In a world of paganism and self-definition of "truth", Abraham taught G-d consciousness, absolute truth, and the importance of morality. He and his wife Sarah die and are buried in the cave of Machpela- which Abraham purchased at great expense in order that it should be the burial place of our patriarchs and matriarchs (and it still is today).
Before Abraham dies however, he sends a messenger to find a wife for his son Issac, since finding the right mate is probably the most important decision anyone can make in life. Rebecca, who comes from a pagan background (King Solomon describes her as being a rose among the thorns), comes to Isaac as a holy person. They become married and build a home together in the land of Israel where they continue the tradition of teaching Monotheism, goodness, and morality. Isaac and Rebecca are the only ones of the patriarchs and matriarchs who never leave the land of Israel.
After Abraham's death, the leadership then passes to Isaac and Rebecca, because Abraham's other son Ishmael doesn't want the to take on the responsibilities and feeling of being alone in the world. Ishmael goes so far as reverting to paganism and crafts of violence, robbery, and subterfuge.
Taught by Rabbi Berel Wein - http://jewishhistory.org
Abraham and Sarah, in their old age, miraculously have a child named Isaac. Isaac, which in Hebrew means to laugh or chuckle, is a living reminder that G-d can make even the impossible come to fruition.
G-d then commands Abraham to sacrifice his precious son and Isaac passively agrees. It is written that they went together- and that is an ideal in Jewish life. Generations that can walk together in concert because they are bound together by the commitment to G-d, the common history, and the bonds of family- those are basic Jewish ideas which remain valid throughout the millenia and have brought the Jewish people until today.
G-d then reveals that it was never His intention for this sacrifice to actually happen- that human life is far too valuable to waste. Isaac is saved and then marries Rebecca...
Taught by Rabbi Berel Wein - http://jewishhistory.org
Rabbi Paysach Krohn 
