Topical Bible: The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Abraham

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The promises made to Abraham are foundational to understanding the relationship between God and the Jewish people, as well as the unfolding of biblical history. These promises, often referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant, are pivotal in the narrative of the Bible and are seen as a cornerstone of God's plan for redemption and blessing to all nations.

The Call of Abraham

The initial promise to Abraham is found in Genesis 12:1-3, where God calls Abram (later named Abraham) to leave his country and go to a land that He would show him. The Berean Standard Bible records God's words: "Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and 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."

The Promise of Land

A significant aspect of the promises to Abraham is the gift of land. In Genesis 15:18-21, God makes a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." This promise of land is reiterated throughout the patriarchal narratives and becomes a central theme in the history of Israel.

The Promise of Descendants

God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a great nation. In Genesis 17:4-6, God declares, "As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you."

The Promise of Blessing and Redemption

The promise that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3) is seen as a prophetic indication of the coming Messiah, through whom salvation would be offered to all humanity. This aspect of the promise is crucial in understanding the role of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan.

The Covenant of Circumcision

In Genesis 17, God establishes the covenant of circumcision as a sign of the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. This covenant is a physical and perpetual sign of the relationship between God and the Jewish people.

The Test of Faith and the Promise of Isaac

In Genesis 22, Abraham's faith is tested when God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac. After Abraham demonstrates his obedience, God reaffirms His promises, 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).

The Everlasting Covenant

The promises to Abraham are described as an everlasting covenant, indicating their perpetual nature. In Genesis 17:7, God states, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

These promises to Abraham are not only central to the identity and history of the Jewish people but also form the theological basis for understanding God's unfolding plan of salvation for all nations. The Abrahamic Covenant is a testament to God's faithfulness and His sovereign purpose in history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 13:14-17
And the LORD said to Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 15:18
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 17:7,8
And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you, and to your seed after you.
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Library

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... Once more, God promises to his weary people, on ... There are two questions, especially,
respecting which interpreters ... the literal restoration of the Jews to the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... same import is the prophecy of Daniel, respecting the time ... faith of Abraham will
participate in the same promises. ... So the Saviour said to the Jews: "Many shall ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
... after premising that he and the other Jews, aware that ... us, so the end of all the
promises of mercy ... argue that what Paul contends for respecting faith applies ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 the promises of.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Jews, the, the kingdom of, founded by God, [927]82 ... Justinus, the historian, quoted
respecting Ninus's lust of empire ... the description of [978]343; promises of God ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... were not themselves Corinthians, [592]386; were Jews, [593]271 ... 728]284; His word
and promises sure, [729 ... Paul's caution, respecting them, [869]144; idol feasts a ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... they claimed some interest in "the promises made unto the ... These Jews must have known
that, in as far ... in some way obtained information respecting his subsequent ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... not know all the things which God does respecting us in ... of God being confirmed by
these promises and examples ... 3:6), expostulated bitterly with the Jews, for not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
... as containing the commandments and promises of God ... do what the Levites told them
respecting the Law ... away the difficulty, amazed and confounded the learned Jews. ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter viii the bible in.htm

Against Heresies
... as to their own origin: their opinions respecting the Demiurge ... see the day of Christ,
when the promises made to him ... of Abraham, but not to the Jews who reject ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... law was an insupportable burden, which "neither the Jews nor their ... excellence, as
being the completion of the promises, (Galatians 3 ... 1.) Respecting the accident ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm