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The Life Of Abraham: Introduction

August 17, 2008

God’s friend
Isaiah 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Abraham lived in Ur of the Chaldees
Genesis 11:27-28 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. 28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.  
 
Abraham is our example
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [pattern or types]: and they are written for our admonition [instruction, warning], upon whom the ends of the world are come.  12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
 
His biography was written for our instruction
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
 
Abraham – the father of the faithful
Romans 4:11 And he [Abraham v.9] received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe  [present, active], though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
 
Abraham’s walk sets a pattern for Christians
Romans 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
 
Those who are of faith are Abraham’s children
Galatians 3:7 Know ye [in the churches of Galatia] therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
 
Abraham’s hope is now the Christian hope
Acts 26:6-7 And now I [Paul, a Christian] stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers [Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the patriarchs 1Chron.29:18]: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 
 
God preached the gospel to Abraham
Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
 
What is the gospel?
Acts 8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching the gospel, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
 
Jesus came to proclaim the promises made to Abraham
Luke 4:43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."
 
And to confirm them
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers [Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob]:
 
Abraham’s father Terah was an idolater
Joshua 24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
 
Abraham’s brothers
Genesis 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
 
Abraham married Sarah, his half sister
Genesis 20:12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
 

Chronology of Abraham's life

Event

Age

Scripture Ref.

Born in Ur

0

11:27, 32; 12:4

Departs from Haran

75

12:4

Sojourn in Egypt during famine

 

12:10-20

Rescue of Lot from Macedonian Kings

 

14:1-24

Marriage to Hagar

85

16:3

Birth of Ishmael

86

16:16

Reaffirmation of covenant

99

17:1

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

99

19:24

Sojourn in Gerar

99

20:1-18

Birth of Isaac

100

21:2; cf. 21:5

Offering of Isaac

 

22:1-19

Death of Sarah

137

23:1-2; cf. 17:17

Marriage of Isaac to Rebekah

140

25:20

Birth of Jacob and Esau

160

25:26

Death of Abraham

175

25:7