Abram, the Father of the Faithful
God called Abram to leave his homeland and his kinfolk and go to a
land that He would show him. Thus began the bloodline of the Messiah.
Though details aren’t given, Abram had to leave the land of his birth
and early years. Surely, it wasn’t an easy decision, and no doubt he gave
up some earthly pleasure and conveniences to do it.
Read Genesis 12:1–3. How were “all the families of the earth . . .
blessed” as a result of this promise and its acceptance?
This was a major life-changing event for Abram and his family. “By
faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which
he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing
where he was going” (Heb. 11:8, NKJV). “Abraham’s unquestioning
obedience is one of the most striking evidences of faith to be found in
all the Bible.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 126.
Most of us would not be eager to leave our homeland and our friends
and family members. But Abram did so. Abram was satisfied to be
where God wanted him to be. As strange as this may seem, Abram,
Isaac, and Jacob never received that land in their lifetimes. Yet, they
remained faithful to God anyway.
Read Hebrews 11:8–13. What is the relevant message to us here?
Abram was known as a prince by those living around him. He was known
to be generous, brave, hospitable, and a servant of the Most High God. His
witness for God was exemplary. By the grace of God, we are heirs with
Abraham. “Just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness.’ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons
of Abraham” (Gal. 3:6, 7, NKJV). “And if you are Christ’s, then you are
Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29, NKJV).
With Abraham, as with Noah, we see someone making a major life-
changing decision as a result of obeying God.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:18. How should the message of this verse
impact the kind of spiritual decisions that we make? How did
both Moses and Abraham follow that same principle?
