The Call of Abraham
There once lived a man named Abram in the ancient land of Ur, a region near the eastern shore of the Euphrates River. He came from a line of skilled idol makers, crafting idols from clay and stone for the worship of false gods.
One day, a divine voice shook Abram's reality. It was God’s voice, and God chose Abram for a possibly perilous but extraordinary mission. 'Leave your land, your people, and your father's household and go to the land that I will show you,' God proclaimed.
Though alarmed, Abram was also overcome by the purity and might of God's voice. It awoke in him a faith he had never felt towards the stone idols. Without hesitation and trusting in God's wisdom, he gathered his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot, packed their belongings, and left Ur. They journeyed towards an unknown land, guided by God’s promise of a great nation formed by Abram's descendants.
Abram followed God's direction southwards, travelling through Haran, and then further down to Canaan. Upon their arrival, God made his promise to Abram, 'To your offspring, I will give this land.' Their journey was not free from hardship; from famines to the Pharaoh of Egypt's threats. Yet, assured by God’s faith in him, Abram persevered.
Meanwhile, Abram and Sarai found themselves facing another dilemma. Years passed and they were still childless. Bewildered, Abram questioned God, fearful about the seeming impossibility of God's promise. But God answered, guiding Abram out under the glowing night sky. 'Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you indeed can,' God stated. 'So shall your offspring be.'
God's words swayed Abram's doubts away. His faith strengthened, he continued his journey, placing his complete trust in God's plan. However, his faith underwent a trial when a misunderstanding led to a fallout with his nephew Lot. But Abram's goodwill and righteousness remained intact; he let Lot choose the greener pastures of Jordan, while he stayed back in Canaan.
As the years passed, Abraham, whose name was changed by God from Abram, meaning 'exalted father,' to Abraham, signifying 'father of many nations,' was blessed with two sons - Ishmael and later, Isaac. Even though God had promised his covenant would establish through Isaac, He made two nations with Abraham’s sons, carrying forward His initial promise.
This call-and-response journey between Abraham and God remained a testament to the divine covenant and Abraham's unwavering faith. God's promises took him from his comfortable home to an unknown land, tested his patience, led him to warfare, and even childlessness. Yet, Abraham triumphed in his journey, embracing and epitomizing faith in God's wisdom, becoming a beacon for all who struggle between faith and skepticism.
Abraham, the idol maker, responding to the divine call, transformed drastically into Abraham, the father of a monotheistic tradition, establishing faith in one God. His life-story redefined faith, teaching believers patience and unyielding trust in God’s mysterious ways.