159. THE HOPE OF THE PROMISES MADE UNTO THE FATHERS

We have considered the history outline of the life of Abraham. Now we will consider the lessons from the great and precious promises made to this great man of faith, and to Isaac and Jacob.

The aim of this lesson is to see the importance of this promise to Abraham as the second of three great covenants upon which the Divine purpose is built. The first covenant was made in the garden of Eden where a promise was given of the seed of the woman who would conquer sin and death (Gen. 3:15). The third covenant was later made to King David of that same seed being the Son of David and Son of God who will reign as king on David's throne forever over all the earth (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Luke 1:30-35).

Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:8-21; 22:16-18; Galatians 3

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM

Abraham is referred to over seventy times in the New Testament alone, often because of his faith and confidence in God's promises. He is an ex­ample for us to follow (see Paul's comments in Rom. 4). More especially the apostle Paul taught that the GOSPEL was proclaimed to Abraham in those important promises that God made to him about two thousand years before Christ: "And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying, 'In thee shall all nations be blessed' " (Gal. 3:8). The word "Gospel" means "Good News" and surely God's purpose to bless all na­tions through Abraham is indeed good news.

The apostle Paul also showed that the promises to Abraham spoke of one particular seed, who is the Lord Jesus Christ who will fulfill the pro­mises (Gal. 3:16; Rom. 15:8). Here then are promises that speak of the Kingdom and an eternal inheritance of the land of Israel guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ. This hope is held out to all those who would be faithful "children" of Abraham. When these promises are fulfilled, all nations will be blessed. That is the foundation of the "Gospel" and is clearly very different from the church error that supposes that souls go to heaven at death. They are sadly ignorant of this "hope" of the gospel that teaches the Kingdom of God will be on earth.

DETAILS OF THE PROMISE

Abraham was a "stranger and sojourner in the land" looking forward to the future when the promised seed, the Lord Jesus Christ will be established as ruler over God's Kingdom. Abraham believed that even though he and his sons would die, God would raise them from the dead to see Christ in his Kingdom. They will inherit the land promised (Heb. 11:39, 40; Acts 7:1-3). He did not think that the many things he owned were really important compared with the eternal possession of a land in God's Kingdom.

He was not discouraged either by how long it took to fulfil God's pro­mises to Abraham and Sarah. At each stage more detail was seen until the complete picture was revealed. Let us then set out the build up of the Abrahamic promises and see the overall purpose of God:—

Genesis 12:1-3—At UR and HARAN the first promise and call was made:—

1. Abram was promised that he would become a great nation and that his name would become great;

2. God would bless those who blessed Abram, and curse those who curs­ed him;

3. God promised that in him all families would be blessed.

Genesis 12:7—At SHECHEM, after Abram had crossed over the River Euphrates leaving behind his country and family, God promised him a "seed" and a "land".

4. God promised Abram a seed who would inherit the land of Canaan.

Genesis 13:14-17—At BETHEL, after Lot departed to Sodom, God pro­mised a multitudinous seed to Abram who will possess the land for ever. Here is the first indication of a resurrection.

5. Abram and his seed would inherit the land over which he walked forever.

6. He is told for the first time that his seed will be made many.

Genesis 15—Although he had no child, Abram believed God's promise of a multitudinous seed and at HEBRON:

7. God made a covenant with Abram;

8. Abram was told the boundaries of the land promised.

Genesis 22:16-18—After being prepared to offer Isaac in obedience to God's command, Abraham was rewarded with a great promise sealed by a divine oath:—

9. Abraham's seed included a certain seed who will possess the gate of his enemies, i.e., would be victorious over his enemies;

10. In his seed all nations will be blessed;

11. The promise was confirmed by the oath, "by Myself have I sworn".

EXPLANATION OF THE PROMISE

1. The Singular Seed Of Abraham (singular = one).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure in the seed promised to Abraham. He is the one through whom the blessings will come (Matt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16). Abraham was promised that the one who will "possess the gate of his enemies" will bless "all nations of the earth". For this to be possible God must bring all nations under Christ's con­trol. Jesus Christ will rule over all nations (1 Cor. 15:25; Dan. 2:44). Jesus himself tells us that Abraham believed in what Christ would do when he said, "your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56).

2. The Plural Seed Of Abraham (plural = more than one).

Many passages speak of a multitudinous seed of Abraham being blessed. This seed developed out of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But to be counted as the seed of Abraham one does not have to be born a Jew. Fleshly descent from Abraham does not count. Rather, the children of Abraham are people who share the faith of Abraham (John 8:33-40; Rom. 9:6-13). That faith and obedience are what could be called "family likenesses" (Gal. 3:7-9). The greatest among the "family" is the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul shows that if we believe the Gospel and are baptised,we are baptised "into Christ" and also counted as "Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:27-29). We can then be included in the seed of Abraham who will inherit Christ's Kingdom for ever (Rev. 5:9-10; Matt. 5:5; Rom. 4:13-14). An essential part of that promise held out to us, is the pro­mise that our sins can be forgiven by baptism (Acts 3:25-26). That is an immediate blessing of the Abrahamic promises for those who become "children by faith" and who walk by faith like their "father" Abraham.

3. Inheritance Is Through Resurrection.

Abraham must have been impressed with the need for resurrection if he and his seed were to inherit the land/or ever. They, like us, were mortal men and women facing the certainty of death and the grave. For God's Word to be fulfilled, Abraham and his seed must be raised from the dead. Abraham has not yet entered into his inheritance (Acts 7:5). How do we know they shall be raised and receive their in­heritance? The assurance is in the personal resurrection of the Seed, the Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection guarantees that he shall return, that he shall raise the dead and that he shall reward the righteous (Acts 17:31; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8). His own resurrection guarantees the fulfilment of everything in the Abrahamic promises (Rom. 15:8).

4. The Promise Confirmed By Divine Oath.

God showed Abraham in a dramatic way that His promise of a multitudinous seed would come true. He made a covenant with Abraham by cutting a sacrifice and passing between the pieces, mak­ing a sign that His promise was sealed and would not change (Gen. 15:9-18).

When Abraham showed outstanding faith and obedience in his willingness to offer Isaac as commanded by God, he was rewarded with a wonderful promise given with a divine oath. Since God cannot give greater certainty to His Word than by giving an oath based on His own existence, Abraham received the greatest of all assurances. "By myself have I sworn, saith Yahweh, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine own son, that in bless­ing I will bless thee. . ." (Gen. 22:16-18). Thus the promises were confirmed and guaranteed in the most solemn and binding way possi­ble.

5. The Promise Repeated To Isaac And Jacob.

The same promise was made to Isaac and Jacob, Abraham's descendants (Gen. 26:3-4; 28:3-4, 13-14).

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Part 2, chapter 2

"Christendom Astray" (R. Roberts)—Lecture 9

"First Principles Bible Marking Course" (C.S.S.S.)—pages 57-62

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Explain the connection between the Gospel and the promises made to Abraham.

2. How can we hope to inherit the promises made to Abraham?

3. How important is resurrection in the fulfilment of the Abrahamic promises?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Show the importance of the Abrahamic promises in the purpose of God.

2. To show the developing details of God's promises made to Abraham in colour shade each of the verses in your Bible which give details of the promises.

3. Explain how the promises to Abraham point forward to Christ and to a multitudinous seed.