Abraham

Abraham lived over 3,000 years ago. He was married to Sarah, and is often thought of as the Father of all Jewish people. He was a man of great faith. God asked him to leave his home and travel hundreds of miles away to a new home. When he started the journey he didn't know where he was going but he trusted God to lead him.

On another occasion, he was asked to choose between his love for his son and obedience to God. He chose to obey God even though it meant his son could be killed. At the last minute his son was saved! Abraham was happy because he had obeyed God and kept his son safe - his faith was rewarded. It was especially hard because his son was a fantastic gift from God in the first place.

Sarah did not think she would be able to have children because she was very old but, amazingly, even though people thought it was impossible, she did have a baby. The thought of having a little baby even though she was an old lady amused her so much that the boy was called Isaac - which means 'laughter'.

Abraham had so much courage and faith that even many years later he had a special place in people's hearts. In James 2:23, which is a book in the New Testament part of the Bible we read these words, "And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: 'Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.' He was even called the friend of God." (New Living Translation)