Introduction

Memory Text: “By faith Abraham obeyed when He was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And He went out, not knowing where He was going” (Hebrews 11:8, NKJV).

Abraham was in two instances called to leave something that should be invaluable to Him, it was first his people, his father’s house and next it was his son. These two instances also framed Abraham’s faith because it was by it that His faith was tested. This week talks about why Abraham is the most mentioned figure in the Old Testament.

Why did God call Abram to leave His country and family?

God called Abraham to leave His country and family so that through Him all nations will be blessed and the only way that prophecy will be fulfilled through Him is by his leaving his family, country and even a part of himself.

What are the things Abram had to leave when He was called?

He left His past, everything that was familiar to Him such as His family and His country. Abram also left His heritage, much of what He acquired through heredity, education and influence. The literal translation of lekh lekha, the Hebrew phrase used to express “go” means “go yourself”, God wanted Abram to get rid of the part of Himself that contains His Babylonian past.

What lesson can we draw from the temptation of Egypt?

Abram though regarded as a man of faith still had human weakness and imperfection as any of us, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care. However, the grace of God comes into play, if not for God’s grace there will be no hope for Abram and it is because of God’s grace too that we all have hope.

What does the story about the land dispute between Abram and Lot teach us?

Abram reconnects with God after his journey to Egypt, this reconnection is seen when He allows Lot to choose a land for Himself first. Abram’s move was an act of faith, He did not choose the land and it was given to him by God’s grace, unlike Lot who chose for himself. It was after the disconnection that God spoke to Abram again.

What is one of the lessons we can draw from Abram’s operation to save Lot?

The man of faith also shows great courage and fortitude by attacking the camp that held Lot hostage thus saving Lot. This operation obviously grew the influence of Abram in the region, thus leading the people there to know the kind of man Abram was and learned something more about the God whom He served.

Why does Abram give his tithe to Melchizedek?

Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe of all in gratitude to God the Creator, who owns everything. Melchizedek served as a Priest, a representative of God on earth. The tithe is understood by Abraham not as a gift to God but as a gift from God the giver of everything.

Why is the returning of tithe a powerful indicator of faith, as well as a great faith-building act?

Returning of tithe sterns from the fact that we believe in God as the giver of everything we have although we do not see it. It also builds because each time we return the tithe, we believe that God is there providing us with what we want, and our faith in him gets built in the process knowing that He cares about us and we have it all when we have him.

In Conclusion,

Abram showed faith in God when He had to leave his country, but when famine came into Canaan where he dwelt, He decided to go away from the land He was given. Abram showed distrust and a lack of faith at this point, He further told Sarai his wife to tell anyone in Egypt who asks that she was his sister as a way of protecting himself. This shows man’s weakness and imperfection, God’s grace had to come in. Without God’s grace, there is no hope for us, I pray that God’s grace be sufficient for us in Jesus’ name.