Abraham was called by God and he “obeyed” (Heb. 11:8). Abraham was 75 years old (Gen. 12:4). In Genesis 12:6-7, Abraham built an altar to worship God. In Genesis 12:8, he moved to the mountain and built another altar to call on the Lord. After spending time in Egypt, in Genesis 13:4, Abraham came back to the altar and called on the name of the Lord. After the slaughter of the kings in chapter 14, he gave a tithe to Melchizedek and was blessed (14:18-20). Chapter 15 begins with God telling Abraham, “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (15:1), and then promising him a son and descendants (15:2-5). Abraham’s faith had been obedient for many years. (He’s 86 years old in 16:16.) The verse often quoted to prove “faith only” actually is in the context of a book (Romans) of faith-filled obedience and a man (Abraham) of many years of faith-filled obedience.
It’s interesting that James also quotes Genesis 15:6 and mentioned the scripture was fulfilled in James 2 verse 23 “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God”,
Notice the word “fulfilled” that James uses. He also says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (verse 24). Does he say these verses before or after he mentions about Abraham offering Isaac?
James also alludes to how “by works” Abraham’s “was faith made perfect?” (Verse 22), the greatest being his offering of his beloved son of promise, Isaac, upon an altar as a sacrifice in obedience to the command of God (verse 21; cf. Genesis 22:1-18). He thus was the friend of God (verse 23).
