Subject: What are virtues of Abraham? |
Bible Note: I think you misunderstood my point. I never said that Abraham wasn't to be considered a Patriarch. I never said that God didn't bestow that role on Abram. But from Genesis 12, it is clear that God initiates the covenant relationship between Himself and Abram, while Abram is still living among his father's people (and most likely worshiping the family idols). God reveals Himself to Abram and at once tells him of His plan: 'Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."' --Genesis 12:1-3 This plan was announced decades before Isaac's birth, and was decreed by God. When Abram gets his name change and the covenant is formally established, Isaac is still not yet born. He also says that He will make His covenant with Isaac, who has not even been conceived yet. Therefore, God did not establish his covenant with Abraham in response to his faith. His faith was a response to God's decree. God established Abraham as a Patriarch, but not because he had "earned" it by his faith. --Joe! |