Abraham's faith journey (covenant) #5

  August 30, 2020 (Sunday)

 

After Lot chooses to move to the Jordan Valley, Abram settled in Canaan. We are told, “After Lot separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “From the place where you are standing, look up and gaze to the north, south, east, and west,  because all the land that you see I give you and your descendants forever.” [Genesis 13:14 – 15 CEB] How many times do we see God responding to his people’s righteous actions and attitudes?

 

Land is an important piece of God’s promise to Abraham. Theologically this is called the “Abrahamic” covenant. Land becomes a cohesive element to identity. It also becomes a glue to hold together culture and religion. Specifically, this will be narrowed down to Jerusalem.

 

The second part of this promise is descendants. About them God promises, “I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth. If someone could count the bits of dust on the earth, then they could also count your descendants.” [Genesis 13:16 CEB] When we arrive at the New Testament there is a twist to the definition of Abraham’s decedents.

 

In conflict with some Jews of Jesus’ day, “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.” [John 8:39 NLT] Jesus has just shifted the definition of “descendant” from the physical line to the spiritual.

 

Paul picks up the idea in Galatians 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [NIV] This might lead some to think the church has replaced Israel as God’s covenant people. This does not make sense.

 

The position is called “Supersessionism” or “replacement theology.” The question facing theologians is how to incorporate the church into the spiritual line of Abraham. Thus, the idea is the church has replaced Israel. Others suggest the church is a complete break from Abraham’s promise. This would essentially eliminate the foundation of the promise of the Messiah.

 

One reason Supersessionism does not make sense is because the church is not privileged to own the land promised to Abraham’s decedents. Another reason it does not make sense is the implied idea that God's promises fail. 

 

I think Paul was stating the church is an expression of the spiritual elements of Abraham’s promise. I personally do not believe the church supplants Israel because the covenant with Abraham is not obsolete. It could not possibly end or be suspended because then God’s covenant cannot fail.

 

 Technically, the Abrahamic promise applies to ALL of Abraham’s descendants. It is later, as the family tree is narrowed, the line of the Messiah becomes more distinct.

 

One point to consider. Being in line as God’s covenant people does not lead to “salvation” as Christian’s view it. At least, that is what Jesus said. Then again, Jesus is the dividing line between Christians and people of Abraham’s covenant. Jesus just happens to be the dividing line for an individual’s eternal destiny.

 

Which side of that line do you want to be on?