The story of Abraham is a study of faith and male leadership in the family. At Genesis 18:19, we read, “For I [the Lord] have chosen him [Abraham], so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him [meaning that Abraham would receive blessing from God and be a source of blessing to the world].” The “way of the Lord” is a modus operandi based on a set of values, principles, and beliefs derived from the Word of God. Every Christian husband and father is required to command his household to keep “the way of the Lord” and to guard “shalom.”
As we discussed in “Abraham, Lesson 1,” those living in the ancient world commonly found their identity in their family, clan, or city. However, we, like Abraham, should primarily find our identity in God. The Lord told Abraham to leave his country, relatives, and his father’s household and trust in the Lord. In our spiritual journey, we are required to do the same. We are not necessarily required to physically separate from our families, but we are required to have a reorientation of values. Pleasing God must be our highest value. If we obediently pursue this new journey of faith, God has promised to bless us and make us a blessing to others.
Abraham was a nomadic herder of livestock, but I suspect that he also built up his wealth in commercial trade. In Abraham’s journey from Mesopotamia to Haran and then to Egypt, he was able to learn about and understand the important trade routes between the two most prosperous areas of the world – Mesopotamia and the Nile River Valley. This area of the world is often referred to as the Fertile Crescent. At Genesis 24:35, Abraham was described as being rich in flocks, herds, silver, and gold.
At Genesis 13:6, we learn that Abraham and his nephew, Lot, both became so prosperous that it became impracticable for them to continue to journey together. They were no longer able to share the same grazing lands and water sources. In fact, the herdsmen of Abraham’s livestock began to quarrel with the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. As pastoral nomads, the only answer was separation. As we will see in the story of Abraham and his progeny, occasional separation is one of the reoccurring themes in Genesis. We humans do not like the suffering and pain associated with separation, but sometimes, God wills our separation from others.
Abraham told his nephew, Lot: “Is the entire land not before you? Please separate from me; if you choose the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left” (Gen. 13:9). A person of high character seeks to do a right thing in a right way, as unto the Lord. Even though Abraham was older, wealthier, and more powerful than Lot, Abraham did not seek to bully his younger nephew. Abraham let Lot have the first choice. Abraham wanted to maintain good relations with the members of his family. Abraham loved Lot. However, it just so happened that Lot chose poorly. Lot chose to live in proximity to Sodom and Gomorrah, cities that were full of exceedingly wicked people. Who we choose to associate with matters and can impact our lives positively or negatively.
Some time later, the kings of Shinar, Ellaser, Elam, and Goiim invaded Sodom and Gomorrah. They were led by King Chedorlaomer, king of Elam (Gen. 14:1-10). The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and Lot’s family was taken captive, along with many others. By this time, Abraham was a powerful sheik, and he could have concluded that his nephew got what he deserved when he settled in the vicinity of such wicked people. But Abraham was willing to risk everything to rescue his nephew, Lot. At Genesis 14:14, we read, “When Abraham heard that his relative had been taken captive, he [Abraham] led out his trained men, born in his house, numbering 318, and went in pursuit [of the invading kings]….” Then, Abraham “divided his forces against them by night” and “defeated them” (Gen. 14:15).
To lead a force of 318 men, and then divide them and lead a night attack and defeat a numerically superior force is evidence that Abraham was an exceptional and dynamic leader. Thereafter, we read, “He [Abraham] brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the other people” (Gen. 14:16). We normally do not want to use force and violence, but sometimes, we must be prepared to use force and violence in order to protect family and nation.
After Abraham’s victory over the invading kings, Abraham had a fascinating meeting and encounter with Melchizedek, who was king of Salem (later, Jerusalem, the city of David) and priest of the God Most High. Melchizedek prefigured Jesus Christ by uniquely being both a king and priest. The writer of Hebrew described Melchizedek as being a great man. In fact, Melchizedek was described as being greater than Abraham (Heb. 7:7). Noticeably, Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils captured from the invading kings (Gen. 14:18-20). Thereafter, Melchizedek blessed Abraham, saying, “Blessed be Abram [later called Abraham] of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has handed over your enemies to you” (Gen. 14:19-20).
At Hebrews 7:12, we read, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.” With the coming of Jesus Christ, we have a new priesthood and a new law. God’s people no longer specifically live under the law of Moses. We live under the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2). We walk by the Spirit and Word. The “way of the Lord” is equivalent to the law of Christ. By God’s Spirit, we are required to live according to a set of principles, values, and beliefs derived from the Word of God.
Thereafter, the king of Sodom told Abraham, “Give the people to me and take the possessions yourself” (Gen. 14:21), but Abraham declined the king’s offer. Abraham was not going to allow a corrupt king to say, “I have made Abram rich” (Gen. 14:23). Abraham’s life was a witness to the world. It was God who promised to bless Abraham, and it was God who blessed Abraham. Every Christian is a witness to the world, and it is important for us to guard the integrity of our witness.
At Genesis, Chapter 17, when Abraham was 99 years old, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Abram [‘aḇrām] means “exalted father,”[1] and Abraham [‘aḇrāhām] means “father of a multitude.”[2] He was the founder and father of the Jewish people, and he also became the spiritual father of every believer throughout human history. Abraham is a pivotal person in human history. Those that bless him will be blessed, and those that curse him will be cursed [Gen. 12:3]. This is still true 4000 years later.
For those wanting additional information, please see this YouTube video Bible Class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8xUY3S-Uk
[1] “H87 – ‘aḇrām – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 29 Jan, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h87/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[2] “H85 – ‘aḇrāhām – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 29 Jan, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h85/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.