Many people know that Abraham was an important character in the Old Testament.
He became the father of a nation, and his faithfulness and obedience made him a key figure in salvation history. In this article, we will find out why God chose Abraham for this role.
What Does The Bible About The Call of Abraham?
The call of Abraham is recorded in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 12:1-3, God said to Abraham, «Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.»
These words show how much important position God gave to Abraham, it was a part of God’s plan for salvation.
Abraham’s Faith to God
Abraham’s faith is shown in several parts of the Bible. Genesis 15:6 says, «Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.»
This verse shows that Abraham’s faith wasn’t just a mental acknowledgment of God’s existence but a complete trust in God’s promises. Saint Paul speaks about this verse in Romans 4:3, saying, “What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”
Abraham’s faith was also tested when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Hebrews 11:17-19 shows Abraham’s faith at that moment saying, «By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.»
God informed Abraham that He didn’t need such sacrifices, but by doing so He saw all the devotion and faith of Abraham. Abraham’s obedience and willingness to sacrifice his son demonstrated his trust in God, even in the face of extreme difficulty.
Saint Ambrose of Milan wrote, «By obedience Abraham merited to be called the father of all nations.» His obedience to God’s call made him a model of faith for future generations.
Read Also: Did Moses Go to Heaven?
Why Did God Choose Specifically Him?
God chose Abraham because of his role in God’s plan for salvation. In Galatians 3:8, Paul writes, «The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you.» God wanted to bring salvation to all people in the future, not just the Israelites.
Saint John Chrysostom also recognized Abraham’s role in the salvation of people. The saint wrote, «This one man was chosen as a mediator between God and men. For through him the human race was reconciled to God, and the curse of sin was taken away».
Trust in God
God chose Abraham because his faith was demonstrated through his trust in God’s promises and his willingness to obey even in difficult circumstances.
Abraham’s faith wasn’t unnoticed by God. God rewarded him for his trust.
In Genesis 22:16-18, God said to Abraham, «I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.»
Abraham became the father of a nation through who all nations would be blessed. Through Abraham’s descendants, including Jesus Christ, the salvation of the world was accomplished.
Abraham’s story is a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with God.
As James writes, «You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did» (James 2:22).
Like Abraham, we are called to trust in God’s promises and obey his commands, even when it may be difficult or uncomfortable.
The choice of Abraham also shows that God’s plan for salvation isn’t limited to a specific race or ethnicity. Paul writes about it «There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus» (Galatians 3:28).
You May Also Like: Are Adam and Eve in Heaven?
The Plan For Salvation
God’s plan for salvation exists for all people, and Abraham’s role in this plan serves as a reminder of this truth.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa writes, «The faith of Abraham was the beginning and the root of all blessings, and therefore he was considered worthy to be called the friend of God». Abraham’s relations with God were based on his faith and obedience, and we also can get a close relationship with God by following his example.
Abraham was open to God’s call and it is good guidance in our lives. Like Abraham, we may be called to leave our comfort zones.
Saint Augustine writes «If we believe and obey, we shall be as Abraham, the father of many nations» Many Church Fathers ask us to be like Abraham, always trust God and have a strong faith.
Paul writes about Abraham in Romans 4:20-22, «Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’»
Abraham’s trust in God’s promises, even in the face of impossible situations, was the main reason for his righteous life.
Saint Augustine of Hippo also writes about the importance of the faith of Abraham: «The grace of the divine choice was not given to him who was first born in the flesh, but to him who was first born in faith»
Saint Cyril of Alexandria writes about why God chose Abraham: «God, who is outside time, did not choose Abraham because he foreknew he would be good, but rather made him good because he had chosen him» That is, God also had his own plans and knew that Abraham had every opportunity to reach a high spiritual state.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
Final Thoughts
God chose Abraham because of his special love for God, strong faith, and obedience.
Abraham was ready to do anything for God, and it was the type of man who could become the father of the nation.
God had a plan that could be carried out with the help of Abraham. As a result, Abraham didn’t let God down, proved his devotion, and was greatly rewarded.
Charalampos
Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
