Abraham demonstrated faith by believing God's promise, even when it seemed humanly impossible, and God counted it to him as righteousness.
Despite being nearly 100 years old and Sarah being 90, Abraham trusted that God would fulfill His promise of a son and a nation. He did not stagger at the promise through unbelief but took God at His word, and this faith was credited to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 — This verse states that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, directly showing his faith.
Romans 4:19-21 — These verses describe how Abraham, against hope, believed in hope and was strong in faith, not wavering at God's promise.
In Genesis 15, God promised Abraham a nation of people, a land, and a kingdom. Abraham, childless, questioned God, but God brought him outside and told him to count the stars, saying his seed would be like them. Genesis 15:6 says, "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Romans 4:19-21 explains that Abraham, being not weak in faith, considered not his own body now dead (when he was about a hundred years old), nor the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that what God had promised He was able to perform. Genesis 17 records that when God reaffirmed the promise, Abraham laughed at the thought of a hundred-year-old man having a child, and suggested Ishmael, but God insisted that Sarah would bear a son named Isaac, and that His covenant would be established with him.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Abraham's faith was demonstrated by taking God at His word despite overwhelming odds. Abraham waited 50 years for the promise to be fulfilled, from age 50 to 100, and even though he made mistakes like having Ishmael, his faith was not weak. In Romans 4, Abraham is the example of the kind of trust God expects: believing against hope, not considering his own body's deadness, and not staggering at God's promise. Les points out that when Abraham suggested Ishmael, God corrected him, showing that the promise would come through Sarah. Abraham's faith was not based on circumstances but on the certainty of God's Word. Les also notes that Abraham's faith is a New Testament illustration of how we are to trust God—without adding anything to His promises.
God promised Abraham a nation of people, a land, and a kingdom, as mentioned in Genesis 15. This promise seemed impossible because Abraham and Sarah were childless and advanced in age. God later clarified that the heir would come from Abraham's own body, not from a relative like Lot.
When God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a son, Abraham laughed because he was a hundred years old and Sarah was ninety. He suggested that Ishmael might be the heir, but God corrected him, saying that Isaac would be the promised son through whom the covenant would continue.
Abraham had genuine hope even though it was against hope—meaning it was against all human reason. He knew that God would bring the promise to pass regardless of how ridiculous it seemed to the human intellect. This is a New Testament illustration of trusting God's word.
Abraham waited 50 years from the first promise to Isaac's birth. Les Feldick notes that God's wheels grind slowly but surely, and this delay tested Abraham's faith. Despite the long wait, God's promise was sure.
Abraham's Question to God
Les explains that Abraham reminded God of His promises, showing that he expected God to fulfill them even though he was childless.
Faith Against Hope
Les teaches that Abraham believed in hope against hope, trusting that God would bring the promise to pass despite human impossibility.
God's Promise Assured
Les emphasizes that God's promise to Abraham was valid despite his age and Sarah's, because God said He would do it.
Abraham's Laughter and Ishmael
Les shows that Abraham's suggestion of Ishmael was a human attempt to fulfill the promise, but God corrected him, affirming that Isaac was the promised son.
Not Weak in Faith
Les highlights that Abraham considered not his own body's deadness and did not stagger at the promise through unbelief.
The Long Wait
Les points out that Abraham waited 50 years for the promise, showing his faith was tested but God's word was sure.
Sovereign Promise of Isaac
Les underlines that God's covenant was established with Isaac, not Ishmael, showing that God's promise is sovereign.
Patience in Waiting
Les teaches that Abraham had to wait 50 years, and even though he made mistakes, God's promise was fulfilled in His timing.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This verse shows that Abraham's faith in God's promise was credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:19: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
Paul uses this to illustrate that Abraham's faith was strong because he did not focus on his physical condition.
Romans 4:20: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
This shows that Abraham did not waver in unbelief but was strengthened in faith.
Yes, Abraham laughed when God told him he would have a son at age 100, and he suggested Ishmael as a possible heir. However, God corrected him, and ultimately Abraham did not waver in his faith, as seen in Romans 4:20.
Abraham's faith is an example of taking God at His word without adding anything. Even when circumstances seemed impossible, he believed that God would fulfill His promise, and this faith was counted as righteousness.
Watch the Teaching: The Meaning of Adonai: Understanding God as Master