Lecture on the Life of Abraham

Introduction

• Terah is the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
• Haran dies in Ur of the Chaldeans.
• Abram's wife: Sarai (barren).
• Nahor's wife: Milkah (daughter of Haran).

Journey to Canaan

• Terah moves family to Haran; later dies there.
• God instructs Abram to go to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation.
• Abram, Sarai, Lot, and possessions set out for Canaan.

Abram in Canaan and Egypt

• Famine forces Abram to Egypt.
• Abram asks Sarai to say she is his sister; Pharaoh takes her but is inflicted by God.
• Pharaoh returns Sarai and sends Abram away with wealth.

Separation from Lot

• Abram and Lot's herdsmen quarrel due to lack of resources.
• They separate; Lot chooses fertile plains near Sodom.
• God promises Abram the land and numerous descendants.

The War of the Kings

• Kings rebel against Kedorlaomer and allies; Lot is captured.
• Abram rescues Lot with 318 trained men.

God's Covenant with Abram

• Abram is promised many descendants and land from Egypt to Euphrates.
• God foretells future enslavement of Abram's descendants.

Hagar and Ishmael

• Sarai gives Hagar to Abram to bear a child.
• Hagar flees due to mistreatment; told by an angel to return.
• Ishmael is born; Abram is 86.

Covenant of Circumcision

• God changes Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah.
• Promises a son, Isaac, through Sarah.
• Commands circumcision as a covenant sign.

Sodom and Gomorrah

• Three visitors predict Sarah's pregnancy; she laughs.
• God plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Abraham negotiates with God to spare the righteous.
• Lot's family escapes; his wife becomes a pillar of salt.

Birth of Isaac

• Sarah births Isaac, fulfilling God's promise.
• Hagar and Ishmael are sent away but promised a nation.

Abraham's Test of Faith

• God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac.
• An angel intervenes, and a ram is provided.
• The place is named "The Lord Will Provide."

Sarah’s Death and Burial

• Sarah dies at 127; Abraham buys a burial site.
• Ephron the Hittite sells Abraham the cave of Machpelah.

Isaac and Rebekah

• Servant sent to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham's kin.
• Rebekah chosen after a sign at the well.
• Isaac marries Rebekah and is comforted after Sarah's death.

Abraham's Later Life

• Marries Keturah; has six more sons.
• Dies at 175; buried in Machpelah.
• Son Isaac continues the covenant.

Ishmael's Lineage

• Ishmael has 12 sons, forming 12 tribes.
• Dies at 137; descendants live in hostility.

Isaac's Sons: Esau and Jacob

• Rebekah bears twins, Esau and Jacob.
• Esau, a hunter; Jacob, dwelling in tents.
• Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for stew.