The Forgotten Promise

*******WARNING: EXTREME THEOLOGICAL CONTENT********

The real foundation of the world's greatest religions is the covenant that God made with Abraham. It is the formation of the Hebrew people and Judaism. It is the covenant that Christians are grafted into. And, it is the covenant that propelled Abraham and Sarah to go to extreme measures in fertility. Thus, Ishmael (and eventually Islam) was born.

Why don't we study more about the covenant?

I have been struck recently by the promises made in the covenant. It seems that three promises were given. The first two we know well. The third is forgotten.

1. God promised to make Abraham a great nation. (Descendants)
2. God promised to give land for this great nation.
3. God promised that Abraham's family would be a blessing to all the earth.

Much of the violence in the Middle East can be traced back to the first two promises. And, it seems that througout the history of the Hebrew people and Israel, the focus has been on attaining a great nation and land, even at the expense of being a blessing to all nations.

The truth is that God needed Israel to fulfill all of these promises. They were his people set apart for this work of calling all people to himself.

Unfortunately, in this situation, two out of three is bad. It's easy to see how being totally focused on numbers and land could limit Israel's ability to be a blessing.

What would it look like if Israel had fulfilled that promise?

Tomorrow: Has the Church forgotten the promise?