Introduction

Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, revered as the patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. His life and faith journey are chronicled primarily in the Book of Genesis. Abraham's account is foundational to understanding God's covenantal relationship with His people and serves as a model of faith and obedience.

Divine Call and Promise

Abraham's promotion begins with a divine call from God, which sets the stage for his role as the father of many nations. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God commands Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father's household to go to a land that He will show him. God promises to make Abram into a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great. This call marks the beginning of a covenant relationship, with God promising, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you."

Covenant and Name Change

The promotion of Abram to Abraham is further solidified through the covenant God establishes with him. In Genesis 17:1-5 , God appears to Abram when he is ninety-nine years old and reaffirms His covenant, changing Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations." God declares, "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you." This name change signifies a new identity and a divine promise of progeny and land.

Test of Faith

Abraham's faith is tested in several key events, demonstrating his trust in God's promises. One of the most significant tests occurs in Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in this heart-wrenching command, exemplifies his unwavering faith. In Genesis 22:12 , God intervenes, saying, "Do not lay a hand on the boy... Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your only son from Me." This act of faith further cements Abraham's role as a model of obedience and trust in God's provision.

Intercession and Influence

Abraham's promotion is also evident in his role as an intercessor. In Genesis 18, Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah if righteous people can be found there. His bold intercession reflects his intimate relationship with God and his concern for justice and mercy. This episode highlights Abraham's influence and the weight of his relationship with God, as he negotiates on behalf of others.

Legacy and Fulfillment

Abraham's promotion is ultimately fulfilled through the lineage that leads to the nation of Israel and, by extension, to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:29 , emphasizes that those who belong to Christ are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Abraham's faith and obedience have a lasting impact, as he is considered the spiritual father of all who believe.

Conclusion

Abraham's life is a testament to the transformative power of God's call and the blessings that flow from faith and obedience. His promotion from a nomadic herdsman to the patriarch of a multitude of nations underscores the profound impact of divine promise and covenant. Through Abraham, God's plan for redemption and blessing to all nations is set in motion, making him a pivotal figure in biblical history.Genesis 12:2
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing:
Nave's Topical Index

Texts Explained; and First...
... work to shew for it, then having gained it from virtue and promotion, with reason ...
another by nature, is a real offspring, as Isaac was to Abraham, and Joseph ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xi texts explained and first.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... is in the twelfth chapter, where we are told of Abraham's visit there. ... The beautiful
illustration sets this sudden and splendid promotion before us"the honor ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Galatians Chapter iv.
... They are these; deliverance from the curse of the Law, and promotion to sonship. ...
100] for the promise was of old time made for these objects to Abraham, as the ...
/.../galatians chapter iv.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... As manifested by Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, all of whom had the pleasure of the Lord
resting on them in a pre ... Translation means promotion, and also expansion. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

Whether to Tempt is Proper to the Devil?
... For God is said to tempt, according to Gn.22:1, "God tempted Abraham." Moreover
man ... a man he is as to knowledge, or virtue, with a view to his promotion; a bad ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to tempt is proper.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.23 Are they ministers of Christ? ... The
ministry is ordained to have as its aim the glory of God and its promotion. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

Atonement.
... expressly nor impliedly given a pledge to do anything more for the promotion of
virtue ... the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

Letter Lxxviii. (AD 404. )
... But when he was labouring most earnestly to obtain promotion to the rank of the ... every
hardship and indignity until he should come to rest in Abraham's bosom. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxviii a d 404.htm

Christian Graces.
... Thus Abraham's hope wrought by his weakness. ... met with Elijah, he gave him no worldly
and fantastical compliment, nor did he glory in his promotion by Ahab the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
... The spiritual blessings promised to Abraham and to his seed"even to all the ...
sinners"even complete conformity to the will of God, and the promotion of His ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter v covenanting confers obligation.htm

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