Abraham Biblical Character Study

Scripture References

• Genesis 17-50
• Exodus 2-6, 32-33
• Leviticus 26:42
• Numbers 32.11
• Deuteronomy 1:8, 6:10, 9:5, 9:27, 29:13, 30:20, 34:4
• Joshua 24:2-3
• 1 Kings 18:36
• 2 Kings 13:23
• 1 Chronicles 1:27-34, 16:16, 29:18
• 2 Chronicles 20:7, 30:6
• Nehemiah 9:7
• Psalm 47:9, 105:6, 105:9,105:42
• Isaiah 29:22, 41:8, 51:2, 63:16
• Jeremiah 33:26
• Ezekiel 33:24
• Micah 7:20
• Matthew 1:1-2, 1:17, 3:9, 8:11, 22:32
• Mark 12:26
• Luke 1:55, 1:73, 3:8. 3:34, 13:16, 13:28, 16:22-30, 19:9, 20:37
• John 8:33-58
• Acts 3:13, 3:25, 7:2-32, 13:26
• Romans 4:1-18, 9:7-8, 11:1
• 2 Corinthians 11:22
• Galatians 3:6-4:22
• Hebrews 2:16, 6:13-15, 7:1-10, 11:8-19
• James 2:21-23
• 1 Peter 3:6

First Impression and Observations

Abraham's life really began with his covenant with the lord at the age of 99. He wasn't perfect but he was obedient. He was concerned with his descendants and what would come after him but was willing to sacrifice it all when asked to by the Lord. He was gracious to people and generous, which made people also be generous in return to him. He was honest and wasn't afraid to promise and hold himself to that promise. He argued with the Lord and reasoned with angels pleading with them. Abraham's life was so central to the covenant between God and His people the Israelites that he is used as an example throughout the rest of the bible of what it means to be righteous and deal fairly.

Outline of Life

1. At the age of 99, Abram is given the name Abraham by the Lord and chosen to become a great nation and blessed with a covenant.
2. Abraham is promised a son, Isaac, and pleads for his son Ishmael, and the Lord tells him Ishmael will be blessed too.  They were all circumcised that day.
3. He pleads for Sodom to not be destroyed if anyone righteous is found in it.
4. Abraham moved into the Negev, between Kadesh and Shur, lying that Sarah was his sister and Abimelek king of Gerar took her as his wife.
5. Abimelek hears from the Lord that she is married, Abraham explains that she technically is his sister, and they had a pact that they would say this.
6. Abimelek blesses them with 1000 shekels of silver and Abraham prayed for Abimelek and his household and they were healed and could have children again.
7. Sarah bore a son, Isaac, who was circumcised.  Ishmael mocked Isaac at a feast and Sarah and Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away.
8. He had a dispute over a well and made an agreement with Abimelek that it was his.  He called the place Beersheba.
9. Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
10. The Lord told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
11. Abraham prepared to do it, traveled to the place, and bound his son to do it.  But the angel of the Lord stopped him and provided him a ram to sacrifice.  He called that place "The Lord Will Provide."
12. The Lord promises him that all will be blessed through him because he obeyed the Lord.
13. He returned to Beersheba and his descendants greatly increased.
14. Sarah died in Canaan and Abraham mourned and bought and buried her in Ephron's field.
15. He made his servant swear not to get a Canaanite wife for his son, but to get a wife from his native land to his own relatives.
16. Abraham took another wife, Keturah, and had many more descendants through her.
17. He left everything he owned to Isaac and died at the age of 175.
18. He was buried next to his wife Sarah.
19. God blessed his son Isaac.

General Insights [Answers to Questions]

Questions to ask in a Biographical Character Study

Was he eager to do God’s will, willingly and without question?

I find it really interesting in Genesis 17-25 that Abraham not only disagrees with the Lord and pleads with Him but even laughs at Him when told Sarah will have a son. Throughout his life he becomes more and more willing to obey without question but that takes time. We have to have experience with God to build wisdom and tame our tongue. It is ok and even a good thing to argue with the Lord, plead with Him, and reason with Him about what He is saying, but in the end He wins, you only win by agreeing with Him.

Character Qualities Defined

• obedience - compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.
• fairness - impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination.
• righteousness - the quality of being morally right and justifiable.
• generosity - the quality of being kind and showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.
• honesty - the quality of being free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere.
• graciousness - courteous, kind and pleasant.

Bible Truths Illustrated in Life

1. We are saved by faith, not by works Romans 4:3 - Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness... And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
2. Our works reveal the genuineness of our faith James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 2:17 - So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Summary of Lessons Learned from Life

Patience in a trial: Abraham and Sarah's example of seeking the Lord when they couldn't have a child can instruct us and encourage us all. He will speak to you in His timing and not your timing.

God tests us: Even the things that God gives you can be cherished too much and He always want you to be willing to give them up for Him.

God fulfills His promises in Jesus: God is faithful and true and will always fulfill His promises. You can count on Him when you can't count on anything else.

Check out the rest of my Biblical Character Studies Here