Abraham’s trust in God
Hebrew patriarch Abram was a preeminent example of faith in God. His story, predating nearly every other biblical account, set an enduring precedent for an entire nation—and for centuries of worshipers.
Genesis 12 opens with the divine directive to Abram to depart from family, home, and country. He accepted this sweeping demand for allegiance to God without question. And his obedience continued through famine, childlessness, and family conflict. A compelling example was his willingness to sacrifice his treasured son at God’s command, a command God revoked when his absolute trust became clear (see Genesis 22:1–14).
God’s promise to Abram of land and descendants was seen as a sacred covenant. During one reiteration of this covenant, God announces that Abram’s name is to be changed to Abraham—an indication of the transformation he is to undergo (see Genesis 17:1–8).
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