Leadership: Part of the Jew's Covenant with God

 Very interestingly, we'll note that Hashem's covenant with Avraham is coupled with the statement, "hithalech lefanai," or walk before me. That would connote that part of the Jew's pact with Hashem, a pact that circumscribes us being the chosen nation, and exclusively guaranteed stewardship over the land of Israel, is the willingness of each and every Jew to "step up to the plate" and maximize his or her abilities for the betterment of the world. Hashem's words to Avraham came at a very sensitive time; things were not looing up for him. His wife, Sarah, had not been able to bear child; she had given Hagar, her maidservant to Avraham in turn. Avraham at that point was certainly at an ebb; things did not seem crystal clear - and, as such, it was precisely at that time that Hashem called on Avraham to foster, or conjure up leadership, making in the namesake of our people, a national treasure and responsibility, to see through the darkness, to walk before God, as did Avraham, the forbearer of our people.