Abraham - The Father of the Faithful

Characteristics:

1. Obedient (Genesis 12:4) 

So Abraham went as the Lord had told him, and he was 75 years old when he left Haram.

2. Unselfish 

Abraham gave Lot his nephew, the first choice of the land. Lot who was travelling with Abraham, but there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abraham and the herdsmen of Lot, so Lot separated from him.

3. Benevolent 

Abraham gave the tenth of his income to Melchizedek the priest to God most high. The tenth of our income belongs to the Lord. Malachi says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house.”

4. Mighty in Prayer 

Abraham prayed unto God with regards to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But unluckily, God was not able to find even the 10 righteous people in Sodom.

5. Wonderful in Faith 

When God tested Abraham to offer Isaac, his only son. He believes that God is able to raise another son for him. He believes that God as able to fulfill what he had promised, i.e. to make the father of many nations.

The Falling of Sodom And Gomorrah

Photo credit: www.bible-history.com

Abraham was pleading with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah. That time, the sin of this place is grievous which makes the God of heaven angry before them. Abraham bargained with God, “if there be 50 righteous people found in Sodom, will you destroy the place?” and then 40 then 30, then 20, then 10. God will spare the city of Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people. But God has not seen righteous people except Lot and his wife and 2 daughters.

The problem with Sodom is, it is extremely a bad city. Sexual violence is rampant. The people of Sodom according to Ezekiel 16 are arrogant and unconcerned, who does not care for the poor and needy.

God’s patience for them had finally run out. The Lord rained down burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorah.

Mount Sodom – a mountain of crystalline salt, 5 miles long and 300 feet high along the south western shore near it. But the rains of Sodom are nowhere to be found.

Sodom earned his terrible judgement because of human sins.