Father Role Models
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV
Abraham is a special role model for Christians. He is known as the spiritual father of all believers due to his exemplary faith.
When God instructed Abraham to move to a distant land, he didn’t question this even though he didn’t know where he was going or what kind of land it would be. This was to be the land that God would give to his descendants. While Abraham never saw the day of its fulfilment, he believed it would be so.
In the days when Abraham was well advanced in years, the Holy Spirit enabled him to believe that he and his aged wife Sarah would have a son from whose descendants a Savior would proceed.
As father of his son Isaac, Abraham showed great love for him. But Jesus declared in Matthew: “Whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (10:37) The Lord put Abraham to the test as to whom he loved more. With the help of God, Abraham passed the test. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar. Out of love for the Lord Abraham was ready and willing to do this, raising his hand to strike Isaac with a knife when God prevented him from going through with it. This act of devotion not only took tremendous love, but also great faith, for he believed that if he were to kill Isaac, God would raise him back to life so that through Isaac and his many descendants He would bring the Savior of all mankind into this world (Hebrew 11:17-19).
O'er the blest mercy-seat,
Pleading for me,
My feeble faith looks up,
Jesus, to Thee.
Help me my cross to bear,
Thy wondrous love declare,
Some song to raise or prayer,
Something for Thee.
The Lutheran Hymnal 403