Humility: Abraham
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Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, revered as the patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. His life, as chronicled in the Book of Genesis, provides profound insights into the virtue of humility, a quality that defined his relationship with God and others.

Call and Obedience

Abraham's journey of faith begins with a divine call. In Genesis 12:1-4 , God commands Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father's household to go to a land that He would show him. Abram's response is immediate and unquestioning obedience: "So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran." This act of leaving behind all that was familiar demonstrates Abraham's humility, as he submits to God's will without seeking his own comfort or understanding.

Intercession for Sodom

Another significant instance of Abraham's humility is seen in his intercession for Sodom. In Genesis 18:22-33 , Abraham approaches God with reverence and boldness, pleading for the city. He acknowledges his own unworthiness, saying, "Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27). Despite his intimate relationship with God, Abraham remains aware of his human limitations and approaches God with a humble heart, seeking mercy for others.

The Sacrifice of Isaac

Perhaps the most profound demonstration of Abraham's humility is his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, as commanded by God in Genesis 22. Abraham's readiness to obey, even when it meant giving up his beloved son, reflects a deep humility and trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. In Genesis 22:12 , God acknowledges Abraham's faith and humility: "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me."

Interactions with Others

Abraham's humility is also evident in his interactions with others. In Genesis 13, when a conflict arises between his herdsmen and those of his nephew Lot, Abraham offers Lot the first choice of land, saying, "Please, let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. For we are brothers" (Genesis 13:8). This gesture of selflessness and peace-seeking highlights Abraham's humble character, prioritizing relationships over personal gain.

Covenant with God

Throughout his life, Abraham's humility is intertwined with his covenant relationship with God. In Genesis 17, God establishes His covenant with Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations. Abraham's response is one of worship and submission, as he falls facedown before God (Genesis 17:3). His humility is further demonstrated by his obedience to the covenant's requirement of circumcision, which he carries out on himself and his household without delay (Genesis 17:23-27).

Abraham's life serves as a testament to the power and importance of humility in one's walk with God. His willingness to submit to God's will, intercede for others, and prioritize peace and relationships over personal ambition exemplifies the essence of humility as a foundational virtue in the life of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 18:27
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken on me to speak to the LORD, which am but dust and ashes:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Abraham, his trial in Egypt, his humility. unselfishness,
[4]146; a pattern husband, [5]155; his hospitality, [6 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Prayer and Humility
... the attitude of Abraham, the friend of God, when pleading for God to stay His wrath
against Sodom! "Which am but sackcloth and ashes." With what humility does ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... Sodom's fate was for a while stayed by Abraham's praying, and was almost entirely
relieved by the humility and insistence of the praying of this man who ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/iii abraham the man of.htm

Whether Humility is a virtue?
... lowest place according to his mode: thus Abraham said to the Lord (Gn.18:27), "I
will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes." In this way humility is a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether humility is a virtue.htm

The Saints as Examples of Humility.
... Chapter XVII."The saints as examples of humility. ... Abraham was specially honoured,
and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly regarding the glory of ...
/.../chapter xvii the saints as examples.htm

The Saints as Examples of Humility.
... Chapter XVII."The Saints as Examples of Humility. ... Abraham was specially honoured,
and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly regarding the glory of ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xvii the saints as examples.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... The humility as well as the piety of the patriarch is observable: he saddled ... But
Abraham fought no such evasion, and therefore, like an Israelite indeed, in ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Psalm CXXX. (CXXXI. ).
... We must strike a middle course, then, between humility and exaltation, so that we
may ... We are told that when Isaac was weaned Abraham made a feast because now ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm cxxx cxxxi.htm

Psalm XCIII.
... from Noah unto Abraham: the third, as the third day, from Abraham unto David ... But
all strength is in humility: because all pride is fragile: therefore when He ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciii.htm

How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it ...
... not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have
mercy ... things have indeed a show of wisdom in superstition and humility, and for ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xix how those who.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about humility? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ego? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Humility

Humility is Before Honor

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints

Humility: Abraham

Humility: Afflictions Intended to Produce

Humility: Ahab

Humility: Blessedness of

Humility: Centurion

Humility: Christ an Example of

Humility: Cornelius

Humility: David

Humility: Elihu

Humility: Elisabeth

Humility: Elizabeth

Humility: Excellency of

Humility: Exemplified

Humility: General Scriptures Concerning

Humility: Gideon

Humility: Hezekiah

Humility: Isaiah

Humility: Jacob

Humility: Jeremiah

Humility: Job

Humility: John

Humility: John the Baptist

Humility: Joseph

Humility: Joshua

Humility: Josiah

Humility: Leads to Riches, Honor, and Life

Humility: Manasseh

Humility: Mephibosheth

Humility: Moses

Humility: Necessary to the Service of God

Humility: Paul

Humility: Peter

Humility: Saints should be Clothed With

Humility: Saints should Beware of False

Humility: Saints should Put On

Humility: Saints should Walk With

Humility: Temporal Judgments Averted By

Humility: The Who Have are Greatest in Christ's Kingdom

Humility: The Who Have: Delivered by God

Humility: The Who Have: Enjoy the Presence of God

Humility: The Who Have: Exalted by God

Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

Humility: The Who Have: Lifted up by God

Humility: The Who Have: Receive More Grace

Humility: The Who Have: Regarded by God

Humility: The Who Have: Upheld by Honor

Humility: Want of, Condemned

Humility: Woman of Canaan

The Humility of Christ: Declared by Himself

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Associating With the Despised

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Becoming a Servant

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Birth

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Entry Into Jerusalem

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Obedience

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Partaking of Our Infirmities

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Poverty

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Refusing Honors

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Station in Life

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Ordinances

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Washing his Disciples' Feet

The Humility of Christ: His Exaltation, the Result of

The Humility of Christ: On Account of, he Was Despised

The Humility of Christ: Saints should Imitate

Related Terms

Gentleness (17 Occurrences)

Feet (2931 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Down (12601 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Victoriously (1 Occurrence)

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Opposed (23 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)

Implanted (3 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Trials (11 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Tolerance (2 Occurrences)

Tested (80 Occurrences)

Resist (23 Occurrences)

Resists (4 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

Exists (18 Occurrences)

Downwards (2 Occurrences)

Devotion (17 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Malign (6 Occurrences)

Prostration

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Promoting (2 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Predestination

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Prize (13 Occurrences)

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints
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