A STUDY IN GENESIS
Chapter 17 has already provided us a remarkable and rather amazing truth that God comes to us, and we cannot come to Him unless He calls us. The first verse also sets the stage for something that is impossible. We are called to live perfect lives. However, God provides. Verses two and forward are God’s answer to the calling in verse one set up by Himself.
Genesis 17:2-8 “And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 “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. 8 “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.”
The reader might be tempted to just read and continue on, however, they would miss the magnitude of what God is doing here. God is making declarations that are going to shape world history. Let’s start reviewing each of them and see what is being brought to us.
First declaration, God is making a covenant with Abram and Himself. We know from Malachi 3:6 that God does not change, so if He makes a promise, He will keep it. God intends to multiply Abram’s descendants. What is ironic is that at this point, there is only Ishmael. The son of the slave woman, Hagar. As we have already discussed Hagar and the situation that led to Ishmael, I will not digress. Yet, we would be missing a valuable point if we did not identify that Ishmael’s descendants are also part of the blessing that is from God to Abram. Abram means “Exalted Father,” and the descendants of Abram through Ishmael are able to see how their father Abram was indeed loved and blessed by Abram’s Heavenly Father. Some have seen this, but I believe one day many more will.
Yet, we have more. Abraham and Sarah would have a son, and his name will be Isaac. This is the son of Abraham which means the “The Father of Many Nations.” What I find rather remarkable is that Abraham has several children; nevertheless, it is Ishmael and Isaac that the issues are most focused on. It is without question solved by the time you get to the end of Genesis. There is no debate, God chose the free woman and Abraham. The Jewish people come from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promises nations and kings from Abraham’s lineage. This lineage is indeed filled with nations and kings, but not as important as one of them. The King of Kings, Jesus the Messiah, would come from Abraham. For the believer in Jesus, we are a new creation, He being our Heavenly father, and in so our spiritual ancestor, in a sense, is Abraham. Some might find it strange that I am phrasing it in such a manner, but this, ironically, is a unique argument through the flesh to argue for something rather spiritual in nature. You see, those that are born again are related to Christ. His ancestry is now ours. This does not mean you as Gentiles (myself included) are now Jews, but rather something else. We are Children of God. God in His sovereignty designed it to be done through the flesh of Abraham. I must admit, this is something I still struggle to understand and recognize as a stumbling block for many who wish to replace Israel. May it never be, the promises to Israel are for Israel and not the Church. Did you know that there are promises to the Church that are not for Israel? Your homework is to go find those promises.
Nevertheless, the final act that we need to recognize is that these promises are forever, and that includes verse 8. The land is for Israel. Enough said on this, Christians who do not understand God’s word will argue for a Palestine; however, what they do not understand is that the land is not up for debate. Christians need to recognize that Israel is God’s land to the people of Israel, the Jewish people. I understand the nation of Israel has persecuted the Church, yet I do not care. My love for the Lord is built on Him, He says love and bless Israel so we love and bless Israel. This does not mean they get a free pass from God’s judgment. This means we are to be about His work, telling them the good news of Jesus Christ, as anyone else. We are all saved by the same faith, but the promises to the Nation of Israel are still present with God today.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL