Religious Studies and Theology: The Old Testament Essay

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The Bible offers a collection of stories that explore past happenings involving God and his interactions with human beings. This book comprises two sections namely The New and Old Testaments. Even though, there are many Bible versions all of them offer similar coverage on past events. The Old Testament focuses on prophets and their relationships with God and human beings. On the other hand, the New Testament focuses on the work and life of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. In this reflection paper, a discussion is based on the story and encounters of Abraham as one of the greatest men in The Old Testament.

According to the readings “The Story of Abraham”, Abraham is regarded as the father and founder of today’s nations. From the outset, it should be noted that Abraham was a man of faith (The Patriarchs 139). He had unshaken faith in God starting from when his story begins to unfold in the Bible. God’s appearance to Abraham in a dream and advised him to wake up and travel to a foreign land is as strange as anything that can happen to human beings. However, Abraham was unshaken and did what God told him. Even though he never knew where he was going he pinned his hope in God to take him anywhere.

This reading, therefore, shows Abraham’s faith in God that supersedes all other personal issues (The Patriarchs 141). Abraham’s faith continues to develop, and his bond with God strengthens when he is asked to take his son to a place where he will offer sacrifice to God. Abraham did not hesitate or ask God where or what the sacrifice was. In addition, he was told to sacrifice his son, and he was ready to do so since he knew God will give him another son. Secondly, Abraham’s obedience is undoubted. He did everything he was told without hesitation or questions. This enabled Abraham to do everything according to how God wanted. The fact that Abraham left his homeland and went to a strange land shows obedience and trust in God (The Patriarchs 138). He was ready to sacrifice his son according to how God wanted regardless of the truth that he had Isaac as his only child. Despite his old age, God gave him a son called Isaac.

In addition, Abraham’s faith and obedience to God was rewarded with promises that until now continue to be fulfilled. Abraham has many descendants just like the number of stars in the sky. His nation and family continue to receive blessings long after his death. There was an unusual relationship between God and Abraham and this is a good reason to justify Abraham’s faith in God. On the other hand, Abraham went out of God’s way by trying to fulfill his promise. He gave false information regarding his relationship with Sarah in order to save his people. Even though, these actions were done ignorantly they were meant to strengthen his relationship with God.

Abraham was a man of faith and his actions were unequalled to those of his peers in the Bible. His relationship with God was without doubt one of the greatest in the Bible. Therefore, this proves Abrahams obedience, faith and respect for God’s word. Even though, Abraham did some “sinful” things they were for the best interest of his life and his covenant with God.

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IvyPanda. 2022. "Religious Studies and Theology: The Old Testament." February 2, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/religious-studies-and-theology-the-old-testament/.

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