"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
synopsis
The miniseries traces Abram’s call from Ur to Canaan, his covenant with God, the long struggle with barrenness, the birth of Ishmael, the miraculous birth of Isaac, and ultimately the testing on Mount Moriah. It presents Abraham not as an unshakable saint, but as a man learning trust step by step — through doubt, delay, and difficult obedience.
The story spans decades, showing both the intimacy of family life and the enormity of divine promise.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
Richard Harris brings gravitas and weathered humanity to Abraham. His performance anchors the narrative in realism — this is a man who questions, hesitates, argues, and yet ultimately yields. Barbara Hershey’s Sarah is equally strong, portraying both laughter and heartbreak with depth.
What makes this adaptation particularly effective is its patience. It allows the covenant theme to unfold gradually. The promise of descendants feels abstract at first — almost impossible — and that tension sustains the drama.
The Mount Moriah sequence is handled with solemn restraint rather than spectacle. The emotional weight lies not in visual excess, but in the moral test itself: trust beyond comprehension.
It’s thoughtful, measured, and serious — an excellent foundation for the entire biblical narrative that follows.
Reflecting on faith amid uncertainty
Conversations about waiting and promise
Studying covenant theology
Quiet, intentional viewing
Absurdist's Corner
A man in his advanced years is told he will become father of nations — and responds by packing up everything and moving.
fun facts
Part of the TNT/RAI Bible Collection that also included Jacob and Joseph.
Filmed in Morocco to capture expansive desert landscapes.
Attempts to present Abraham as patriarch for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike.