The call of Abraham
Abram was a son of Torah, who lived in the city of Ur in
Babylonia. He was a wealthy person with many domestic animals and slaves as
well; married to a beautiful but barren woman named Sarai.
He left his native land, his relatives and the father's
home and went to a strange land he was shown. Besides, he abandoned his
traditional beliefs in many gods (the gods of the moon, stars and the sun) and
started worshipping God. Most importantly, he was blessed with a son named
Isaac.
Reasons for the
call of Abraham
(The Relationship
between the Call of Abraham and the Fall of Man in Genesis 3)
God wanted to reconcile with the sinful human beings for
from Genesis 3 -11, man had created a gap between themselves and God through
constant sinning.
God wanted to bring salvation of mankind. He hated to see
them remain in their fallen state associated with suffering.
Besides, God intended to use Abram as a means of
restoring His image on mankind following their fall which had seen them lose it
all.
God wanted to re-establish monotheism among human beings
through Abraham who instantly abandoned his traditional gods and started
worshipping Him upon being called. In Genesis 3, man had worshipped an earthly
creature, the snake.
He wanted to enter into a new covenant relationship with
Abraham purposely to begin afresh with human beings since they had earlier on
betrayed him.
God wanted to show His love for the fallen man through
Abraham. They had lost His love by disobeying His commands. Therefore, He
intended to prove that He still loved them.
God wanted to establish a model nation whose people would
be His own. He proved this by promising Abraham many descendants who later
became known as the Israelites, His chosen and special people.
God wanted to restore man's obedience and faith, which
they had lost by eating the forbidden fruit. Abraham proved this by responding
to His call with obedience and faith.
It was also purposely to prove that God could use anybody
irrespective of his or her background. He used Abraham who worshipped many gods
to begin the salvation process of mankind.
God intended to remove and save Abraham from sinfulness
as he went on to command him to leave his native land for a strange place he
was to be shown.
He wanted to bless mankind once again because He had
withdrawn His blessings from the first human beings after their acts of
disobedience. Evidently, He promised to bless Abraham with many descendants
among others.
God wanted to restore harmony in human relationship with
Him and among human beings for from Genesis 3-11, there had been disharmony.
The call of Abraham was an act of forgiveness. God
intended to show that He had forgiven the sinful man and was now willing to
start all over again with them.
By calling Abraham, God wanted to establish His kingdom
permanently here on earth. This would bring Him closer to the people.
Revision
Questions
1.
Account for the call of Abraham in
Genesis 12
2.
Justify God's appearance to Abraham in
Genesis 17
3.
Discuss the relationship between the
call of Abraham in Genesis 12 and the fall of man in Genesis 3