The Abrahamic Covenant Had Two Fulfillments

 

Physical Fulfillment:

•       Land: The land of Canaan (in the Middle East)

–        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 4:13 - It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

•       Seed: Christ and those who belong to Him by following Abraham’s example of faith

–     Galatians 3:16 - The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

–     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."