Abraham
Abraham (Hebrew אַבְרָהָם) lived in Ur approximately 1800 BC. Credited in the Bible as the father of Judaism and the other Abrahamic religions. Held up as an example of faith to all Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Abraham migrated to Canaan in obedience to God's command. In the Bible, Abraham had two important children, Ishmael and Isaac. The descendants of Ishmael became the Arabs while the descendants of Isaac became the Israelites.
Abraham was married to Sarah. However, Abraham's first son Ishmael was half Egyptian and was the illigitimate son of Sarah's slave girl Hagar. (Genesis Ch.16 v1-5). Abraham later threw Hagar and Ishmael out of house and home with the Lord's blessing. (Genesis Ch. 21 v. 8-13). Abraham was eighty-six when Ishmael was born. (Genesis Ch.16v.16). Incredibly Abraham was one hundred years old when he fathered his second son Isaac and Isaac's mother Sarah was ninety! (Genesis Ch.16 v. 17-18). Abraham took part in what may be the first recorded case of child abuse when, on God's command, he took his son Isaac up into the mountains, tied him up, made him lie on a bundle of sticks and threatened him with a knife.(Genesis Ch.22 v.1-12). At the last minute God instructed Abraham not to sacifice his son; however one may only guess as to the traumatic impact this would have had on the young Isaac. This is the first example of someone in the bible proving their trust in God, our Lord and Savior.
