What Prompted Abraham's Obedience?:

Heavenly Father shared some of his most sacred secrets with Abraham. He is called in the Holy Bible a friend of God, the father of believers, the father of the Israelite nation and an ancestor of the Messiah. Abraham was not only blessed, but also a blessing for all people. The great faith of Abraham fueled his obedience to God’s commands. This characteristic of obedience was prominent throughout his life.

Abraham’s first response of obedience occurred when God called him to leave his family and go to a place God promised for him. What did Abraham do? “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him.” Genesis 12:4 He “obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8 God gave Abraham a series of promises to help him have a strong agency. He promised Abraham that his family would be built into a great nation, that he would bless him and in turn that Abraham would be a blessing. God dealt with Abraham not by demanding obedience, but primarily by giving promises. As a result, Abraham was prompted to obey God by trusting in his promises.