Abraham

Character Synopsis - Abraham

Abraham is an iconic character of many religions for all the same reasons. He was the father of many biblical offspring and started monotheism. Abraham is known for a number of stories throughout Genesis and even reflected back on when his ancestors are mentioned. But Abraham’s story starts in Mesopotamia. God calls on Abraham to travel to the Promised Land. Abraham was the chosen one for Israel. He then makes 3 promises to Abraham and all of his descendants. 1) The promise of land 2) The promise of an abundance of descendants and offspring and 3) The promise of blessing and redemption. These three promises help to make up the Abrahamic covenant. Though God promised all these things, Abraham at times had a hard time trusting in him fully. For one particular reason, Sarah his wife was barren. Abraham and Sarah tried but were unsuccessful many times. Thus

“However, Abraham has a bad habit of putting his family in peril.” Says Sarah Schetman from the article Abraham’s Family. There are many examples of this but the most recognizable story is the one of Isaac. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son. “God demands everything from Abraham because Abraham must recognize that he is not in control of the covenant relationship.” Ellen F. Davis explains that this is the reason God demanded such a morbid task. Abraham does what is asked of him and takes his only son Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah. Just before he is about to do the deed, God stops him and says, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Gen 22:12) Abraham knew that God was still the ultimate goal and was willing to give up the second most important thing to him. His family. This is what separates Abraham from most other