Hebrews 11:8 – The Hall of Faith
Abraham & The Call, part 1
In this part we will study the life of Abraham. We will focus on the trust that he had in God when he left his homeland to go into a place he was not familiar with. We will make the connection between Abraham’s call out of Babylon and the call of God’s people to be separate in order to receive their inheritance.
1. What did God ask Abraham to do by faith? Hebrews 11:8
Note: Abraham believed God and was willing to do something that perhaps was challenging for him to explain. He did it by faith and in the process, he had to leave family members and associates behind.
2. When God commanded Abraham to leave his country, did he know where he was going? Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1
3. Since Abraham didn’t know where he was going, what was he holding onto as evidence that God would perform His word? Genesis 12:2-3; 2 Peter 1:4
4. While we are waiting for “country living” in preparation for these last days and other answers to our prayers, what must we cling to, by faith, as Abraham did? Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Isaiah 33:16
5. What was Abraham’s original name when God called him out of the land of his fathers? Genesis 12:1
Note: In the Hebrew Lexicon of the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, number 87, this name means “exalted father”.
6. What does a name represent in scripture? Exodus 33:18; 34:5-7
Note: Names are important and are of special interest to God. For example, God called Abraham out of the land of his fathers while his name was still Abram. It was important that God changed his name to reflect a character more like His own and as an evidence to Abraham that God would fulfill His covenant to make him the father of many nations.
Patriarchs and Prophets, 137: When Abraham had been nearly twenty-five years in Canaan, the Lord appeared unto him, and said, “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” In awe, the patriarch fell upon his face, and the message continued: “Behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” In token of the fulfillment of this covenant, his name, heretofore called Abram, was changed to Abraham, which signifies, “father of a great multitude.” Sarai’s name became Sarah —“princess;” for, said the divine Voice, “she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” {PP 137.3}
7. What was the condition Abraham had to meet in order to receive God’s promise? Hebrews 11:8
8. What was the relationship between God and Abraham? James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7
9. Are we called to be friends of God? How can we tell if we are God’s friends? John 15:14
Note: When we look at the call of God to Abraham, we do not see any hesitation by Abraham to obey the call. Like Abraham, we are to wait for and listen to every word of direction from God. Jesus tells us in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The Youth’s Instructor, 1897: Abraham obeyed the voice of God. No sooner did he have an indication of God’s will than he was ready to obey. He did not stop to consider whether it would be for his financial advantage to do this. In faith, putting his confidence in the guidance of God, he left his home and his kindred, and “went out, not knowing whither he went.” {YI March 4, 1897, par. 2}
10. From whom did Abraham learn obedience to God? Genesis 11:31; Ephesians 6:1
Note: Abraham learned obedience to God from his father, Terah, and his fathers before him. As we learned in a previous lesson, the descendents from the line of Seth “called upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26) or they lived faithful to God. A careful comparative look at Genesis 11 and Luke 3 will show names such as Eber or Heber and Shem who were descendants of Seth. These names are found in the genealogy of Abraham and Jesus. This shows us that our godly influence, when dedicated to God, can impact our lineage for generations to come.
11. How old was Abraham when God called him out of his father’s house? What encouragement can be given to those who are mature in years and desire to serve the Lord? Genesis 12:4; Psalm 92:13, 14
12. What distinguished Abraham from other men in the eyes of God? Genesis 18:19
Note: In order for Abraham to be a blessing to the nations, he had to be a blessing in his house first. To better accomplish this, God called Abraham away from the influences of his kindred and friends which would keep him from following God.
13. Who also decided to leave Haran and continue the journey to Canaan because of Abraham’s influence? Genesis 12:5
14. After God called Abraham out, what did Abraham build to the Lord in Canaan? Genesis 12:6-8
15. As Abraham built the altar, what did he lead those around him to do as well? 2 Chronicles 32:11-12; Isaiah 36:7
Note: As Abraham was erecting altars in Canaan, not only was it a witness to those in his household, but it also served as a witness to the idolatrous Canaanites to worship the true, living God.
16. Where was Abraham when God first called him out? Genesis 11:31; 15:7; Acts 7:3, 4
17. According to the scriptures, what is Ur of the Chaldees also known as? Isaiah 13:19; 43:14
18. Where is God calling His people out from today, as He did Abraham? Revelation 18:2, 4
19. After Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldees, was there a second call from God to come out? Acts 7:3, 4; Genesis 12:1, 4-5
20. In these last days, where is God calling His people out from, and how many times does He give the call to come out? Revelation 18:2, 4; 14:8
Note: Babylon, primarily, represents the Papacy (Revelation 17:3-6; Mark 2:5-7; John 10:30-33) and the Apostate Protestant Churches (Ezekiel 16:44). They are called Babylon because they serve wine or false, unscriptural teachings to deceive people to worship falsely (Isaiah 28:7).
21. To understand the call of God’s people out of Babylon in these last days, let us look at how ancient Babylon influenced God’s people and make the present day application. Next to each scripture, write down the things of Babylon which God is calling His people out from today.
a) Daniel 1:3, 4
b) Daniel 1:5
c) Daniel 1:6-7
Answer: The Babylonians changed the names of the Hebrews. Since a name represents character in the Bible, the application is that the Babylonians were trying to change their holy characters to be unholy.
d) Daniel 3:4-6
e) Joshua 7:21
Note: Notice that God makes the call to come out of Babylon two times. While some of God’s professed people have literally come out of Babylon (the fallen churches and false doctrines), God is calling His people to have a deeper connection with Him until there is a more apparent demarcation between His people and worldlings.
Early Writings, 64: Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?” Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel’s message. Said the angel, “Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever yet died.” I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but little time in which to do it.” {EW 64.1}
22. What did God promise to give Abraham? Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 15:6-7
23. Did Abraham literally receive his inheritance or possession of the land of Canaan while he dwelt there? Hebrews 11:13
Note: Although Abraham died without literally receiving possession of his inheritance, Canaan, he died in faith. This means that he was not discouraged. He was given the right to the land as soon as he believed and continued to walk in obedience to God. See Genesis 15:18.
24. Besides Canaan, what did God reveal that Abraham would receive as an inheritance, and to whom else is this inheritance promised? Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:29
25. How can we know that the promises of God are sure? Titus 1:2; Romans 4:16
26. What is the character that is needed to receive the earth made new, which is the promised inheritance? How can we receive this character? Psalm 37:11; Matthew 11:28-30
27. How do we learn about Jesus, and what will be the result? John 1:1, 14; 2 Corinthians 3:18
28. Who will God send to prepare us to receive the promise of our inheritance? Ephesians 1:12-14; John 14:16-17