Hebrews observes, By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going (Hb. 11: 8). Many of you women are saying right now, “What’s so unique about that? Most men don’t have directions when they leave the house!” The difference is why Abraham left his home without a map. Abraham went because he was called. Abraham is called the Father of Faith for a reason. His life epitomized a willingness to trust God. Yes, Abraham often failed in faith as well but the overwhelming testimony of his life is one of unprecedented faith. That’s important because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hb. 11: 6). Faith is the chief characteristic of the Christian. That’s why we’re called believers.
What can the Father of Faith teach us about our faith? Well, for one he shows us that faith can be practiced in any environment. Genesis 10 – 12 makes it amply clear that Abraham’s contemporaries were not people of faith – anything but. Yet living in a pagan culture Abraham heard from God and responded in unquestioning faith. In a world which says, “Seeing is believing,” the man or woman of faith says, No, believing is seeing!”
Abraham reveals the costliness of faith. Faith demands everything be abandoned in exchange for God’s Word. Abraham was called to leave the familiar (your land), his family (your relatives) and even his financial security (your father’s house). Faith is when you can’t touch bottom. Faith crawls out on a limb and saws it off behind you. [F]aith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen (Hb. 11: 1).
Abraham is an illustration of the responsibility of faith. The end of Genesis 12: 2 appears to be a command as the alternative translation Be a blessing! underscores. God desires us to be rivers of blessing not reservoirs of blessing. What God gives He expects us to give away. Faith demands obedience. It is faith alone that saves (Eph. 2: 8) but the faith that saves is never alone. That’s why James can use Abraham as an example of faithfulness (Jm. 2: 21-23).
Abraham also reminds us of the faithfulness of God toward the faithful. God’s challenge to Abraham in Genesis 12: 1 – 2 pales when compared to God’s promise to him in verse 3. You and I will never outlive God, out give God or out bless God! God does infinitely more for us than we will ever do for Him.