- Jul 31, 2004
- 4,164
- 298
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Presbyterian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
That's an important question because God promised some amazing things to Abraham and his offspring (or "seed" as Scripture often puts it).
Promise to the Seed
Genesis 17:8 - And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
Jesus is the ultimate son of Abraham, child of promise, and seed. As Paul says in Galatians...
Galatians 3:16 - Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
So who today can be regarded as the seed of Abraham? Only those who are in Christ and have faith in Christ. As Paul teaches in Romans 9...
Romans 9:6-8 - 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Promise to the Seed
Genesis 17:8 - And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
What's immediately in view here is the land of Canaan. But as the story of Scripture unfolds this seems to expand to include not only Canaan but all the earth (Romans 4:13).
Genesis 12:2-3 - 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Abraham's seed will become a mighty nation whom God will bless. Abraham's seed will bless all the nations of the earth. Abraham's seed will be a blessing and the means of blessing in a world under God's curse.
Jesus the Seed of Abraham
Jesus is the ultimate son of Abraham, child of promise, and seed. As Paul says in Galatians...
Galatians 3:16 - Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
All the promises made to Abraham were ultimately made to Christ. The promises, remember, were conditional upon Abraham - and later Israel's - obedience. But Abraham and Israel failed to obey and were never perfectly obedient. Jesus is the true recipient of God's promises because he does not fail to obey.
The Offspring of Abraham Are Those Who Are In Christ
So who today can be regarded as the seed of Abraham? Only those who are in Christ and have faith in Christ. As Paul teaches in Romans 9...
Romans 9:6-8 - 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Just because someone is physically descended from Abraham does not make this person a recipient of the promises. This is demonstrated by looking at Ishmael and also Esau - both of whom descended from Abraham. No, only those whom God chooses are the true recipients of the promise. And God has chosen those who are in Christ, the true seed.
Galatians 3:29 - And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
