And it came to pass
The spiritual experience of Abraham was marked by four great crises, each of which involved a surrender of something naturally most dear. These were:
(1) Country and kindred (Genesis 12:1); (Matthew 10:34-39); (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
(2) His nephew, Lot; especially dear to Abraham by nature, as a possible heir and as a fellow believer (2 Peter 2:7); (2 Peter 2:8); (Genesis 13:1-18). The completeness of Abraham's separation from one who, though a believer, was a "vessel unto dishonour," is shown by; (Genesis 15:1-3); (2 Timothy 2:20); (2 Timothy 2:21); (Acts 15:36-40).
(3) His own plan about Ishmael (Genesis 17:17); (Genesis 17:18); (1 Chronicles 13:1-14); (1 Chronicles 15:1-2).
(4) Isaac, "thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest" (Genesis 22:1-19); (Hebrews 11:17); (Hebrews 11:18).