The Abrahamic Covenant Had Two Fulfillments |
Physical Fulfillment:
Land: The
Genesis 17:8 - The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting
possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their
God."
Seed: The
numerous offspring or descendants (seed) that would come through Isaac
Genesis 15:5 - He took him outside and said, "Look
up at the heavens and count the stars-- if indeed you can count them."
Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Genesis 21:12 - But God said to him . . . it
is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.
Blessing: Abraham
would be blessed by God and would be a source of blessing to others
Genesis 12:2b-3 - "I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be
blessed through you.
Spiritual
Fulfillment
Land: The new heavens
and new earth
Hebrews 11:9,10,16 - By faith [Abraham] made his home in the promised land like a
stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who
were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city
with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
. . they
were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one.
Romans
Seed: Christ and
those who belong to Him by following Abrahams example of faith
Galatians
Romans 4:16 - Therefore, the promise comes by faith . . . to all Abraham's offspring-- not
only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Galatians 3:7 - Understand, then, that those who believe are
children of Abraham.
Blessing: The
salvation of all nations (the Gentiles) through faith in the gospel
Galatians 3:8 - The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the
Gentiles by faith,
and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed
through you."