Abraham's Faith Explained

In Romans 4 we learned that “Abraham was justified by faith!”  It was not circumcision that provided Christ’s Righteousness for him, but rather his faith.  Today we are going to look back to Genesis to learn a little more of Abraham’s faith.

We first must understand the background of Abraham.   Genesis 11 deals with the disobedience of mankind and their building the tower of Babel rather than spreading and filling the earth.  God judged man and gave them different languages that they might spread out.   We find Abraham living in Ur with his idolatrous family.  But God in His grace and mercy called Abram.

In Genesis 12 we see the call.  Genesis 12:1–3 (NKJV) ^1”Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. ²I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

Then in verse four we see Abram’s response. Genesis 12:4 (NKJV)

^“4So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”

Abraham was obedient!  He went as God had commanded.

In Chapter 14 we see Chedorlaomer as a Suzerain that has control over many of the surrounding kings and they are paying him tribute.  They finally rebel and he attacks taking Sodom and Gomorrah captive along with Lot and his family.  Abram grabs a couple of buddies and they go and they defeat the king and take back all of the people and goods.  In Genesis 14:19-20, Abram stops and gives tithes and worships through Melchizedek high priest of Salem.  

The king of Sodom asks for just the people and tells Abram to keep the goods.  Abram in their culture was being asked to become the new Suzerain.  The wanted him to protect them and they would pay tribute.  Abram refuses, he realizes that God almighty is to be the true Suzerain.  It is in this God that Abram trusts and will continue to trust and it is this God who he wants to receive the credit.  Genesis 14:22–23 (NKJV)  ²²But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, ²³that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—

Abram had already put his faith in God and was living to serve Him. In the next edition we will learn more of God’s response to Abram.