God calls Abraham to make a great nation

God call’s for Abraham to…

Leave his country Leave his kinsfolk Leave his father’s house

God promise to Abraham Make him a great nation Give him numerous descendants Make him a great name and a blessing to others

Land: God promised to give Abraham a vast amount of land, the boundaries of which are promised to make Abraham a great nation

Kingdom: God promised to make Abraham a great nation

Blessing: God promised that, in Abraham’s seed, all nations of the earth will be blessed

Why God shows Abraham to be the father of many nation?

Abraham is a man of faith He believes and obeys even if, to him,

promises seems unattainable

Why did God enter into a covenant with Abraham?

God wants to save the people of the world

He gives people an opportunity to gain salvation

Rite of circumcisionRite of initiation: Baptism (Christianity; Trinitarian Formula)

Major incidents in the life of Abraham

God call and blesses Abraham and he moves west into Canaan

Abraham risks the promise of a son by taking Hagar to bear Ishmael

Abraham shows his blessing by interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah

God gives the blessing of a sin, Isaac, and sends Ishmael away

Abraham sacrifice Isaac in Obedience to God

Things that Abraham would lose if he disobeys God

Descendants Promise of nation Sense of generativity

Abraham was tested by God To sacrifice his only son, Isaac

a) Promised son/childb) Descendantsc) Sense of generativity (desire to be

remembered)

Silence of Abraham

Obedience (less compliant)

Preparation

Rising early (excitement) Wood + fire (willingness) Brought along companions (sense of security)

• Symbolic for God’s intervention

Angel

• Courageous, determined, confidence

Abraham

• Fulfillment of promise

Reward

Summary

God calls certain individuals life the patriarchs to offer his saving plan for all

God’s salvation is for free Our response to God’s salvation is faith God called Abraham to bring about

salvation not only to his descendants, but for many

Abraham is blessed to be called our father in faith