Faithful on Fridays Blog

As we continue our jaunt into the mystery of the nations, we arrive at the scene of one man who simply ‘obeyed God’ and formed one, unique nation to carry His Name and authority, filling the earth: Abram. God promised a great nation with a great name from him, providing blessings for the nations of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3). Quite an assignment. That prophetic covenant included a name change from Abram to Abraham, ‘father of many nations’. 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10 

This foreigner migrated with his family to this gifted land with an eternal city in mind, trusting God to do what He said He’d do. This ‘great nation’ would grow into one that is distinguished, mighty, and extensive. You may not see Israel with that lens today, but when you realize the Church is his offspring it comes into focus. Paul wrote,

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be. Romans 4:11-13, 17-18 

Moses understood that even sin wouldn’t negate God’s covenant with Abraham (Ex. 32:13-14), and the chosen people of Israel realized it, (2 Kings 13:23), as well as the writer of Psalm 105:6-10, and the prophets. God never forgets His promises.

Abraham is the father of many nations, Jewish or non-Jewish, black, white, or brown, but only to those who walk in faith. Being the inheritor of the world means eternal life for all who believe, beginning now and lasting forever. We are many nations, on the same journey back to the city of God, back to Eden, and held together by faith in Jesus Christ, The Son of Abraham. 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 

The mystery is unraveling.