People soon began to forget God. Even though the elders passed on some stories about the creation of the world, the flood and such events, people did not connect well with God through them. Over a period of time these stories themselves got distorted, and people began to make idols representing their own concepts of God. Some began to worship the elements of nature such as lightning, wind, sea, river, etc., of which they were scared and which they tried to appease, and some others created stories about supernatural beings. They forgot the Creator and began to worship created things and creatures of their own imagination.

Among the descendants of Shem, son of Noah, was a man called Abram. His father's name was Terah. Abram was also one who worshipped idols in a family of idol worshippers. His wife's name was Sarai. In His sovereign plan for the restoration of man to Himself, God chose this man Abram to start a new work after His attempts with Adam and Noah had failed. He called Abram to come away from his family and his native place, promising him to take him to a place He would show him. With this short acquaintance Abram had with God, he became willing to obey Him by leaving his parents, home and hometown and start his journey towards the Promised Land, even though he did not even know where it was! This is the man who trusted in God so much that people later called him the father of faith. At this time, Abram's nephew Lot also joined him and Sarai as they started on his journey. Abram and Sarai did not have any children at this time.