Who Was Abraham?- His Background

 Born in the year 2018 B.C.E., Abraham grew up in Ur.  (Genesis 11:27-31) Ur was a large and prosperous city. It was also steeped in idol worship. Abraham's father, Terah may have been among those who worshipped various idols. (Joshua 24:2)  Yet, Abraham chose to direct his worship solely to Jehovah rather than to the lifeless idols of other gods.

What moved Abraham to make that decision?  Well, his life overlapped that of Noah's son Shem by 150 years.  If he associated with that much-older man, how might he have been affected?  Abraham could have learned firsthand from Shem what it was like to survive  the global Flood. He may also have learned the importance of worshipping Jehovah, the God who had preserved Shem and his family through that Deluge.

Whether it was through Shem or by some other means, Abraham responded favorably to what he learned about the true God.  When Jehovah, "the examiner of hearts," observed Abraham, he saw something good in the man-and he helped to make the good grow. - PROVERBS 17:3; 2 CHRONICLES 16:9.

Next time: Who Was Abraha,? - His Life

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