What's so Great about Abraham?

Christians pray for the patience of Job and the faith of Abraham. But what was so great about Abraham's faith? He had his faithless moments, as we learned in chapter 11. He was, at times, apathetic about the will of God and self-reliant. What was it about this man that gained him the reputation of having such great faith?

First understand that when Abraham is referred to as the "father of our faith" it is not necessarily a reference to a degree of faithfulness he had obtained. There is another definition of faith used in the Bible - one which we did not deal with in chapter two. Faith can also mean a system of religious beliefs. Abraham was the "father of our faith" in the sense that he was the origin of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions.

These three look to Abraham as an important figure when they call him the father of their faith. Nevertheless, Abraham was a man of exemplary faith, the kind that means confidence in God.

Abraham was willing to leave the comfort of his native land when God called him to go. He was commended for this in Hebrews 11:8-10. The Bible says,

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

- Hebrews 11:8

Keep in mind that Abraham was a farmer. Farmers just don't up and move to a new place very easily. What he did took notable faith. Unlike modern day disciples, who move to a new location for jobs or better living conditions, his move was based purely on spiritual reasons. He moved because God wanted him to.

When was the last time you heard of someone making a decision to move because it was best for the kingdom? Nowadays changing locations is based on financial, physical or familial reasons. Believers hardly consider whether God wants them to make the move or not, whether there will be a strong church at the new location or whether their family will do well spiritually. The typical motivation for moving is follow the money and hope God will be there when you arrive. Abraham did not make his relocation based on worldly reasons. He walked by faith. Hebrews 11:10 says, "for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Abraham had great faith because he took God at His word.

Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

- Genesis 15:6

God said it. That settled it. The context for this verse is God promising him that his descendants would be numerous. Abraham believed even though he did not know how God was going to accomplish His promise. Abraham even tried to aid God in fulfilling His promise by impregnating Hagar. That was not at all what God had in mind. But he did not doubt that God would somehow do what He said He would do.

Abraham's faith was also great because of the way he passed his beliefs on to his children. He invested time in Isaac teaching him the ways of Jehovah. He was doing what God commanded him to do in Genesis 18:18.

"For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD..."

Those who strive to pass their faith on to their children show how deeply they care about both their children and their faith. Any father or mother who teaches their children to serve God faithfully exemplifies their own great faith.

Abraham also had the kind of faith that motivated him to intercede on behalf of others. When the Lord shared with him what He was planning to do to Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded for those people.

Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?

- Genesis 18:24

He bargained with God all the way down to ten righteous people.

Let me ask you a question and I want you to be truthful. Do you think you could honestly carry on a conversation like that with the Almighty? Most of us would have "lock-jaw," unable to utter a single word. Who, but Abraham, would have such rapport with the Lord he could have a discussion like this? Only a child of God with great faith could speak with God in such a way. His great faith allowed Abraham to have that kind of relationship with the Heavenly Father.

Because of his faith, Abraham was able to see many wonderful works of the Great "I AM". He witnessed the miraculous birth of his son Isaac - a child born when both he and Sarah were well past the age of childbearing. This happened because of his faith according to Hebrews 11:11-12. "By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore."

The ultimate test of Abraham's faith was when God told him to offer up his son, Isaac.

He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

- Genesis 22:2

This single event is the one which sealed his induction into the Hall of Faith. There was nothing on earth Abraham loved and cherished more than Isaac. God could not have given him a more difficult test, but Abraham passed the test. He did exactly as the Lord asked him to do, to the point that God had to stop his hand.

He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

- Genesis 22:12

When you are ready to give up your most prized possession just because God asks it of you, then you know your faith is great.

Abraham was not a perfect man. He struggled with doing the right thing just like we do, but he trusted God. Do you think this would be a good time for you to pray again? You could ask God to give you faith like Abraham. Abraham was blessed because he trusted Jehovah enough to follow His guidance. That is what faith is all about. Studying the faith of characters in the Bible like Abraham gives us a clearer understanding of what God expects of us. God truly does love you. He will recognize and reward your efforts to serve Him.