Why does Paul use Abraham as the example of faith?
Abraham is the epitome of faith, and the Abrahamic Covenant is the very benchmark of everything on which believers rest by faith and faith alone. The covenant promises in Genesis 12 show God's blessing and establish Abraham as the pattern for faith.
Les explains that since Paul is using Abraham as the epitome of faith, we should go back to Genesis chapter 12 to examine the Abrahamic Covenant. Les stresses that the Abrahamic Covenant is the most important part of the whole Old Testament, the very benchmark of everything on which you and I rest by faith and faith alone. In Genesis 11-12, God told Abram to leave his country, kindred, and father's house for a land God would show him. God promised to make of Abram a great nation—the nation of Israel—and to bless him materially as well as spiritually. God said He would make Abram's name great, bless those who bless him, curse those who curse him, and that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed. Les also notes he goes back further to Genesis chapter 3 to pick up that benchmark.
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
See the restNow the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
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