Bible Studies

Lessons from Abraham

by Dudley Harris
01/17/16
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The Story of Abraham

I know most that read this are familiar with the story of Abraham in the Bible. If not, you can read it in Genesis 12-23. This is not a treatise on the story of Abraham, but there are certain aspects of the story I want to mention. I believe there are things that each of us can glean from Abraham as we walk out the plan of God for our lives.

When we first encounter the man we call Abraham, his name was actually Abram. (Genesis 12) God saw something in Abram that He would use to bring salvation to the earth, and it would start with Abram.

The first command given to Abram was to separate himself from his family and travel to another land that God would show to him. Abram disobeyed the Lord’s command by taking Lot with him. Even though Abram was blessed, he did receive any more instruction from the Lord until Abram and Lot parted company.

As soon as Lot had departed from Abram the Lord came to Abram and said, “Look to the North, South, East, and West. All the land you see is yours. Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.” (Genesis 13)

When the Lord visited Abram again, Abram spoke of Eliezer, a member of his household, being his heir. The Lord corrected him by saying, “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”

The Lord then instructed Abram to go outside and look up at the stars. The Lord said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15) That night God made a covenant with Abram.

Ten more years passed and no child was given. Sarai came up with a plan to allow her handmaid to have a child, a surrogate as it were, and Abram agreed. Ishmael was born.

When Abram was ninety-nine the Lord appeared to him again. This time the Lord changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Abram means, “high father.” Abraham means, “father of a multitude.” Abram had become a father, but God made more room (for a multitude) in his life be changing his name. God made a new covenant with Abraham; one of blood. The first covenant involved the shedding of blood of the animals. This covenant required the shedding of Abraham’s own blood through circumcision. (Genesis 17)

The Lord changed Sarai’s name as well. Sarai, which means “dominative” was changed to Sarah, which means “mistress.” Sarah became a wife to Abraham. She gives birth to Isaac, the heir of Abraham. The blessing God promised finally came.

Here’s the summary of things to observe from this story.

1. Always follow the instructions from the Lord; nothing more, nothing less.

            Don’t take Lot with you if the Lord says, “Leave your family.”

2. Don’t try to help fulfill God’s plan for your life by choosing an heir other than the one God intended.

            Eliezer and Ishmael have no place in the plans God has.

3. Do not settle for anything less than what Jesus paid for by His blood shed for you.

            The blood covenant is the one that brings the promise.

All of these things I have seen before, and have taught in previous lessons on the life of Abraham. However, I saw something new today. The first illustration that God used to help Abraham see the size of the vision was to have him consider the “dust of the earth.” Even though the dust of the earth is quite large, it is countable, because the earth is finite. It would take a momentous effort, but it is theoretically possible to count the dust in the earth. Even God indicated that it could be done!

But the second picture the Lord gave Abraham was to look into the heavens. Try to count the stars. You cannot because they are still being made. They are infinite. You can count dust, but you can’t count stars. God brought Abraham from the place of thinking he could accomplish God’s vision by human effort, to the place of faith in knowing that God Himself would have to complete the vision.

There is the place each of us has to get in order to see God’s dream fulfilled in our lives. Let God change our name to make room for what He wants to do.