God's Covenant With Abraham

God called Abraham and made covenant with him. His covenant is about redemption and blessing for all people. This covenant was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the One He sent to reveal His way of righteousness, love and salvation. God makes those who share Abraham faith and believe in Christ the heirs of His kingdom. Galatians 3:29 - And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to His promise. The followings are discussed: God calls Abraham into Covenant; God Reaffirms the Covenant, and God fulfils the Covenant.

God calls Abraham into Covenant: Abraham was seventy five (75) years old when God called him to leave his home town to a place He would give him as a possession. God's plan was to make people know and serve Him for redemption of their lives. Abraham responded by faith and set out for the physical and spiritual journey to receive God's blessing. Abraham obedience caused him to loose the comfort of living with family and friends and go to an unknown place (Genesis 12:1-3). His willingness to step out in faith and obedience was a matter of trust and submission to receive the blessing.

Abram embarked on the journey of faith to the land God wanted to give him. He was directed towards the land of Canaan where he would settle down for the promise (Genesis 12:1-4).

God Reaffirms the Covenant: Ten years after Abraham started the Journey of faith God reaffirmed his promise that a great nation would emerge from his seed. He had thought of adopting one of his servants to succeed him after he had waited for long without having a child. But God reassured him that he would have the seed of Sarah's womb (Genesis 15:1-6). Abraham believed in God for the promise; he committed his life in God's hand and built personal confidence in Him, this made him a righteous man.

While he was expecting the child of promise, he began to question God when and how to have the promised child at his advanced age, God's answer was 'wait'. God can answer prayers in three different ways: yes, no and wait. Finally Abraham was led to the promised land, the land already occupied by nations that didn't know God, but which had to be claimed for God's purpose (Genesis 15:7,18-21).

God Fulfilled Covenant: God didn't break His covenant with Abraham even though Abraham and his wife Sarah disappointed Him when they planned to have a child through Hagar, their House Maid. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael who wasn't the covenant child. When Abraham was ninety nine years and his wife, Sarah was eighty nine years God affirmed his promise that Sarah would bear the covenant child. That time Abraham repented of unbelief and strengthened his trust in God. Thereafter God changed his name from Abram "exalted father" to Abraham "father of a multitude", and at the age of ninety his wife gave birth to Isaac.

God's promise to Abraham has the ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Through Christ believers are made the seed of Abraham and heirs of God, not only through physical, but also through spiritual means (Galatians 3:6-9, 16&29). By faith Abraham believed and trusted God for the seed of his bowel that would be for redemption of mankind. The "One Seed" that brings God's blessing to all people is Jesus Christ. He reconciled people to God and taught them His word. Those who belong to Christ will received eternal blessing God promised descendants of Abraham. Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-21; 17:1-22; 21:1-5; Galatians 3:6-29)