The threefold promise to Abraham

Genesis 12:1-3 reads, “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

This was a landmark promise in the Bible, and it sets the stage for unfolding of the scheme of redemption. Three promises are made in the preceding scripture: 1) A land would be given to his descendants; 2) God would make a great nation of Abraham; and, 3) All the nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed (cf. Genesis 22:18).

The first promise was fulfilled when Abraham was promised the land of Canaan. The second promise was fulfilled when the Israelites became a nation at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6; 24:7-8). In Joshua 21:43, the Bible records that all of the land that was promised to this new nation was given to them. The third promise was fulfilled in Galatians 3:16, where the seed that would bless all nations was Christ.

Lots of people now think that some of these promises remain to be fulfilled. However, the Bible clearly says that all has been fulfilled. God’s plan of salvation has been fully revealed! What is left is for you to obey God and do His will. Abraham was blessed “because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Will you obey God and repent of your sins, confessing Christ, and being baptized for the remission of your sins?

Kyle Campbell