"Abraham"
Nehemiah 9:7-8
Throughout the Word of God, Abraham is
held before us as an example of faith. The Lord God called Abraham, "My
Friend" (Isa. 41:8). He was a man. But he was "the friend of
God" (Jas.
When the Levites in Nehemiah's day offered
praise to God as the sons of Abraham and sought his blessings upon them, they
gave God praise for five things in particular which he had done for Abraham.
Now, remember, if you are a believer, you are one of Abraham's spiritual
children. And what God has done for our father Abraham he has done for us in
Christ. The blessing of Abrahm has come upon us through the blood of Christ
(Gal.
1. "Thou art the Lord God who didst
choose Abram." Abraham was sovereignly chosen by God to be the object of
his grace. He passed by many. But the Lord chose Abraham. Had God not chosen
him, he would never have chosen God (John
2. "And broughtest him forth out of
3. "And gavest him the name
Abraham." God changed his name because he was a converted man, converted
by grace (I Thess. 1:9).
4. "And foundest his heart
faithful." Abraham was made a new creature in Christ. Grace imparted to
him made him a faithful man. Because he was preserved by grace, he persevered
in faith (Phil. 1:6).
5. "And madest a covenant with
him." All that God did for Abraham he did by covenant promise. His
blessings were all sure, covenant blessings, sealed to him by God's
immutability (Eph. 1:3; II Tim. 1:9).
Don Fortner