Abrahamic Covenant
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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This covenant involves a collection of promises,and is applicable not only to Abraham, but to his offspring (with the word used in the widest sense possible).
- Some of the promises are conditional: Their application to Abraham and his offspring would depend on what Abraham and his offspring did.
- Some of the promises are unconditional: They apply no matter what Abraham and his offspring do.
See also: Land Given to Abraham.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PASSAGES (there are others):
Related to Abraham Himself
What Abraham (Abram) was to do: Obey God and go to Canaan.
What God was going to do... It is comprised of three parts:
- 1) Abraham is to be blessed and to be a blessing to others.
- 2) Furthermore, others will be blessed or cursed (by God), depending on how they treat Abraham (& his offspring).
- 3) Finally, all the "families" (clans or tribes) of the earth will be blessed through him. (As history progresses, we discover that this last part is accomplished by Jesus Christ.)
(At this point, Chapter 15 has not been included in this study.)
Genesis 17:1-27 - The rite of circumcision is initiated as a sign or reminder of their commitment to obey God.
- The Significance of Circumcision
Related to Isaac
Genesis 26:1-33 - God's covenant promise to Abraham is the basis for the blessings Isaac receives. It does not depend on Isaac deserving to be blessed!
Related to Jacob (also called Israel)
Genesis 30 & 31 (selected verses) - God blesses Jacob, no matter what others do. (He also blessed Laban, until Laban began to mistreat Jacob.)
- In this passage, Jacob does what appears to be a superstitious act, and God blesses even through that (doing what the superstition would say would happen).
ALSO (another example) - Potiphar blessed because of Joseph.
Other Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- Some of the blessings from obedience - plenty of offspring; God's covenant (probably a reference to the Abrahamic Covenant) in effect.
- If they repent, after disobeying (and being punished), God will remember his promises to the patriarchs, and will not totally reject them.
- It's NOT because you were great (or deserving). Rather, it's because God made promises to your forefathers (which he will fulfill).
- God gives them the land/wealth, etc., "that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers."
- (implied) The results of ongoing rebellion... the judgment will be so severe, that it will almost be as though the covenant is being undone/reversed.
- As they were preparing to enter Canaan, God made a covenant with them, so that he could establish them (etc.) in accordance with the promises made to their forefathers.
- When the righteous king rules: "Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed." (v. 17b) This line is a reminder of the promise God made to Abraham - Genesis 12:3, etc.
- God remembered his covenant to Abraham; that is, he did what he promised he would do. (This is a reason for praise, prayer, and expressions of devotion and loyalty to God. Also obedience to God.)
- After God judged Israel and they repented of their sins: Psa 106:45 "He remembered for them his covenant, ..." He treated them according to his loving-kindness.
- No other nation was given the redemptive Word of God ("his statutes and his ordinances"). Israel received this Word because of God's covenant promise to Abraham (their forefather), not because they deserved it more than any other nation.
- Isa 11:10 - It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious. / Isa 11:12a - He will set up a banner for the nations, ...
- All nations will benefit from his (Jesus') rule, as they look to him for guidance. This is an extension of God's original promise to Abraham, that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him.
- Also mentioned is the return of Israel to the land - God will gather them back.
- God had made promises to Abraham, and he would not break those promises. This is why Israel would not be totally destroyed. (Though these promises are not explicitly mentioned here, they are the reason for what he says in this passage.)
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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