Abraham the Great Prophet 2

Father and Son

 (6-75-83)(60-2-7)(19-40-48)(19-114)(26-86)

From childhood to manhood, Abraham was surrounded by various kinds of idols. His father was the chief priest in the temple; the knowledge about gods and their adventures were bedtime stories for him. When God chose him to be a prophet, he was shown the way the universe is governed, to strengthen his belief in one God. Now, inspired with God-given reasoning powers, he started to point out the weaknesses of idol worship.

Azar and Abraham were very close to each other, so the first step he took was to reach his father. He told him about the new light he had received and warned him about the dangers of idol worship. He also proclaimed that there is only one God who is the creator of the universe; idols cannot see or listen, and they cannot harm nor do any good to anyone. He wanted his father to follow him because he had had the true guidance, to leave the false gods and stop living under the shadow of misleading emotions. He was worried about his father’s safety. Abraham wanted to save his father from the harm that idol worship could bring upon him.

All Abraham’s tender feelings for his father were shaken by his father’s answer: “Are you talking against my gods? If you do not stop it I will order you to be stoned to death. Leave my house and don’t see me again!”

God’s new revelation to the son, which had completely changed his outlook, shocked the father. In the same way, the father’s harsh reaction surprised the son. However, he didn’t lose his temper, but answered politely, “I will try to help you to understand the truth.”

          Abraham prayed to God to save his father from the harms of his wrong choice; but he realized that his father had conceived no passion for truth. The only skill he had mastered was idol worshipping; without it he did not know what to do with himself. He could not overcome his prejudice against one supreme power governing the universe because it was not profitable for him.  When he found that the treasure of knowledge and virtue which had filled the vigorous soul of Abraham could lead him to a poorly filled purse, he rejected the idea of one God. The noisy intoxication of idol-worship had its effects; he was totally unable to resist the temptation of wealth and power. Moreover he had no desire to see and appreciate the truth which could turn him into a worthless pauper.  Abraham tried to fulfill his promise which he had made to his father, but his tender emotions and affectionate feelings for his father did not blur his insight; he realized that Azar was never going to accept one God. He had no desire to acknowledge the truth. He was an enthusiastic enemy of God; so without hesitation, Abraham left his father. With his renunciation he lost the respect, rank, and riches which he could have as a high priest.