"Today, all three of the world's great monotheistic religions trace their origins to Abraham. Jews trace their history through the son of promise, Isaac. Christians see themselves as extended family through Jesus, whom Matthew introduces as 'the son of Abraham.' Abraham's lineage finds its way to Muslims through the son of rejection, Ishmael," writes Smith. With the patriarch Abraham the process of God's revelation to humanity begins. God enters human history in a new, profound, immediate way. In the book of Genesis we read, "The Lord said to Abram?." God initiated a dialogue with his creation. Why was this one man chosen from all the persons on the face of the earth to begin God's plan for our salvation? This issue of Scripture From Scratch explores the story of Abraham as recorded in the book of Genesis.