Faith of Abraham: Disciple Lessons from the Patriarch of Genesis

Sarah dies at the age of 127 in Hebron. Abraham purchases a burial plot from Hittites at Machpelah, the only property he owns in the land God has promised to his descendents. Abraham takes another wife, Keturah, who bears him six more sons. Abraham dies at age 175 years and is buried by Isaac and Ishmael at Machpelah.

Abraham takes Isaac to sacrifice him to the Lord on Mt. Moriah. God provides a sacrifice and Abraham calls him Jehovah-Jireh, the God Who Provides. God renews his promise to Abraham once again.

Isaac is born as promised. Though Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, God provides for them and renews his promise to Ishmael. Abraham moves to Beersheba and calls on the name of the Lord.

Here are important lessons for disciples trying to live to close to the line between righteousness and unrighteousness.

Three visitors make promises to Abraham of a son to be born to Sarah next year about this time -- though Sarah overhears it and laughs. Abraham intercedes with one of the angels for the deliverance of Sodom and Gomorrah where his nephew Lot is living.

Abraham's and Sarah's names are changed and God's promises to them confirmed and Abraham circumcises those in his household.

Abraham has a son by Sarah's servant Hagar. When Ishmael is born, Hagar receives promises of God's blessing on Ishmael, patriarch of the Arab tribes and Islam's tie to Ibrahim (Genesis 17:19-20).

Abraham has a vision from God in which his call is renewed and the promise spelled out more clearly. Abraham's belief in the Lord is reckoned to him as righteousness.

Abraham's promise to Abraham is renewed, even though he doesn't get choice land like Lot. Lot is enslaved but he is rescued by uncle Abraham's private army. Abraham tithes to Melchizedek, one of his allies in the battle -- and a type of Christ.

Famine strikes and they move to Egypt, where Sarah is abducted and Abraham deceives to save his own live. But God delivers Sarah and honors Abraham.