Date: 1921 BC – Year: 2083 – Ref: Gen 12:1-3; 13:16;
“1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, and your relatives and your father’s house, tolandwhich I will show you; 2 and I will make you greatcountry, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and thus you will be ablessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen 12:1-3 NAS95)
God’s promise to Abraham included 3 aspects: (1) land, (2) nation, and (3) blessing. At that time, the first two mainly concerned the future nation of Israel and its borders. The third goes beyond Israel’s borders, providing benefits to “all the families of the earth.” (Gen 21:3) through the “Life” of Abraham – the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Now the promises are spoken to Abraham and his seed. He does not say, “And to the seeds,” as referring to many, but to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. (Gal 3:16 NAS95)
God also promised Abraham a multi-generational fruitfulness that would continue throughout history.
“I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants will also be numbered.” ( Gen 13:16 )
At the heart of these three promises is fruitfulness. In a very practical way, population growth is the driving force enabling Israel’s future greatness. This allowslandof Canaan to be subdued; it enables Israel to establish itself as a great onecountry; it enables him, through his offspring, to become ablessingin countries throughout time.
