If you are, say, leading a Bible study in Genesis, you might notice that right after the covenant is renewed and circumcision is established (ch 17) that we see Abraham eating and drinking with God (ch 18). After that meal, God makes a point of saying the he should share all his business with Abraham because of their relationship, and informs him of his intentions to judge a culture. Abraham immediately starts lobbying for concessions to spare the culture and wins them.

The story leaves Abraham for a chapter (19) and then comes back where we read God say this: “Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live.”

This is the first time the word, “prophet” is used in the Bible and it is associated with intercession rather than relaying messages from God. The role description certainly makes sense of what we see Abraham doing in interceding for the nations.

To be continued