Bible character overview - Abraham
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Time to read 5 min
Introduction:
Welcome to an insightful character overview of Abraham. Here you'll learn about who Abraham was, what he did, and his strengths and weaknesses. Also, we have provided questions related to the story of Abraham to provoke thought. They can also be used for personal/small-group studies.
Who was Abraham from the Bible?
Key facts
- When: roughly around 2300 - 2100 B.C
- Where: Mesopotamia
- Name meaning: ‘High father’ or ‘father of a nation’
Glimpse: Abraham is the first patriarch of the faith. He is actually the patriarch of 3 different religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Abraham was a man full of obedience who received a great promise from God. However, Abraham had to prove himself and his obedience to God through a truly difficult event. Abraham's legacy has impacted the entire world and will do so for all time.
God's promise
At 75 years old, God called Abraham (formerly known as Abram), saying, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”.
So, Abraham set out from the land of Haran to Canaan with his wife Sarah (formerly known as Sarai) and his nephew Lot. When he arrived at a place called Shechem, God reaffirmed His promise, saying, “To your offspring I will give this land.”
Questions
→ When God speaks to us, why is it best to obey straight away?
→ What promises have we been given in scripture? Do you see these at work in your life?
" The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. "
Sarah's impatience
They traveled extensively, and eventually, Lot and Abraham had so many possessions and livestock that they could no longer live together. Consequently, they parted ways: Lot took the plains of Jordan, while Abraham settled in Canaan. God then promised this land to Abraham’s descendants. Later, Lot was captured during an attack, and Abraham came to his rescue, saving Lot, his relatives, and their possessions. After this, Abraham met Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed him, and Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of all his possessions. God continued to promise Abraham an offspring through whom a great nation would arise.
In Genesis 16, Sarah, growing impatient due to her old age and childlessness, gave her maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham. Hagar conceived, and the Lord said to her, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Later, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. He also promised a son through Sarah as the true fulfillment of His promise and covenant.
Questions
→ Have you ever struggled with doubt? Why do you think we doubt God?
→ Why is it important to be patient?
"Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.''
The visitation
One day, Abraham was visited by three angels, one of whom was the Lord Himself. During their visit, one of the angels announced that Sarah would give birth to a child within a year. Sarah, overhearing this, laughed to herself because she was well past the age of childbearing. However, a year later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac.
As Isaac grew into a young boy, God tested Abraham. He commanded in Genesis 22:2, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Abraham obeyed. The next morning, he prepared his donkey and set out with Isaac for Moriah. Upon reaching the place God had specified, Abraham bound Isaac on a pile of wood and took his knife to sacrifice him. Just before he could complete the act, God called out to Abraham, telling him to stop and that he had proven his fear of God. Isaac was spared, and a ram was provided as a substitute offering.
Abraham lived to an old age and eventually died, leaving all his belongings to Isaac. Thus, God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled, and his descendants became as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Questions
→ Why does God test us? How do you think you would have reacted in Abrahams's situation
→ What stands out to you in Abrahams story?
“ By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Strengths:
- Obedience: Abraham obeyed every word from God, even going to the extent of sacrificing his son which was ultimately stopped
- Faith: Abraham had great faith in God and trusted in Him fully
- Persistence: Abraham faced many trials but persisted and this persistence is even shown in Genesis 18 where he pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah
Weaknesses:
- Lying: Abraham lied several times about the identity of Sarah which got him into some sticky situations
Conclusion
We learn from Abraham that obedience and faith are key to our walk with Christ and are what align us with His will and allow us to see the fulfillment of His promises. We may go through times of testing and difficulty but we must persist knowing that God has a great plan for our lives and His promises are always yes and amen.
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''
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