Abram Is Promised to Be Father of Many Nations
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/30/2018 PM
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Text:
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Genesis 17:3-8
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Psalters: |
426, 302, 243, 289 |
- The promise.
- First, the God of the covenant promised Abram that He would multiply him exceedingly (2).
- The promise has two parts.
- Physically, this is Abram’s natural seed: the seed of Ismael, of Esau, and of Jacob.
- Spiritually, Abram is the father of all believers (Rom. 4:11,16; 9:7,8; Gal. 3:7,16,29). And it also speaks of the King of kings, Christ Jesus the Lord.
- Second, the God repeats the promise to give to Abram and his seed the land of Canaan (8).
- In anticipation, God changes their names.
- The basis for these renewed and expanded promises is the fact that God establishes His covenant with Abraham and his seed.
- Notice that it is identified as “My covenant.”
- Further, God describes the relationship as His being “a God to thee” (cf. Ps. 63:1a).
- Jehovah is theirs in all His greatness, riches, and glory, and in His truth, righteousness, and grace.
- This makes clear that the covenant is a relationship of intimate communion/love, not a promise, a contract, or a way.
- And this makes Abraham and his seed to be God’s people, for it is a mutual fellowship: Friend/Sovereign with friend/servant.
- The implications.
- This assures Abraham that Jehovah will do all that is necessary to maintain the covenant and to realize His promises.
- And the same is true with respect to The Seed, the Messiah (Gal. 3:16).
- Those with whom the covenant is established may know God promises to maintain it forever: “everlasting.”