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CHAPTER 1
ABRAHAM, The "FRIEND OF GOD"
More than two thousand years before Christ and nine generations after Shem, who was one of Noah's three sons, a man by the name of Abram appeared on the pages of the Word of God. This man became known as Abraham, the "friend of God", and we will see how he was given that great honor as our story unfolds.
Abraham believed in the Lord. He lived in a city called UR in southern Babylonia. The city of UR was not only very famous for its wealth and culture, but it was also a place of much idolatry.
When Abraham was seventy-five years old, the Lord called him and said to him, "Abram! Get out of your country and away from your relation and your father's household! I will make of you a great nation. Also, I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Furthermore, I will bless those nations that bless you, and I will curse those nations who persecute your people."
Abram was willing to go wherever the Lord would lead him, and leaving his own country was the first of four great challenges that would be given to him before he would be called God's friend.