Was Abraham a Jew?
Many would say that he was. The truth is, he was not…Abraham was not a Jew. At that time there were no Jews. However, Abraham was a Hebrew. Jews are descendants from the tribe of Judah, and Judah had not been born yet. Abraham and Sarah were still waiting for the promised son who would be named Isaac. It is through Isaac’s son Jacob that the twelve tribes were born of which Judah was one of. So, Isaac and Jacob were not Jews either, they were Hebrews. Where does the word Hebrew come from? Well, you must go back through the genealogy to Eber. The name Eber means ‘the opposite side’. The important verb עבר (‘abar) means to pass or cross over (a river, border, obstacle or terrain). The derived noun עבר (‘eber) describes what or where you end up when you do the verb: the other side or region beyond. Remember, when Joshua said that Abraham came from the other side of the flood, and he stated it twice in 24:2-3. So, Abraham crossed over when he left Ur. He became a ‘passer over to the other side”…a Hebrew. Now you know what the word Hebrew means. I will submit to you that if you are going to be a follower of Christ, you will make that transition and cross over to the other side.
God saw the faithfulness of Abram who was surrounded by a society of paganism and a father and grandfather that participated in these practices. The patriarch was called to leave his past behind him, to step out in faith, to believe in what seemed unbelievable, to do what God had called him to do. And as a result of his faithfulness, all the nations of the world would be blessed.
Prove by Trial
Faith must grow. God’s people are tested. We can think of it in terms as being given choices, either chose to trust and follow God or follow our own way. As we know, the first example of this on planet earth was Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve though righteous, they fell. God did not forsake them, but made provision for saving grace through a Redeemer. Out of testing comes growth. David actually sought God’s testing, asking Him to examine his heart and mind and see that they were true to Him (Psalm 26:2, 139:23). When Abraham was tested again by God in the matter of Isaac (Genesis 22), Abram obeyed (Hebrews 11:17–19) and showed to all the world that he is the father of faith (Romans 4:16).
Having faith does not mean that mistakes won’t be made, however, like the patriarchs of scripture growth should be seen (sanctification) and in our journey we too will come to despise wrong-doing because the thought of its cost is ever before us. Here is where we begin to transition into glorification, this is where we look for the ‘city which has foundations and whose builder and maker is God’ just as Abraham did (Hebrews 11:9-10). The more we look for it, the more our life changes. Christ himself will complete our glorification when he returns. Amen and amen.
Defining “Test”
In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean “to prove by trial.” Therefore, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prove to us that our faith is real. Not that God needs to prove it to Himself since He knows all things, but He is proving to us that our faith is real, showing us that we are truly His children, and strengthening us into believing that no trial will overcome our faith.
A Few Examples
In His Parable of the Sower, Jesus identifies the ones who fall away as those who receive the seed of God’s Word with joy, but, as soon as a time of testing comes along, they fall away. James says that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, which leads to maturity in our walk with God (James 1:3–4). James goes on to say that testing is a blessing, because, when the testing is over and we have “stood the test,” we will “receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Testing comes from our heavenly Father who works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Becoming a Christian will often require us to move out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness. This is why James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). The testing of faith can come in small ways and daily irritations; they may also be severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10) and attacks from Satan (Job 2:7). Whatever the source of the testing, it is to our benefit to undergo the trials that God allows.
The account of Job is a perfect example of God allowing one of His saints to be tested by the devil. Job bore all his trials patiently and “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). However, the account of Job’s testing is proof that Satan’s ability to try us is limited by God’s sovereign control. No demon can test or afflict us with beyond what God allows. All our trials work toward God’s perfect purpose and our benefit.
There are many examples of the positive results of being tested. The psalmist likens our testing to being refined like silver (Psalm 66:10). Peter speaks of our faith as “of greater worth than gold,” and that’s why we “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6–7). In testing our faith, God causes us to grow into strong disciples who truly live by faith and not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7).
When we experience the storms of life, we should be like the tree that digs its roots ever more deeply for a greater grip in the earth. We must “dig our roots” more deeply into God’s Word and cling to His promises so we can weather whatever storms come against us.
Most comforting of all, we know that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle by His power. His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). “That is why,” Paul said, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Of course, we might not hear the voice of God speaking directly to us, but He calls us by the teachings of His Word and the events of His providence. Christ must come first, everything else is secondary to Him. Many believe that once you are saved (justification), it is a ‘piece of cake’ thereafter. However, scripture describes a much different scenario as noted above. Sanctification is a hard journey, that old self, old thoughts and behaviors are difficult to squash and that we will “war with our flesh”. In fact, scripture tells us we will be hated by the world, and that we fight against wickedness in high places. See: Matthew 5:10-12, 10:22-24, 24:9; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17; John 15:8; Galatians 4:16, 5:17,24; Eph. 6:12, 1 Peter 2:7, 5:8.
At the same time, God makes some fantastic promises to us like: salvation, a kingdom with no suffering or death or grave, gifts beyond measure, eternal life with our Redeemer, just to name a few.
Abraham Called by God
Genesis 12, Abraham is called by God to leave Haran. God does not expressly mention any specific place or destination. God simply called it ‘a land that I will shew thee’ (v. 1). The call demanded faith on the part of Abraham (Hebrews 11:8). God promised that He would make of Abraham a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. Also, God told him that he would be a blessing to people (v. 2). This were fantastic promises! This call was not for Abraham’s benefit alone for he would benefit the whole world (v. 3). Within this privilege would be responsibilities. It is interesting that when God spoke to Abraham, it was 422 years since he spoke to man. Prior to this he spoke to Noah, and prior to that Adam, Eve, and Cain.
The Hebrew text contains two imperatives in the first three verses of Genesis 12. The first one is the verb “to go” (verse 1) and the second is the verb “to be” as in “be a blessing.” The former involves action, while the latter focuses upon being. The root word of the imperative “to go” in Hebrew is halak, which literally means “to walk.” In another important instance in the Abraham narrative the word halak refers to Abraham’s living before God (Gen. 17:1). In this sense the command of “going” expresses the idea of “living” and of “being.” It suggests then that in our calling as disciples of Jesus the “being” is as essential as the “doing.” Also, “being” precedes the “doing,” for the messengers themselves are powerful messages. What impresses you most in other people what they do or who they are?