The Bible begins, as we all know, with the beginning - the story of creation, of God’s making his universe. But following the impressive story of the creation of the world, and then the majestic story of the creation of man (God "breathed into his nostrils, and man became a living soul"), sin was introduced into God’s beautiful world. The man, whom he had created, disobeyed and fell into sin; the image of God was tarnished; and fellowship with the Creator was interrupted. Eden became a "Paradise Lost."

In his infinite mercy and grace, God prepared a plan to redeem his lost creation. As a part of that redemptive plan, he chose one faithful man. Through that one man, he would build a nation, a nation to become the channel for his message of forgiveness and salvation. That man was Abraham.…