⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

One of the most frequently mentioned Old Testament characters in the New, Abraham is most frequently associated with faith. He is the one in whom all Israelites find their heritage. It was to him the promises were given that his descendants would be blessed and be a blessing to the nations of the earth. His name is mentioned almost equally in the letters to the Romans, Galatians and Hebrews, and most frequently in connection with his faith. In fact, of all the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 10, Abraham is given the most attention (with Moses following a close second).

Consider for a moment the monumental nature of Abraham’s obedience of faith. (We here connect faith and obedience, because faith is never treated simply as an inward cognitive assent to the truth, but is always expressed in action). God called and Abraham obeyed. The call was to leave his land and his people (Genesis 12:1ff), but he was not told where the final destination would be. Noah, as discussed in the previous verse Hebrews 11:7, was told there would be a flood and all the people of the earth destroyed except his family and the animals on the ark. But Abraham was not told to where he to move! Later revelation finds this kind of faith rehearsed in the Psalms, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105).

In ancient times a person’s security was bound up first in his extended family, first, and then his community. Abraham was called away from all that, to find his security in God. He was risking everything, including his very life. The only thing he had to hold on to was God’s promise: He would make Abraham into a great nation and give him a land and blessing. Abraham dared to believe his God! That is nothing short of astounding, when you consider the conditions of life at that time.

Many people had gods in Abraham’s day; he lived in a pagan society at the time he was called out. While many attribute great powers to their pagan gods, how many would willing risk their lives in such a tangible way as Abraham did? Even today, few really trust God when it comes to their actual livelihood and domicile. The dollar and personal security are the usual fulcrum on which faith and lack of it actually rest. It is no wonder, then, that Paul writes, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham” (Gal 3:7). Faith was characteristic of Abraham and of all who live by faith.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief, so that I may have the faith of Abraham.