In Genesis 12, GOD makes a promise to Abram. Now, at last, the Abrahamic Covenant (first half) is about to be outlined.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 17:1-8
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Amen!
At last, GOD changes Abram’s name, after telling him to ‘walk before Me —blameless.’
As Abraham kneels before the One True GOD, he is promised:
i A name change
ii A covenant promise
iii To be the father of many nations
iv Many, many blessings
v To be exceedingly fruitful
vi He will sire kings
vii His descendants will also share in this same convenant
viii It will be an everlasting convenient
ix He will have the land of Canaan everlastingly, for himself, for his heirs, and successive generations.
These are the promises GOD makes to Abraham. This is called the Abrahamic Covenant, a commitment from GOD to this 99 year old man: that he and all his generations after him will be blessed.
GOD considers who are Abraham’s descendants
Years after Abraham passed away, and Moses was the appointed leader of Abraham’s descendants, it is clear who those descendants are:
“Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:6) This is reiterated throughout scripture.
Although earlier in Genesis, GOD promised to Hagar (and told Abraham) that Ishmael would father twelve tribes, it is clearly expressed that it is only Isaac and his son Jacob who are the heirs of GOD’s Promise to Abraham; it is their descendants who will inherit the blessings from the Abrahamic covenant, including the land.
The Hebrews — today the Jews — were and are the offspring of Abraham; they are the people with whom GOD holds a covenant which continues even today.
And where did they settle?
The land of Canaan (now Israel and surrounding) was granted to them in perpetuity. Today significant land in the centre of the Middle East, is the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. It includes what is now known as Israel. It extends beyond, including into what is known today as Lebanon and Gaza and Jordan.
GOD’s covenant with Abraham is eternal. It has no end. The only condition was that Abram “walk before [GOD] and be blameless.” All his descendants would be blessed as a result.
So what this means is the people whose father is Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are under GOD’s blessing. And the land of Canaan is the converted land chosen for them.
What does this Abrahamic Covenant mean for Jesus’ followers today?
Romans 4:1-3 says, “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.””
Abraham was not chosen because of his actions but because of his faith.
Hebrews 11:8-10, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
It is by faith that GOD chose Abraham, and it is by faith anyone can be one of GOD’s children.
Who are Abraham’s Heirs?
When we read Romans 11 we see that the believers, having faith in Jesus, are Abraham’s offspring, grafted in, along with the Jewish descendants of Abraham.
All who follow Jesus are heirs of Abraham’s promise
What does that mean? It means Believers are adopted into Abraham’s family.
The blessings which fall upon the Jewish people are accessible, inherited also by all those who follow Jesus.
Just as Abraham had faith in GOD, so we who believe in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, receive the inheritance by faith. And it is by this faith that we are a part of GOD’s family.
Hallelujah! Who are the heirs of GOD’s promise? He has not forgotten the Jews but He has also included Gentiles** who believe in His son. How gracious is Our GOD.
** Anyone of any nation, creed, colour, background can be an heir — but only through Jesus