By Barbara Buzzard
Let’s explore a bit more about Abraham – one of the Heroes of the Hall of Faith which Sarah told us about. There is no app for Abraham. There is no computer link I can direct you to – and yet we are linked to him in the most important way ever. Even if we are not direct blood descendants – we are linked to him. Why? Because we believe what he believed. We are linked to him in this way: “So you see, those who believe are the descendants (children) of Abraham.” (Gal. 3:7). The real children of Abraham are the ones who believe as Abraham did and put their faith in God.
Why is this man so fascinating? He is mentioned 75 times just in the NT. One reason is that his Father was an idol worshipper and apparently Abraham himself may have been an idol worshipper (Josh. 24:2b). This meant than an enormous change had to happen in Abraham’s life – a complete change of thought and belief and obedience.
This also tells us that Abraham had not known the One true God before God spoke to him. His people worshipped the sun, moon and stars. Remember this important fact – Abraham never went to Sunday School!Although he probably knew about the vast flood that had taken place –Abraham hadn’t been taught about Noah and the flood and the God Who saved them. The main god in Abraham’s city – Ur of the Chaldees wasNanna – the moon god who was thought to be in charge of the heavens. The people worshipped him and they also worshipped the moon itself– praying to and giving offerings to the moon to receive its blessing. That was Abraham’s background.
So when God actually spoke to Abraham –along with his very great surprise – he might at first have wondered if this God was an idol. But not for long. The living Almighty God was powerful beyond anything anyone had ever imagined that their idols could do. What was God’s attitude toward idols? “I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars so you will never again worship the work of your own hands.” (Micah 5:13).
Another reason that Abraham is so fascinating is that it was said of himthat he was a friend of God. No one else is called that in the Bible. Three times Abraham is called a friend of God. (2 Chron. 20:7, James 2:23, Isa. 41:8). That is incredibly high praise! Once God had identified Himself to Abraham – Abraham was totally 100% faithful. When God told him to move to a place he didn’t know – Abraham did not hesitate.There is quite an opportunity for humor here if you use your imagination. Just picture Abraham announcing to his wife Sarah that they were going to move. “Where to?” she may have said and he might have replied – “I don’t know.”
“How far away?” asks Sarah. “I don’t know” says Abraham. Sarah – “but I like it here. Why do we have to move?” Abraham – “because God told me to.” Sarah – “will we be coming back?” Abraham – “it doesn’t sound like it.” (All imagined, of course.)
God loves to surprise us! When God promised Abraham a son even though Abraham was very elderly and as good as dead – Abraham believed God.
And when it didn’t seem to be happening – he still believed God – which leads us to the very famous verse which says that Abraham believed God and that was accounted to him – chalked up to him – he scored many points for this as righteousness or goodness. (Gal. 3:6). In verse seven we are told that the real children of Abraham are those who put their faith in God – as Abraham did.
Another fascinating fact about Abraham:.
This is a question we are sometimes asked: Was Abraham a Christian?
Here is a timeline to allow you to see the distance between Abraham and Jesus.
But this alone won’t answer the question.
Since Jesus was born so many years after Abraham – even though Abrahamwas called worthy and good and a friend of God – how could he be called a Christian? How could he be a Christian before Christ?
There is a wonderful verse which will supply the answer to our question – was Abraham a Christian?
Let’s read a passage that will answer the question (And to make it really simple – I am going to leave out a few words so as to emphasize other. There is one long word – but it is very easy – the word- beforehand. If your mother says that she is making snacks for a party but you are not to have any beforehand – you will know what it means.)–‘“Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,”’ so you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. And the Scripture, … declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham… For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.” (Gal. 3:6-9)
Will Abraham be in the Kingdom of God? Of course – he will. He is the father of the faithful. You could put it this way – Abraham was a Christian before Christ.
And the key to this is that Abraham believed God.
And we have confirmation very clearly. These are Jesus’ words: “Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” (John8:56) Jesus is simply telling us that the Gospel – the good news of Jesus’ second coming and bringing with him the Kingdom HAD been preached to Abraham. And Abraham HAD believed it. God had promised this good news to Abraham long ago.
Remember when I told you that only Abraham was called a friend of God? I held something back – some very good news. Jesus said to his disciples in John 15:15 – “I have called you friends.” This was a very special thing to say – Jesus said it on the night before he died. And this links us to Abraham as well. It is the highest honor, the greatest thing we could be called. As we model and imitate Jesus and his disciples – we are his friends. We must walk worthy of this great honor!
