Abraham and Sarah
You probably know most of the prophets in the Bible like Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, and the others with Old Testament books named for them, but the bible identifies many more prophets. In this blog series we will get to know most of the prophets of the Bible, the ones with books named with books after them, and those whose names you may not know at all.
In case you forgot here’s what the word prophet means and how someone is given that title. The English word prophet in the Old Testament comes from the Hebrew word “nabiy” which means “spokesman” or “speaker”. The Greek word for prophet is “prophētēs”, which can mean “one who speaks forth” or “advocate.” Prophets are also called “seers,” because of their spiritual insight or their ability to “see” the future, as directed by God.
The first prophet in the series was Able who we would not have thought of as a prophet at all if Jesus hadn’t called him one.
Luke 11:50-51 (NLT)50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world--51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
Abraham
Our next prophet is Abraham, aka Abram, the man we know of as the guy who was told to leave his family and go off on his own to who knows where; the man who at 100 years old had a son with his 90 year old wife, and who was declared righteous because he believed God when He told him that it would happen.
Genesis 17:17-19 (NLT)17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
Romans 4:3 (NLT)3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Galatians 3:6 (NLT)6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Who Was Abraham?
Abraham was the son of Terah and a great grandson of Noah.
Genesis 11:26 (NLT)26 When Terah was 70 years old, he had become the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
God called Abraham and told him to separate himself from his family and settle in a place that was unknown to him.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Abraham had several children but God tells him that the promises made to him would be fulfilled through a son born to him when he was and old man, and his wife Sarah aka, Sara, who was barren and past the normal child bearing age, at the time of the promise.
Genesis 17:17-19 (NLT)17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 21:1-5 (NLT)1 The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.3 And Abraham named their son Isaac.4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
He was an accomplished warrior, defeating five kings with his 318 servants and hired hands.
Genesis 14:8-12, 14-16 (NLT)8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. 14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
He became very rich.
Genesis 13:1-2 (NLT) 1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned.2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)
He was called God’s friend.
2 Chronicles 20:7 (NLT)7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
Isaiah 41:8 (NLT)8 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend,
In case you forgot here’s what the word prophet means and how someone is given that title. The English word prophet in the Old Testament comes from the Hebrew word “nabiy” which means “spokesman” or “speaker”. The Greek word for prophet is “prophētēs”, which can mean “one who speaks forth” or “advocate.” Prophets are also called “seers,” because of their spiritual insight or their ability to “see” the future, as directed by God.
The first prophet in the series was Able who we would not have thought of as a prophet at all if Jesus hadn’t called him one.
Luke 11:50-51 (NLT)50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world--51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
Abraham
Our next prophet is Abraham, aka Abram, the man we know of as the guy who was told to leave his family and go off on his own to who knows where; the man who at 100 years old had a son with his 90 year old wife, and who was declared righteous because he believed God when He told him that it would happen.
Genesis 17:17-19 (NLT)17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
Romans 4:3 (NLT)3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Galatians 3:6 (NLT)6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Who Was Abraham?
Abraham was the son of Terah and a great grandson of Noah.
Genesis 11:26 (NLT)26 When Terah was 70 years old, he had become the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
God called Abraham and told him to separate himself from his family and settle in a place that was unknown to him.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Abraham had several children but God tells him that the promises made to him would be fulfilled through a son born to him when he was and old man, and his wife Sarah aka, Sara, who was barren and past the normal child bearing age, at the time of the promise.
Genesis 17:17-19 (NLT)17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 21:1-5 (NLT)1 The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.3 And Abraham named their son Isaac.4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
He was an accomplished warrior, defeating five kings with his 318 servants and hired hands.
Genesis 14:8-12, 14-16 (NLT)8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. 14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
He became very rich.
Genesis 13:1-2 (NLT) 1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned.2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)
He was called God’s friend.
2 Chronicles 20:7 (NLT)7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
Isaiah 41:8 (NLT)8 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend,
Why Was Abraham A Prophet?
Abraham was first identified as a prophet, ironically, at a time that he deceived a King named Abimelech by pretending that his wife Sarah was his sister. When Abimelech had her brought to his palace God warned him in a dream that he was about to die if he put a move on her. (read the entire story in Genesis 20)
Genesis 20:3-5 (NLT)3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
He then told Abimelech that Abraham, Sarah’s husband, was his prophet.
Genesis 20:6-7 (NLT)6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
Perhaps the most important thing is that God Himself gave Abraham the title of prophet. In our description of a prophet we found that he or she is spokesperson, in other words a messenger.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 13:14-16 (NLT)14 After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
Genesis 15:4-6 (NLT)4 Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Genesis 15:13-16 (NLT)13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.15 (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.)16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”
Romans 4:18-25 (NLT)18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.
The most important thing about this prophet is that he was the forefather of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 12:7 (KJV) 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Galatians 3:15-18 (KJV) 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Abraham was first identified as a prophet, ironically, at a time that he deceived a King named Abimelech by pretending that his wife Sarah was his sister. When Abimelech had her brought to his palace God warned him in a dream that he was about to die if he put a move on her. (read the entire story in Genesis 20)
Genesis 20:3-5 (NLT)3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
He then told Abimelech that Abraham, Sarah’s husband, was his prophet.
Genesis 20:6-7 (NLT)6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
Perhaps the most important thing is that God Himself gave Abraham the title of prophet. In our description of a prophet we found that he or she is spokesperson, in other words a messenger.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 13:14-16 (NLT)14 After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
Genesis 15:4-6 (NLT)4 Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Genesis 15:13-16 (NLT)13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years.14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.15 (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.)16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”
Romans 4:18-25 (NLT)18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.
The most important thing about this prophet is that he was the forefather of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 12:7 (KJV) 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Galatians 3:15-18 (KJV) 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
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