One day Abram was just minding his own business (whatever that might be), and God told him to leave his family and home. And he said, "Heck naw! I'm staying right here." Actually, no. He said yes. He was probably quite comfortable in his home, with his wife and nephew. And it's not like he was a young guy. "Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran." (Genesis 11:4b NIV) Imagine that. So he left, old man that he was, with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. God promised Abram that his descendants would have Canaan, which said a lot (heh heh, sorry, bad pun), because Abram didn't have a son. Okay, God.
Quite a but later, Abram is ninety-nine and he and Lot separated a while ago. God shows up and says that Abram is now to be called Abraham and Sarai, Sarah (fabulous name). He also says that they are going to have a son and they are to call him Isaac (file under "God naming people's sons"). Well Abraham thought this was ridiculous. But God assured him that it was true. A few days, weeks, or maybe months later (it didn't say), Abraham received three visitors and he of course was very hospitable to them. One of them said that Sarah would give birth soon. She heard and laughed. God must have been taken aback by this, because he asked her why. She got nervous so she lied and said that she didn't laugh. God got real sassy, and said "Yes, you did laugh." And that section ends there. Because no one messes with God.
God keeps His promises, and soon Sarah did have a son and he was named Isaac just like God told them to. Years go by, and Abraham's faith gets tested to the max. God tells him to sacrifice Isaac (don't try this at home, kids). Wow. You told him that through his son there would be a huge nation, and then You tell him to kill that son? The crazier thing is that Abraham agreed. So the next morning they go up to a mountain and Abraham sets up an altar. He is just about to sacrifice Isaac when God tells him to stop. He says that He was just testing Abraham's faith, and He provided a ram for them to sacrifice instead.
Abraham was incredible. Would you sacrifice someone you love because God told you to? I honestly don't think I could. Abraham might be a bit overlooked in Christianity, although he means so much to the Israelites. His life shows that God keeps His promises and that if you keep believing God's favour will be on you. God made so many promises to the Israelites and they held on to them whenever they were in trouble. We can learn so much from this individual's life. He had such a willingness to obey God and God made a difference through him because of it.
So that's all for now, I should have another post Wednesday. Thanks so much! You are all amazing people and I'm unbelievably lucky to know you!
Sarah
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