the knife to kill the son of promise, Genesis 22:10? What was in Isaac’s heart at that moment? Is it any wonder Christ cried from the Cross, My God, My God why have you forsaken Me, Mattthew 27:46. There was no smile on His Father’s face.
God stopped Abraham and provided a ram in Isaac’s place, Genesis 22:11, 12, just as the Son of God would die in our place, John 3:16.
What is the Importance of Abraham?
Do we have the kind of faith in our loving Heavenly Father that Abraham had? Could we give up absolutely everything if God asked us to? Does God have first place in our lives? Do we love Him with our whole body, soul and spirit? Are we yearning to be in His intense presence?
Abraham paid a very high price for the blessings of Genesis 22:17. He knew what it was to be baptised with the baptism of fire. Hebrews 11 lists Abraham high on the roll call of the faithful. Likewise we are called to live as citizens of heaven, 1 Peter 2:9, in this world but not of this world, John 17:14.
Jesus came in obedience to the father’s will, just as Isaac submitted to the will of Abraham. Now, we live not by our faith, but by the faith of the Son of God, who gave Himself for us, Galatians 2:20. Do we trust God as fully as Abraham did? Abraham must have gone through the agonizing valley of doubt, fear and anxiety, just as we do. Yet, he did not let that be the rule that defined him for He totally trusted His God.
Do We Honour God
We want all the blessings of God but will we give the honour due to Him? Faith is a gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. Ask Him to increase your faith and to have faith like Abraham.
God loves us more than we can imagine. Let us honour Him today, for without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6.
Special Note
There are over 50 first-mentions in the account of Abraham’s life. He truly
was an important man. You will find seeds of every major biblical topic in the writings on his life.
We have written a separate post listing them. As you begin to read the account of Abraham may find even more.
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