God called Abram.

We must sense the magnitude of that moment. This single event of the remote past opened up an unbroken history that will continue far into the distant future. Abram’s life holds incredible meaning for every human being. He was a well-known world figure anciently. He soon will be a sought-after international figure at Jesus Christ’s return. It is vitally important that we come to know the history of this remarkable man. His chronicle is the prologue to ancient Israel’s history. It is more. Abram’s life is the earliest beginning of Church history that extends out to the time of new Jerusalem. In fact, Abram is destined to be a major leader of that city.

Our modernist historians have concealed the incredibly fascinating accounts of his life. Most scholars claim that he (along with his ancestors listed in Genesis 11:10-26 and descendents listed in Genesis 12-50) was a mythological hero—the stuff of Jewish legend. Others admit that he existed but claim he was a backward, donkey-riding nomad poking along dusty trails between Canaan and Egypt.

Abram, whose name God later changed to Abraham, was an intelligent, well-educated, very wealthy man. This may sound shocking, but non-biblical sources also tell us he was an expert in mathematics and astronomy—a deep-thinking scientist. Of course, the Bible focuses on the fact that he became an obedient servant of God. When we put the whole picture together, we learn that, like the nation that sprang from him, he wielded a powerful influence on the world of his day. In fact, this man of history became a man of amazing destiny.

History Purposely Hidden

Here is one example of how modern history books answer inquiries about him. “As to the question whether these figures are individuals or personifications, the individuality of Abraham is the most strongly marked of the three, so that he must be considered a historical personality …” (The Cambridge Ancient History, Third Edition, vol. ii, part 2). Although dragging his feet, this writer admits Abraham did exist. But then, in the same sentence, he states his son Isaac and grandson Jacob are not historical figures.

Can this writer establish a date for the life of Abraham? Read this next quote carefully. The writer references a history-changing battle that Abraham won against four Assyrian kings. “It has proved a delusion to think that the story of the struggle of Amraphel King of Shinar, Arioch King of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer King of Elam, and Tidal king of the ‘nations’ or the land of Goyim, against five petty kings in the region of the Dead Sea might be a basis for a fixed date for Abraham and therefore for the other patriarchs” (ibid., emphasis mine). The writer is calling into question a major historical event in Abraham’s time discussed in Genesis 14. The Apostle Paul refers to this same event in Hebrews 7:1. Essentially, modern historians say one would be crazy to believe that a date can be fixed for Abraham’s life.

What is the writer’s conclusion about Abraham’s history? Don’t expect anything positive. “So the patriarchs remain figures enshrouded in mists and shadows, and historical conclusions as to their character are hard to reach” (ibid.).

If we believe historians, it becomes terribly discouraging. According to historians, why bother studying the history of Abraham? We are led to believe that his life is lost in fog and darkness and that we can know nothing about the events in his life or his character—when just the opposite is true. It is time to clear the fog and let light shine on Abraham’s illustrious life.

Historical-Minded Hebrews

We have a choice. We could accept the prejudice of scholars and remain ignorant. Or we can believe what the Bible reveals about this man. Remember, Herbert W. Armstrong taught that one third of the Bible is history. Since it is God’s Book, He specifically chose what history went into it. This sacred history concerns primarily Israel. It is important to note that in writing the Bible, God used mostly Israelites. This fact has caused critics to fault the Bible as being a compilation of myth and legend. However, we must recognize that the people of God were vigilant and accurate about their history.

David S. Noss, author of A History of the World’s Religions, writes, “Being socially sensitive, the Hebrews were historical-minded, and not in any casual or intermittent way, but steadily. This fact needs stressing.” Why were the Hebrew people so focused on history? God inspired them to be so. They were responsible for preserving the historical record of God’s dealings with them—not just for themselves, but for all mankind. We can depend fully on the Bible’s history.

In the Bible, God also reveals key slices of historic events from other nations as they came in contact with Israel. Assyria, Babylon and Egypt are mentioned quite often. But God also expects us to fill in the details from secular history. In other words, God gives us fantastic clues for further study if we are willing to put them together. We will do just that in this series of articles. We’ll start with what the Bible reveals about Abraham and then look at what secular sources have to add about his life.

Here is a critical point of fact. If Abraham did not live, you do not have a Savior. A key element of Bible history is its genealogies. Matthew opens his Gospel with Christ’s genealogy. He writes: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren” (Matthew 1:1-2). Notice that Matthew asserts the historical fact that Jesus Christ is the son of David and the son of Abraham. This apostle of God also asserts the historicity of Isaac, Jacob and the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. He takes great effort to put the genealogy of Christ’s life together for us. Being a former tax collector, Matthew understood the need to keep accurate records. He does a masterful job of condensing the first four chapters of 1 Chronicles for us. Matthew also recorded in detail the fulfillment of specific promises made directly to Abraham. In Genesis 17:6, God promised Abraham: “… kings shall come out of thee.” David and his family of sons certainly fulfilled a part of that promise. Jesus Christ is the King of all kings from that promise. And in Genesis 12:3, God promised Abraham, “… in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This promise to Abraham was a direct reference to the messiahship of Christ. It makes sense that Christ must be a son of Abraham.

Christ Confirms Abraham’s History

Jesus Christ directly confirmed Abraham’s history. He repeatedly speaks of Abraham in the Gospels. When at Capernaum, Jesus was truly amazed by the faith of a centurion. The Roman soldier’s servant was sick. He requested that Christ heal him. Christ offered to go to the centurion’s home, but the soldier expressed great faith that Christ only had to give the command to heal the servant. Jesus Christ responded, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:10-12). Jesus Christ states emphatically here that Abraham (along with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob) lived.

It is also helpful to study John 8:30-59. Christ was in the process of revealing new truth to the people; He told them that the truth would make them free (verse 32). What should have been an incredible blessing to them turned into a wrangle. The people snapped back that they were Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to any man (verse 33). Of course, the people were in deep bondage to sin (and to the Romans). Jesus Christ confirmed that they were the descendents of Abraham. He said, “I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you” (verse 37). Jesus Christ had to reprimand them because they would not accept His words given to Him by God the Father. He told them plainly that they were doing the work of their father the devil. The people became even angrier. They yelled back at Christ, “Abraham is our father” (verse 39). He answered: “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (verse 39). In this truly wonderful chapter, Jesus Christ clearly demonstrates that Abraham was a real, living human being.

As the argument with the people continued, Jesus Christ revealed that He had personal and intimate knowledge about Abraham and said he was a man of great character. Most of the people of Christ’s time did not have Abraham’s character. Jesus told them so. Spend time studying these passages. At the end of the chapter, Christ told the people, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (verse 56). The people could hardly take it. They became incensed with Christ. They responded: “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?” (verse 57). Christ answered them with the greatest truth a person can come to know. He said, “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (verse 58). Christ’s response should have sent them to their knees with thanks. But rather, the people decided to stone Him. This chapter should eliminate all doubt that Abraham existed.

The Apostle Paul taught that Jesus Christ came “to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Romans 15:8). Confirming the promises includes confirming the lives of the men who held onto those promises. Let’s not be fooled by modern historians or modern scholars. Abraham lived. His life holds many lessons for us.

(to be continued next Friday)