Study 3e : Abraham - Honored By God - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

Study 3e : Abraham - Honored By God

Today's study is the conclusion of our series on Abraham, the father of faith. In summary, Abraham was called out of Ur and Haran at the age of seventy-five when he did not have any child. Though he had an idolatrous background, in obedience to God, he left his homeland Ur, his kinsmen and his father's house to a place God was to show him. The bible says that he left by faith; not knowing where he was going.

God made covenant promises to Abraham at different times which were as follows:

• (a) 'I will make of thee a great nation' Genesis 12:1-4. Genesis 17:4
• (b) 'I will bless thee' Genesis 13:14-18 ; 15:18
• (c) 'I will make thy name great ' Genesis 12: 2, Genesis 17:6
• (d) 'And thou shall be a blessing' Genesis 12:2
• (e) 'I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee ' Genesis 12:3
• (f) ' In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed ' Genesis 12:3

When God gave Abraham all these covenant promises, whether in a favorable or adverse condition, Abraham absolutely trusted in the faithfulness of God and went ahead to meet the different conditions given by God for the fulfillment of these promises:

• (a) He had to leave his home country Ur.
• (b) He had to depart from his kinsmen.
• (c) He had to forsake his father's house in Haran.
• (d) He had to be circumcised in old age with his household. (Genesis 17:24)
• (e) He had to obediently put away the bond woman with her son Ishmael against his wish. (Genesis 21:14)
• (f) He had to willingly offer up Isaac to be sacrificed. (Genesis 22:2-6)

God conferred on Abraham timeless honor stretching through generation after generation because of obedience of faith.

• (a) He is made the exalted father of God's chosen nation, (Israel. John 8:37, Genesis 13:3-6). In a spiritual sense, he is the father of all men of faith whether Jew or Gentile. (Galatians 3:6-7,29)
• (b) In the three great world religions-Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Abraham is revered as one of the eminent men of all time.
• (c) At different times, Pharaoh of Egypt and Abimelech would have taken his wife but God supernaturally intervened. (Genesis 20:12-16) 'God blessed them that blessed him and cursed them that cursed him.' This has been fulfilled in the nation Israel through history. (Deuteronomy 30:7, Micah 5:7-9).
• (d) In the scriptures he is recognized as THE FRIEND OF GOD. (2 Chronicles 20:7) The Bible says: "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
• (e) Jesus mentioned Abraham many times in his discuss and used him as a symbol of our eternal home and eternal rest. (Luke 16:22)

The life and work of Abraham has spiritually and positively blessed and continues to bless generations after him by his personal example of faith. Today as we remember Abraham, we always thank God for the man of faith that he was. This goes to show that whatever we do, especially as believers, will either curse or bless generations after us. The challenge or big question before you is:

• Which type of foundation are you laying for the generation after you?
• Is it an evil or good one?
• Whenever they remember you, will they curse or bless you?

But God has given us a surer greater foundation than Abraham, and this is JESUS! He is the foundation for our salvation, the foundation for our day to day living, the foundation for our eternal home and eternal rest. We receive all these by faith like faithful Abraham. "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham..." - Galatians 3:7-9.

MEMORY VERSE: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:29

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