LESSON IV.

ABRAHAM.

COULD we foresee respecting any one that he was to become the founder of a nation, that through him and his descendants the truths which have most to do with human welfare were to be introduced into the world, and that his name was to be held in honor and his example was to have influence among millions and nations and races of men for thousands of years after his death, we should perceive at once the importance of his position and his character. Such is the place which Abraham holds in the history of mankind. When we consider this, we can better understand how he should have been subjected to those trials which might best reveal the nature and extent of that sentiment which should connect man with his Maker.

The vital principle of the religious life is faith in God. When our Saviour, in yielding up his life, said, "Not my will, but thine, O God, be done," we acknowledge not only that here was the perfect example of absolute trust and submission, but that this sentiment made him one with God. Through this self-sacrifice, he showed forth to his disciples in all coming times, in its perfect form and under its severest test, the nature of that trust and obedience which we should give to our Maker. And so also Abraham, at the beginning, was called upon to give an example of faith. His confidence in God was tried in other ways, but most strikingly in being required to surrender his only son. This point has already been adverted to in the Introduction, and need not be dwelt upon here further than is needful in order to show how the trial of Abraham was made a means of inculcating implicit trust in God. It was an example in the most impressive form, and for subsequent ages, of that which we need in all duties and trials, of that which makes our hearts and our labors religious, and without which the religious life ceases to exist, — faith in God.

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In a world covered with idolatry and superstition, Abraham and his posterity were chosen to preserve among men, until the "fulness of the time," the fundamental truth of religion, the unity and supremacy of God. And with this truth was given to him a promise, which was afterwards repeated again and again in different forms to his descendants, - brightening onward till it was fulfilled in Christ, — that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Thus, through the seemingly discordant events of human history ran, like a line of light, a providential purpose, binding together the beginning and the end, - a providential purpose looking forward to, and preparing the way for, the coming of one who should be the Saviour of the world.

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Independent of his high vocation, there was much in the personal character of Abraham to make him worthy of perpetual remembrance. He was the head of a pastoral tribe, and was not more distinguished by faith towards God, than by a certain noble simplicity, disinterestedness, and magnanimity in his relations with men. He had, as we should expect, (for God does not in his communications destroy the moral freedom of man,) many of the characteristics, while he followed the customs, of his country and time. But in the midst of all, he showed a simplicity and greatness of soul which were peculiarly his own. In his intercourse with Lot, and in the division of the country between them, for the sake of peace; in the rescue of Lot from the confederate kings, and in the restoration to Melchizedek of all the spoils which he had recovered from his enemies; in his hospitality to strangers; in his generous interest in the cities of the plain; in his purchase of a burial-place of the sons of Heth, these qualities constantly appear, and add to the authority of the religious teacher the simple dignity of the patriarch.

Q. From which of the sons of Noah was Abraha descended?

A. From Shem. Gen. xi. 10, 26.

Q. What is said of the religious character of Terah

the father of Abraham ?

A. He was an idolater. Josh. xxiv. 2.

Q. What was the name of his first wife?
A. Sarai, afterwards called Sarah. Gen. xi. 29.
Q. Where did he originally dwell?

A. In Ur of the Chaldees.

Gen. xi. 31.

Q. To what land was he required to remove?
A. To Canaan.

Q. What was the promise made by God to Abraham ? A. "I will make of thee a great nation; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Q. Why was Canaan called the land of promise ? A. Because the Lord said to him, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." Gen. xii. 7.

Q. What was the occasion of strife between the herdsmen of Lot and those of Abraham ?

A. The land where they had fixed themselves was not sufficient for the pasturage of their flocks and herds. Gen. xiii. 5, 7.

Q. In order that there might be peace, what course did Abraham take?

A. He proposed that they should seek separate pasture-grounds, and offered Lot his choice of the region where he would dwell, promising himself to remove elsewhere. Gen. xiii. 8, 9.

Q. How is the plain of Jordan, which Lot chose for himself, described ?

A. It was well watered everywhere, even as the garden of the Lord. Gen. xiii. 10, 11.

Q. When Lot was carried away captive by the five kings, what was done by Abraham ?

A. He armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen men, pursued the enemy, rescued Lot, and recovered the spoil. Gen. xiv. 11-16.

Q. What took place at the meeting between him and Melchizedek, king of Salem?

A. Melchizedek met him on his return from the conflict, and brought forth bread and wine, and blessed him. Gen. xiv. 18-24.

Q. Who was Hagar, and what was the name of her son?

A. Hagar was Sarah's handmaid, and Sarah gave her to Abraham to be his wife. Gen. xvi. 1–15.

Q. What was foretold of Ishmael?
A. That he should be a wild man, his hand against
every man, and every man's hand against him.
Gen. xvi. 12.

Q. When the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was threatened, what was the petition of Abraham in their behalf?

A. That, if there were but ten righteous found there, the city should be spared for their sake. Gen. xviii. 20-23.

Q. What was the character of the people in these cities?

A. They had sunk into great wickedness.

Q. Who were saved when the cities of the plain were destroyed?

A. Lot and his family. Gen. xix. 12, 13, 29.

Q. By what name was the son of Abraham and Sarah called?

A. Isaac.

Q. To what severe trial of his faith was Abraham subjected?

A. He was called upon to make a sacrifice of his son. Gen. xxii. 2.

Q. What was the object of this command?

A. It was a trial of his faith, and his readiness to obey God.

Q. What lesson is here taught?

A. That we are always to obey any clear command of God.

Q. Was Abraham required to make the sacrifice of his son?

A. He was not, but was only required to show his willingness to obey. Gen. xxii. 12.

Q. What substitute was provided ?

A. A ram, caught in the thicket, which Abraham offered up for a burnt-offering. Gen. xxii. 13. Q. What promise was renewed after this trial of his faith?

A. That his seed should be multiplied, and all the nations of the earth blessed therein. Gen. xxii. 15-18.