With reference to two incidents in the life of Abraham examine the importance f faith of God n the life of Abraham.

  However, although this primary incident shows the extent of Abraham’s faith, it does not continue in the way.

  Part of God covenant with Abraham was the He would provide Abraham with a son.  Sarai did not believe she would be capable of bearing a son given her age so suggested Abraham used Hagar to have a child.  He did so.  Once Hagar fell pregnant she began to despise Sarai and Sarai treated her so badly that Hagar chose to leave.  God then talked to Hagar and told her to return, she did so and had a son, Ishmael.  Sarai adopted Hagar’s son as it was practice that all that belonged to the slave belonged to the master/mistress, including children.  Overall, this event shows a lack of faith in God on the behalf of Abraham.  This is because God had promised ham a son, Abraham did not believe Sarai would be capable of having a son so accepts his wife’s proposal and turns to Hagar.  He did not believe that God would provide, therefore showing he lacked faith.  Abraham took the mater into his own hands and did what he thought would work, without consulting God.  He was more interested in having a son than believing what God had promised him.  However, this could be seen in a different way – the covenant was still fulfilled, Abraham did end up with a son.  

  Having looked at two important incidents and Abrahams life, one good and one bad, it can be seen where Abraham had a lot of faith and where he lacks a great deal of it.  Therefore this shows a great contrast between how much faith Abraham actually has.  Out of the two examined, the Call was probably the most important as it was the first step towards God by Abraham, and he chose to take it.  When taking into account the rest of Abrahams life it can be seen that there is occasions where he did have great faith (e.g. sacrificing of Isaac) and where he did not have faith (e.g. Sodom and Gomorrah).  Showing that throughout the whole of his life the amount of faith Abraham had changed considerably.

How far may a study of the life of Abraham contribute to an understanding of early Hebrew religious life?

  Judaism is the religion of the world wide community of Jews, and its history traces back to 20th century BC and Abraham.  He is the father of the Jews.  Many of his actions influence the way Jews live and their actions chosen.  For example circumcision, sacrifice and alters.

  Circumcision represents a part of the covenant from God the Abraham.  God asked that Abraham would be circumcised when he with ninety-nine as a sing of the covenant between himself (and his descendents) and God.  This is still the practice now, so on the eighth day after birth Jewish boys have this done by a highly skilled practitioner called a mohel.  

  Sacrifice symbolises the event which occurred when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  However, Isaac was replaced by a ram.  This event marks the point at which God began to teach us the difference between Him and the bloodthirsty gods of ancient religions.  The story developed through the Passover experience in Egypt, and then through Levitical codes of the priesthood, sacrifice became a familiar routine.  It became a practical reminder of the principle of substitution that Isaac’s release had established.  Sacrifice was not longer just a way of appeasing divine anger, but a relief of personal guilt and the beginnings of the concept of soul cleansing.

  Alters signify Abraham’s movement from place to place.  This is because everywhere he moved he built an alter to show Gods ultimate importance.  Today, we use alters the pray to God, they are a sacred place of the church, often closed off to the general public as a sign of respect.

  In conclusion it can be seen that Abraham did contribute a considerable amount to early Hebrew religious life.  Jews circumcise their children; sacrifice an animal at Passover and worship at alters.  However,