Abraham

The period of the patriarchs is difficult to date with accuracy, but scholars estimate that Abraham’s birth was approximately 1810 BC Abraham possessed a clear faith in God, contrary to his ancestors and the people who surrounded him He was even visited by angels (Gen 18, 1) He had a permanent desire to obey God, ex. The sacrifice of his son (Isaac) (Gen 22, 1-14)

The notion of a covenant sets the faith of Abraham apart Canaan (the future Israel) would be the land of the descendants of Abraham The covenant between God and Abraham

Abraham and Lot needed vast stretches of land for their herds A famine could reduce their riches to nothing This is what forced them into Egypt Abraham pretended that Sarah was his sister God inflicted upon Pharaoh and his court a series of plagues Difficult beginnings

Abraham and Lot separated from one another – their herds were too numerous to continue to live together on the same land without friction or disputes The Separation

Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they were living side by side. Because their possessions were so great, they were not able to live alongside one another. 7 So there were quarrels between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. (Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.) (Genesis 13:5-7)

Sarah could not have children, so Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar Three angels visited Abraham to announce to him that Sarah would have a son Sarah laughed – she was old; Isaac was born – Isaac means “he laughs”

Sarah laughs because she does not think it is possible for her to have children

From Abraham’s life, the New Testament refers mainly to His faith His departure and voyage The promise of descendants The sacrifice of Issac, his son “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob glorified his servant Jesus…” (Acts 3:13) The symbolism of Abraham’s life

Selon le désir de Sarah et de Dieu, Abraham a banni Ismaël et Hagar Ismaël est parti coloniser Paran, entre Canaan et les montagnes de Sinaï Dieu était toujours avec Hagar et Ismaël pour les aider à survivre dans le désert

Paran moderne

Fils d’Abraham et Sarah Isaac serait le fils qui donnerait à Abraham tous ses descendants

Abraham voulait qu’Isaac épouse une femme de sa parenté Eliezer est allé cherche une femme et il a trouvé Rébecca à la fontaine à Ur en Mésopotamie

Dieu répondit aux prières d’Isaac et rend Rebecca fertile Elle donna naissance à deux fils, deux jumeaux Esau – le préféré d'Isaac Jacob – le préféré de Rébecca

Dans sa vieillesse, Isaac accorda sa bénédiction, ainsi que son héritage, à son fils cadet Jacob A cette époque des patriarches, l'héritage et le lignage du peuple élu devaient normalement échoir au fils aîné Isaac fut enterré dans la tombe de ses parents à Mecpelah à Hébron par Esau et Jacob, alors réconciliés

Offert en sacrifice par son père Abraham, mais sauvé de la mort Il préfigure le sacrifice du Christ et annonce la liberté des croyants (= leur résurrection)