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Fulfilment of Promises to Abraham

#6b Seed Promise
Part of the series on the Flow of OT History

Seed Promise

In Gen. 12:2, the LORD promised Abram,
“And I will make you a great nation ...”

This promise was specified as follows:
  • From Abram’s own body (Gen. 15:4) thus eliminating his servant, Eliezer
  • A son born of Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 17:15-19) thus eliminating Ishmael, born of Hagar 
  • As numerous as the dust of the earth (Gen. 13:16), as the stars of the heaven (Gen. 15:5) and as the sand on the seashore (Gen. 22:17) »» a great nation, innumerable descendants
Fulfilment of the seed promise
  • Began with the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah;
  • Narrowed with the choice of Jacob over Esau; 
  • Continued with the children of Jacob and their descendants 
  • Fulfilled during their time in Egypt when they were fruitful and increased greatly (Exo. 1:1-7) ... from the original 70 to as innumerous as the stars of heaven (Deut. 10:22).
Just before the Israelites crossed the River Jordan to enter Canaan, Moses recollected the history of Israel that the LORD had increased their numbers like the stars of heaven (Deut. 1:10).

And during the reign of Solomon, the people were said to be as innumerous as the sand on the seashore (1 Kgs. 4:20) ... descriptions that were the same as those in the promise to Abraham in Gen. 15:5; 22:17. 
The seed promise was also elaborated and expanded ... that the patriarchs would be the fathers of kings (Gen. 17:6, 16); this promise was repeated to Jacob (Gen. 35:11) who then prophesied that a world ruler would come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10).

The LORD subsequently narrowed the prophecy to David and his descendants, promising David that he would always have a descendant on his throne (2 Sam. 7:12-16). 

  •  Does this refer to the political rule of David’s descendants over the nation of Israel?
  • Is this pointing to a future reign of Jesus Christ on earth as the Son of David?  (cf., Isa. 9:6-7; Psa. 89:3-4, 34-37; Rev. 20:1-6)  
  • Or does it refer to the spiritual rule over the saints fulfilled in Christ’s present reign at the right hand of God? 

© April 2018 by Alan S.L. WONG