Difference between revisions of "Abraham"

Revision as of 08:27, 4 April 2008

The story of Abraham is well-known to both Jews and Christians. In the book of Genesis we learn that he was the Son of Terah, born in Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11: 26-28). This was about 2000 years before Christ. Abraham, first called Abram, was called of God to leave his native country and go to a promised land which would be shown to him. With his family, including Lot, his nephew and his wife Sarai, he did undertake this long journey, through Haran, Canaan, Bethel and Egypt, and finally Hebron (Genesis 13: 18). Despite his nomadic life, he became very wealthy. He and Sariah were given an important promise, that they would have children to inherit their wealth and their divine blessings which had been bestowed by God.

More blessings and promises were given to Abram when God changed his name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. The sign of that promise, or covenant, was instituted in the practice of circumcision. Yet still Abraham and Sarah remained childless, despite the promise of descendants as numerous as the stars. Finally, when Abraham was 100 years old and his wife 90, their son Isaac was born. Because of their long wait for this promised son, the subsequent demand by God, that Isaac be sacrificed, was the ultimate test of Abraham’s faithfulness. Abraham did pass the test, and a providentially provided ram caught in the thicket was substituted for Isaac at the last moment (Genesis 22).

LDS scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants and in the book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price has provided additional light on this story of faith. From these sources we learn that Abraham himself was almost offered as a human sacrifice, making the story of Abraham and Isaac even more poignant. We learn of his ordination to the priesthood by Melchizedek, the great high priest (D&C 84:14; Abraham 1:2) and more of the great revelations given to him by Jehovah or Jesus Christ Himself.

The book of Abraham details some of the revelations Abraham was given about the stars and the planets, about the creation of the earth and the premortal life. As he contemplated the planetary system, he must have thought about his numerous descendants yet to be born. The promises of God concerning his family were far-reaching and significant. They included the promise that his posterity would be numerous (Genesis 17:5-6; Abraham 2:9, 3:14), that these people would receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and bear the priesthood of God (Abraham 2:9). Furthermore, through these descendants of Abraham, all the people of the earth would be blessed “with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal” (Abraham 2:11).

Just as the New Testament prophets have pointed out (Matthew 3: 9; Romans 9: 7), the greatest blessings of Abraham, through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, and continuing to this very day, as each new believer takes that same covenant upon him or her (3 Nephi 20:25-27), comes through Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. Being a descendant of Abraham is not enough in itself. The Abrahamic covenant is inherited by each of us as we follow the author of that covenant. Because of His great love for each person on this earth, Jesus presses His followers into service to others, in spreading the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that all may be saved through His great and last sacrifice, His resurrection and Atonement in our behalf.

External Links

• Old Testament prophets