United in Life and Death: The Journey of Abraham and Sarah

Abram was born in Ur of the Chaldees (Babylon area), a time filled with idolatry. His father's name was Terach, and his brothers were Nachor and Haran. While still in Ur, he married Sarai, a beautiful yet barren woman. After Haran's death, Terach led his family towards the land of Canaan but settled in Haran (Syria-Turkey region) until his passing. During his stay in Haran, Abram received a divine revelation instructing him to complete the journey his father began to Canaan. He was promised greatness and numerous descendants that would grow into a nation.

Abram was 75 when he left Haran for Canaan, accompanied by Lot, his nephew, Sarai, and their household. Upon arrival in Canaan, Abraham explored, built altars, and attempted to settle, but a severe famine forced him to continue to Egypt. There, Abram instructed Sarai to pose as his sister to avoid being killed for her beauty. Pharaoh, believing her to be Abram's sister, showered Abram with riches and took Sarai into his palace. Plagues afflicted Pharaoh's household, revealing the truth, and he sent Abram and Sarai away with their wealth.

Back in Canaan, Abram and Lot's households outgrew the land, causing their herdsmen to quarrel. For peace, they parted ways; Lot chose the sinful Sodom, while Abram resided at the Oaks of Mamre (near Hebron), where he built another altar to Hashem.

A great war erupted among local kings, including those of Sodom and Gomorrah, who lost and were looted. Lot was captured, but an escaped fighter warned Abram, who quickly mobilized trained men, defeated the captors, and rescued Lot and others. Returning victorious, Abram was met by grateful kings, including the King of Sodom, to whom he returned captives and goods.

After these events, Abram received another divine promise of a long life and a legacy for his descendants, who would inherit the land after a period of enslavement in a foreign land.

Abram's household included Hagar, Sarai's handmaid. Sarai, still barren, offered Hagar to Abram as a wife to bear his child. Hagar conceived but, feeling superior, looked down on Sarai. Distressed, Sarai complained to Abram, who allowed her to deal with Hagar. Sarai's harsh treatment led Hagar to flee, yet an angel advised her to return and foretold her son's future, whom she was to name Ishmael. Hagar returned, bore Ishmael, and Abram was 86 at his birth.

Thirteen years later, Hashem declared that Abram's innocence secured a covenant ensuring many descendants and eternal ownership of Canaan. Abram, renamed Abraham, was to circumcise every male. Sarai, now to be called Sarah, was promised a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant would continue. Abraham immediately circumcised Ishmael and all male household members.

One day, as Abraham sat at the tent's entrance in the Oaks of Mamre, three men appeared. He welcomed them, providing food, only to learn they were divine messengers announcing Sarah's forthcoming son, Isaac. Afterward, Hashem shared his plan to judge Sodom's sins. Abraham negotiated with Hashem to spare the city if even ten righteous individuals were found, but none existed, leading to Sodom's destruction, though Lot was spared.

Following the destruction, Abraham relocated to Gerar (southern Gaza region), repeating his sister-wife ruse. Abimelech, the local king, took Sarah but returned her upon discovering the truth, compensating Abraham generously. Abraham prayed for Abimelech, and the women of his household were blessed with fertility.

A century into Abraham’s life, the prophecy fulfilled: Sarah birthed Isaac. At eight days old, Isaac was circumcised, and upon weaning, Abraham hosted a grand feast in celebration.

Fearing Ishmael's negative influence on Isaac, Sarah asked Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, ensuring no share in the inheritance. Though distressed, Hashem instructed Abraham to comply, reassuring him of Ishmael's great nation. Providing them with bread and water, Abraham sent them away; Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the desert, where an angel of Hashem reassured her of Ishmael's destiny. Finding a well, Hagar gave her son water. Ishmael grew up as a skilled archer, settled in the Wilderness of Paran near Eilat, and married an Egyptian woman.

During that time, Abimelech's servants seized a well dug by Abraham. Following an investigation, Abimelech acknowledged Abraham's claim, leading to a covenant sealed by Abraham's gift of seven ewes, naming the place Beersheba. There, Abraham planted a tree and proclaimed Hashem's name, affirming his faith and promoting Hashem's presence. Abraham resided in Philistine lands for many days.

Subsequently, Hashem tested Abraham with the ultimate challenge - the binding of Isaac. Commanded to sacrifice his beloved son, Abraham complied, but a divine voice stopped him at the last moment, blessing him for his faithfulness. Abraham then sacrificed a ram in Isaac's place, receiving further promises of numerous descendants and blessings. He returned to Beersheba and settled there.

Sarah, ten years younger than Abraham (as noted in Genesis 17:17 and 21:5), died at 127, predeceasing him by many years. Abraham mourned and purchased the Cave of Machpelah as a burial site at significant cost.

With Sarah's passing, Abraham sought a wife for Isaac from his homeland, sending his senior servant on the mission. The servant found Rebekah, Nahor's granddaughter, known for her beauty and good character. Welcomed by her family, he explained his mission and Rebekah's virtues, wishing to secure her for Isaac. Rebekah agreed, marrying Isaac who loved her. Abraham also married Keturah, fathering more children, yet Isaac remained his primary heir.

"These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. He breathed his last and died, an old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the Cave of Machpelah, which Abraham bought from the Hittites, where Abraham and Sarah his wife were buried. After Abraham’s death, Hashem blessed his son Isaac."