Articles
The Universal Gift of the New Covenant
“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:18)
Studying the Bible with other people is one of the great blessings of life. The Bible is a marvelous accomplishment that reveals God’s plan for mankind in a very special way. Even though the Bible was composed over the face of three continents over 1500 years by people of different backgrounds, languages, and natures, one grand theme pervades it all – the scheme of redemption.
God chose a single man by which to grant blessings to all the inhabitants of the Earth – Abraham. God called Abram from his homeland in the east to establish a nation in the land of promise (Gen.12:1-3), giving him a new name and creating in him a new people. In addition to this promise, God vowed that because of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, his descendants and all of the Earth would be blessed in his seed (Gen. 22:1-18).
While reading through the OT, we see the fulfillment of both the land and the nation promises, especially during the age of Joshua and the Kings; however, one element is noticeably unfulfilled – the seed promise. In the NT, we see God’s plan fulfilled in Jesus, the Lord and Savior of ALL mankind, descendant of Israel (Matt. 1:1-17; Gal. 3). From the faithful willingness of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to the faithful willingness of God to sacrifice His Son Jesus, we are the recipients of the greatest promise ever made through a string of utter selflessness. This promise grants life to ALL willing to follow God in complete and utter devotion and obedience. Praise God!
