Topical Encyclopedia The concept of predestination in the context of the covenant with Abraham is a significant theme in biblical theology, reflecting God's sovereign choice and divine plan for Abraham and his descendants. This covenant, established by God, underscores His predetermined purpose to create a chosen people through whom He would fulfill His redemptive plan for humanity.The Covenant with Abraham The covenant with Abraham is first introduced in Genesis 12:1-3, where God calls Abram (later named Abraham) to leave his country and promises to make him a great nation. The Lord declares, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This initial promise sets the stage for the unfolding of God's predetermined plan for Abraham's descendants. In Genesis 15, God further elaborates on this covenant, assuring Abraham that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 17, where God establishes an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants, promising to be their God and to give them the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:7-8). Predestination and Divine Choice The notion of predestination is evident in God's sovereign choice of Abraham and his lineage. In Genesis 18:18-19, God reveals His purpose for choosing Abraham: "Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just" . This divine selection underscores the predetermined nature of God's plan, as Abraham is chosen not only for his own sake but for the fulfillment of God's broader redemptive purposes. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, reflects on this theme of divine choice and predestination. In Romans 9:7-8, Paul writes, "Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, 'Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.' So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring" . This passage highlights the distinction between physical descent and the spiritual lineage of promise, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in determining the true heirs of Abraham's covenant. The Fulfillment of the Covenant The fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham is seen throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate descendant of Abraham. In Galatians 3:16, Paul explains, "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, 'and to seeds,' meaning many, but 'and to your seed,' meaning One, who is Christ" . Through Christ, the blessings promised to Abraham extend to all nations, fulfilling God's predetermined plan to bless the world through Abraham's lineage. The covenant with Abraham and the theme of predestination within it reveal the depth of God's sovereign will and His unwavering commitment to His promises. Through Abraham's posterity, God orchestrates His divine plan, ensuring the fulfillment of His covenant and the ultimate redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 21:12And God said to Abraham, Let it not be grievous in your sight because of the lad, and because of your female slave; in all that Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac shall your seed be called. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 9:7,8 Library Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ... On the Church and Its Head This Doctrine Confirmed by Proofs from Scripture. The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith. Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ... Examination of the Treatise Bunsen's Biblical Researches. Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace Footnotes Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects. Resources What is double predestination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of preterition? | GotQuestions.org What is al-Qadr in Islam? | GotQuestions.org Predestination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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