Who was Abraham?

Children of Abraham

Richard L. Shafer[1]

A friend recently gave me a copy of Bruce Feiler’s book entitled, ABRAHAM: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths.[2] Abraham, credited with being the “father” of monotheism, is the man to whom Jews, Christians, and Muslims all trace their faith traditions. So I was surprised to read that this Abraham, whom I had thought might have been an actual historic figure, a singular man, might have been a myth, or a “blend,” interpreted and reinterpreted by people according to their needs. We “know” a few things about this “man” from the scriptures.

Abraham was a cunning man. When in danger, he asked Sarah to cover up their marriage, saying that she was his sister, in order to save his life. In Egypt, the Pharaoh took Sarah, and gave Abraham “sheep, cattle, donkeys, slaves, and camels.” (Genesis 12:16) In fact, God afflicted the Pharaoh and his people with “terrible diseases” because he had taken Sarah. Abraham did the same thing when they were in Gerar, later. King Abimelech also sought Sarah, but soon gave her back (Genesis 20:2).

Abraham was both a rich man (Genesis 13:2) and war hero (Genesis 14:13-24). He rescued his nephew Lot from capture by the armies which had attacked Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham was a family man. In Genesis 15:2, Abraham asked for children. God promised Abraham descendents as many as the stars in the sky. Soon thereafter, Sarah offered Hagar, her slave, as a partner for Abraham so he (and she) might have a son. Ishmael was born. But when Abraham suggested that Ishmael might inherit all Abraham’s wealth, God then said that Abraham and Sarah would (finally) have a son of their own. In the Qur’an, Surah 14, Abraham offers praise to God, “who has given me Ishmael and Isaac in my old age! All prayers are heard by Him.”

Abraham was a very strong and confident man. By Genesis 18, he’s actually negotiating with God to save the city of Sodom “for the sake of ten good people.” And in the Qur’an, Surah 21:52-74, he speaks up against those who would have the people continue to worship idols.

Abraham was “saintly” according to the Qur’an (4:125 and 6:162). He was a servant of God (38:45). And, “[he] was a paragon of piety, an upright man obedient to God” (16:122).

Most importantly for us who follow one of these faith traditions, Abraham was a faithful man. Abraham “heard the call” of God. He was told to leave his home and his family, and go to a place unknown to him, “...the land that [God] will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) He was a heroic figure who left the place he knew, and risked it all, having faith that God would take care of him.

“Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen. Because Abraham had faith, he lived as a stranger in the promised land. He lived there in a tent, and so did Isaac and Jacob who were later given the same promise....” (Hebrews 11:8-12)

According to the Qur’an, (3:67) he was “neither Jew nor Christian. He was an upright man, one who surrendered himself to God.” Abraham IS truly a complex and interesting figure, worthy of our study and emulation, whether we are Jew, Christian or Muslim.

[1] This is one of a series of occasional columns in which the author, raised in the Christian tradition, searches for common ground and common history among the teachings, beliefs and practices of adherents of the Abrahamic faiths -- Islam, Christianity and Judaism.