Abraham’s life seems curiously empty of accomplishment. With the exception of his intercession for Sodom, he doesn’t seem to have asked his friend God for anything. His relation to God was not mercantile, not utilitarian. He wasn’t taking pains to stay on good terms with God so he might get a good inheritance. His altar building doesn’t seem to have been an insurance policy against disaster. His altars were spontaneous acts of friendship and gratitude, expressions of respect.
