Topical Bible: Faith: Believing the Promise of Many Descendants

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Faith, in the context of the Bible, is often illustrated through the narratives of the patriarchs, particularly Abraham, who is frequently referred to as the "father of faith." The promise of many descendants is a central theme in the Abrahamic covenant, highlighting the profound trust and belief in God's promises despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Abraham's Faith and the Promise

The account of Abraham, originally Abram, is foundational in understanding faith as believing in God's promises. In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram to leave his country and promises to make him a great nation. This promise is reiterated and expanded in Genesis 15:5, where God tells Abram, "Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able. Then He told him, 'So shall your offspring be.'" Despite his advanced age and the barrenness of his wife, Sarah, Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

The promise of descendants is further solidified in Genesis 17:4-6, where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," and assures him, "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you." This covenant is marked by the sign of circumcision, a physical reminder of the spiritual promise.

Isaac: The Child of Promise

The birth of Isaac is a pivotal moment in the narrative of faith. Despite the improbability due to Sarah's old age, God fulfills His promise, and Isaac is born (Genesis 21:1-3). Isaac's birth is a testament to God's faithfulness and serves as a tangible manifestation of the promise of many descendants. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, as recounted in Genesis 22, further exemplifies his unwavering faith. God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute, and reaffirms His promise, saying, "I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore" (Genesis 22:17).

Jacob and the Twelve Tribes

The promise of many descendants continues through Isaac's son, Jacob, later named Israel. In Genesis 28:14, God promises Jacob, "Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south." Jacob's twelve sons become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel, further fulfilling the promise made to Abraham.

New Testament Reflections

The New Testament reflects on the faith of Abraham as a model for believers. In Romans 4:18-21, Paul highlights Abraham's faith, stating, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.'" This passage underscores the belief in God's promises as central to the Christian faith.

The promise of many descendants is also seen as extending beyond physical lineage to include all who share in the faith of Abraham. Galatians 3:7-9 states, "Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Conclusion

The biblical narrative of faith, particularly in the context of the promise of many descendants, serves as a profound testament to the power of belief in God's promises. Through the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, the Bible illustrates the enduring nature of faith and its fulfillment across generations.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, To your seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar to the LORD, who appeared to him.
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Genesis 15:4-8
And, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir.
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Library

The Illusiveness of Life.
... the very last, and all died in faith"not in ... which comes from this indestructible
power of believing in spite ... 2. This non-fulfilment of promise fulfils it in ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/vi the illusiveness of life.htm

Hobab
... his own power with which to fulfil the promise; and who ... any more argument, reason
enough for believing Me, you ... The heart and essence of Christian faith is doing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/hobab.htm

The Unity of the Church.
... in heaven; but what follows now from believing that all ... He will be merciful, over
and above His promise, to those ... kingdom and the maintenance of His faith as a ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xvii the unity of.htm

David's Gratitude
... the outpourings of wondering thankfulness and faith, that cannot ... Observe, too, how
echoes of the promise ring all ... has begun to open before his believing eyes. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/davids gratitude.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... without a promise; and that hath no promise to encourage ... his Son Christ Jesus; 'Being
justified by faith, we have ... it cometh not to the soul, but by believing. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Three Important Precepts
... do with you, whether it be rebuke or promise or command ... assist them, but may quietly
go on believing and enjoying ... thou shalt be saved." The way of faith is the ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/three important precepts.htm

The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... His promise has not failed, for it was not ... of the old and new covenant; faith; election;
calling ... as his Epistles are all addressed to believing converts; but ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.htm

Chapter xvii
... is now under necessity of hoping and believing against all ... fact suggests very
prominently again Abraham's faith: the man ... so long for the son of promise had not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

The Mustard-Seed.
... The first promise, given at the gate of Eden ... righteousness which is of God by faith,"
he grew ... small an awakened, exercised, conscientious, believing monk, is an ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/iii the mustard-seed.htm

Introductory Notice to the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
... woe, and comfort is found in the promise of a ... Latin, to the strengthening of the
Christian faith, and to ... There are very strong grounds for believing that it ...
/.../introductory notice to the testaments.htm