Study 3a: Abraham The Godly Family Man - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

Abraham was called by God from an idolatrous background to be separated from his father's house, his kinsmen and his country to a place He would show him. Thereafter, he became totally committed to Jehovah in faith, obedience, worship and service. His devotion to God was such that resulted in a godly influence on his household.

After Abraham's call, his life started being guided by divine revelation. We are called unto God from sin through the preaching of the gospel. After we are saved, it is the Spirit and the Word of God that should guide our lives to the end - that is the written word, the spoken word and the revealed word. Abraham came to the land of Canaan by the word of the Lord.

The Bible says: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came." - Genesis 12:1-5.

From then on he started the worship of Jehovah and continued with his household throughout the remaining part of his life. Anywhere he pitched his tent; he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord:

• (a) Between the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim
• (b) In the mountain district between Bethel and Ai
• (c) Returns from Egypt to reestablish the worship of Jehovah.

Abraham did all these because he was determined not to go back to the idolatry background from which God had called and saved him. (Joshua 24:1-3, Genesis 24:17-20). We must equally be determined not to go back to our old sinful ways after God has called and saved us. (Ephesians 5:1-8)

Abraham did not serve God in isolation from members of his household. When God called him to get out of Haran, he went in obedience taking his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. Each time he built an altar, he often led his household in the worship of God. Hear God's testimony of Abraham: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." - Genesis 18:19.

The extent of his godly influence on his household can be clearly noticed as the chief steward of his household

Eliezer, prayed for divine guidance as he went to seek a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son. The Bible says: "And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham." - Genesis 24:12, Proverbs 3:5, Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Abraham's response to divine revelation resulted in an intimate relationship between him and God. Through the altar she erected at various places of residence, he gave public witness to the fact that he was totally committed to the worship of God in the mist of an idolatrous people. Progressively his knowledge of God increased and so he always cast all his cares on the Lord. The Bible says: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." -1 Peter 5:7 (Genesis 15: l-6, Philippians 4:6) The depth of Abraham's spiritual life was such that he knew about angels and angels ministered to him. (Genesis 24:7, Genesis 18: l-2, 19:1) God protected his interest and also named him a prophet. The Bible says: ‘Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine." - Genesis 20:7. His relationship with God was so unique that in the setting of scripture he has been described as THE FRIEND OF GOD! "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." - James 2:23 (Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7).

As a man of prayer, he did not only pray for himself, he interceded for those who were in need and difficult conditions (Genesis 17:18; 18:23-33).In those ancient days he prayed for Abimelech's household to be healed. The Bible says: "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife." - Genesis 20:17-18

Abraham faithfully paid his tithe to Melchizedek-king of Salem, "priest of the most high God" who brought him refreshments and blessed him in the name of the most high God. Genesis 14:17-20. He knew that his blessing was of God and not of man. (Genesis 14:17-24).

The lesson we can learn from the spiritual life of Abraham as a godly family man is great. Hence the challenges we have before us today is like Abraham. The question is that; are we living a godly life? Are we imparting a godly influence on members of our household? Let answer this question to ourselves before God.

Memory Verse: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1Timothy 4:12

© 2007 BLISS & FIRE NETWORK

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