The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
The Family of Abraham
by Greg Chandler
While Genesis 3-11 chronicle numerous rebellions against God, chapter 12 stands in stark contrast with the introduction of a man named Abram (whose name is later changed to Abraham). Abraham demonstrated remarkable faith in God when he unquestioningly obeyed the command to leave his homeland and go to a place God would show Him. Because of this great faith, God promised that Abraham would have numerous descendants, a homeland for these descendants, and that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 12:1-3).
The remaining chapters of Genesis tell the story of the growth of Abraham’s family. Though Abraham and his wife Sarah were old, God allowed them to have a son who they named Isaac. Isaac and his wife Rebekah had twin sons named Esau and Jacob. Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel, had 12 sons. These patriarchs served as the foundation of the nation to come.
Time passes after the close of Genesis and great changes in situation occur to Abraham’s family. In the opening chapter of Exodus, the reader learns that this family is now in bondage to the nation of Egypt. God, however, brings Israel out of this land and makes them into their own nation. In the remaining pages of the Old Testament, God chronicles how that the promises of numerous descendants and a land for these descendants are fulfilled. Sadly, it also explains how that his family did not appreciate their great blessings and were ultimately punished for abandoning God.
Interestingly, Abraham is a topic of great interest in the New Testament. God had not forgotten the final and greatest promise made to Abraham: “Through you, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.” The fulfillment of this promise came through Jesus Christ. As Savior, this descendant of Abraham not only died for His own people but for all mankind. The apostle Paul wrote on this topic and stated, “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spiritthrough faith” (Galatians 3:14). Through Jesus, all are now welcome into the family of Abraham. Again, note what the apostle wrote to the Galatians: “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:7-9). No matter one’s nation of origin, all are welcomed into the family of Abraham through the wonderful gift found in Jesus Christ.