Old Testament

Week 8: Abraham

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

Noah Shem

Arphaxad Salah
Eber Peleg Reu Serug Nahor Terah Abraham

abrm
abrhm

Ur (northern)

Ur (southern)

Abrahams relationship with God

Abraham the Friend of God (James 2:23). Gods covenant named after Abraham. Abrahams desire to obtain the priesthood (Abraham 1:12).

Why Abraham?
I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God. Abraham 1:2
5

The Abrahamic covenant

Abrahams commitment (Genesis 17:1). The Lords blessing:
Promised land. Posterity. Priesthood. Salvation and exaltation.

The token and sign of the covenant:

Gods pledge (Genesis 15:718). Abrahams pledge (Genesis 17:914).
6

The Abrahamic covenant and us

The covenant rejected and renewed (Jeremiah 31:3133). The covenant extended to all people (Galatians 3:69).
Blessings
Promised land Posterity Priesthood Exaltation

Abraham
Genesis 13:1415 Genesis 15:5 Abraham 1:1819 Abraham 2:11

Us
D&C 63:20 D&C 132:3031 D&C 86:810 D&C 132:1920
7

The son of the covenant

The Lords promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:23, 46). Ishmael (Genesis 16:12).
God hears.

Isaac (Genesis 17:1621).

He laughs.

Abrahams great test

God did tempt Abraham (Genesis 22:1).

Abrahams great test

I believe there are those even in the Church who would say in their hearts that the test of Abraham is too much; that a loving God would not require such a thing of any man, least of all someone as faithful as Abraham. I put the question once to President Hugh B. Brown, when we were in Israel: Why was Abraham commanded to go up on that mountainand offer as a sacrifice his only hope for the promised posterity? President Brown wisely replied, Abraham needed to learn something about Abraham. Truman G. Madsen, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 9293
10

Abrahams great test

God did tempt Abraham (Genesis 22:1). Thine only sonwhom thou lovest (22:2). Genesis 22:5 see Hebrews 11:1719. 22:78. God will see for himself.

( akedah), the Binding.

22:14. Jehovah-jireh: the Lord will see / the Lord will provide.

11

Isaac and Christ

Offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son (Jacob 4:5).
Son. Sacrifice. Location. Carrying the wood. Obedience. Age. God provides the sacrifice.
12

What does it mean to us?

Temple motifs in the story.
The Lords people will be tested, chastened, and tried (D&C 101:45.)

Sacrifice essential to eternal life.

13

Necessity of sacrifice
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. Joseph Smith, 1843 (HC 5:555)

14

Necessity of sacrifice
Lectures on Faith 6:

15

Necessity of sacrifice

16

17

Necessity of sacrifice
We too, somehow, someday, must reach the point at which we hold our physical life cheap, or our eternal life dear, even to the point of being willing to lay our life down in the image and pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed are ye, said the Lord to the Prophet [Joseph Smith] early on, even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me,for you shall dwell with me in glory (D&C 6:2930). In 1843 the Prophet recorded the Lords words addressed to him: I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father (D&C 132:49). Truman G. Madsen, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 12526

18

Next week:
Isaac and Jacob

Genesis 2436