ABRAHAMABRAHAM “Father of Multitudes”“Father of Multitudes”

”Father of Many Nations””Father of Many Nations””Father of Faith””Father of Faith”

Dennis Raymond P. MaturanDennis Raymond P. Maturan

De La Salle-College of St. BenildeDe La Salle-College of St. Benilde

June, 2006June, 2006

ABRAHAMABRAHAM Father of the Jewish peopleFather of the Jewish people Father of faith due his Father of faith due his

assent to the Will of God and assent to the Will of God and His JusticeHis Justice

Spiritually, the father and Spiritually, the father and ancestor of all true believersancestor of all true believers

Recognized by the Apostles Recognized by the Apostles as a sign of the resurrection as a sign of the resurrection of mankind the Savior, of mankind the Savior, Jesus ChristJesus Christ

““Abram” was his original Abram” was his original name which means “The name which means “The father is exalted”father is exalted”

God’s Promises to Abraham:God’s Promises to Abraham:

1) Land – Gen. 1) Land – Gen. 13:14-1513:14-15

2) Descendants – 2) Descendants – Gen. 22:17Gen. 22:17

3) Blessing for all 3) Blessing for all nations – Gen. nations – Gen. 22:18 (since he is 22:18 (since he is the ancestor of the ancestor of Jesus Christ)Jesus Christ)

Key Events in Abraham’s LifeKey Events in Abraham’s Life:: Abraham’s Call (Gen. Abraham’s Call (Gen.

12:1-3)12:1-3) God’s Promise of Land God’s Promise of Land

(Gen. 13:14-16)(Gen. 13:14-16) God’s Promise of God’s Promise of

Descendants (Gen. 15:5-Descendants (Gen. 15:5-6)6)

The Covenant Rite (Gen. The Covenant Rite (Gen. 15:9-12)15:9-12)

The Destruction of The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:23-29)(Gen. 19:23-29)

Abraham’s Test (Gen. Abraham’s Test (Gen. 22:1-19)22:1-19)

Realizations During Abraham’s Realizations During Abraham’s Life:Life:

1) 1) About God About God - always takes - always takes

the initiativethe initiative always faithful to always faithful to

His promisesHis promises protector of those protector of those

who are faithful who are faithful and obedient to and obedient to HimHim

Realizations During Abraham’s Realizations During Abraham’s Life:Life:

2) 2) About Man’s faith as About Man’s faith as a response to Goda response to God

faith is an unconditional faith is an unconditional acceptance of God’s acceptance of God’s WordWord

that faith means that faith means obedience to His obedience to His commandmentscommandments

that faith means also that faith means also “concern” for one’s “concern” for one’s fellow human beingsfellow human beings

The Elements of True FaithThe Elements of True Faith::

1.1. BeliefBelief

2.2. TrustTrust

3.3. ObedienceObedience

Abrahams’ RelationsAbrahams’ Relations TerahTerah – the father of – the father of

AbrahamAbraham Abraham’s Brothers:Abraham’s Brothers: 1. Haran1. Haran 2. Nahor2. Nahor SarahSarah – the wife of Abraham – the wife of Abraham her name means “princess”her name means “princess” originally named “Sarai”originally named “Sarai” HagarHagar – the Egyptian maid- – the Egyptian maid-

servant of Sarahservant of Sarah bore Abraham’s first son bore Abraham’s first son

IshmaelIshmael

Abrahams’ RelationsAbrahams’ Relations Ishmael Ishmael – the name means – the name means

“God Heard”“God Heard” IsaacIsaac – the name means “ He – the name means “ He

Laughs”Laughs” the legitimate son of the legitimate son of

Abraham and SarahAbraham and Sarah the bearer of the Promisethe bearer of the Promise was asked by God to be was asked by God to be

offered as a holocaust or offered as a holocaust or human sacrifice from human sacrifice from AbrahamAbraham

the secondary figure as link the secondary figure as link to Abraham and Jacobto Abraham and Jacob

Abrahams’ DescendantsAbrahams’ Descendants Rebekah Rebekah – the wife of – the wife of

Isaac who was barrenIsaac who was barren the daughter of Bethuel the daughter of Bethuel

and the sister of Labanand the sister of Laban EsauEsau – “the hairy one” – “the hairy one” - the firstborn son and - the firstborn son and

one of the twins of one of the twins of Isaac and RebekahIsaac and Rebekah

- had reddish skin and a - had reddish skin and a hairy bodyhairy body

sold his birthright to sold his birthright to Jacob for a pot of Jacob for a pot of lentilslentils

Abrahams’ DescendantsAbrahams’ Descendants JacobJacob (Jakub) – the name (Jakub) – the name

means “one who takes the means “one who takes the heel” or “God Protects”heel” or “God Protects”

the twin brother of Esauthe twin brother of Esau deceived Isaac to render his deceived Isaac to render his

blessing that was meant for blessing that was meant for Esau who is firstbornEsau who is firstborn

was renamed “Israel” which was renamed “Israel” which means “the strong one of means “the strong one of God”God”

became the husband and became the husband and father of the sons of the father of the sons of the sisters Leah and Rachelsisters Leah and Rachel

became also the father of the became also the father of the sons of the sons of the BilhahBilhah and and ZilpahZilpah, maid-servants of , maid-servants of Rachel and Leah respectivelyRachel and Leah respectively

Abrahams’ DescendantsAbrahams’ Descendants The 12 Tribes of IsraelThe 12 Tribes of Israel (12 Sons (12 Sons

of Jacob):of Jacob): ReubenReuben SimeonSimeon LeviLevi JudahJudah IsaacharIsaachar Zebulun___________Mother: Zebulun___________Mother:

LeahLeah JosephJoseph Benjamin ___ Mother: Benjamin ___ Mother:

RachelRachel DanDan Napthali Mother: Napthali Mother:

Bilhah (Rachel’s maid)Bilhah (Rachel’s maid) GadGad Asher Mother: Asher Mother:

Zilpah (Leah’s maid)Zilpah (Leah’s maid)

Abrahams’ DescendantsAbrahams’ Descendants JosephJoseph – the name – the name

means “let God add”means “let God add” one of the sons of one of the sons of

JacobJacob envied by his brothers envied by his brothers

since he was Jacob’s since he was Jacob’s favorite son in his old favorite son in his old age and was gifted with age and was gifted with a multicolored coata multicolored coat

was sold by his was sold by his brothers to slave brothers to slave traders but made to traders but made to believe to Jacob that he believe to Jacob that he was killedwas killed

Abrahams’ DescendantsAbrahams’ Descendants

JosephJoseph:: interpreted dreamsinterpreted dreams became the governor of became the governor of

Egypt and there Egypt and there became a numerous became a numerous peoplepeople

The Sons of JosephThe Sons of Joseph:: (adopted by Jacob thus (adopted by Jacob thus

counted as members of counted as members of the tribes)the tribes)

1.1. EphraimEphraim2.2. ManassehManasseh