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A Blessing for All Nations

Abraham is mentioned twice in Luke’s account of Christ’s birth, as both Mary and Zechariah praised God for keeping His word to this well-known patriarch of the Old Testament (Luke 1:54–55, 73). This should lead us to ask the question, What exactly did God promise to Abraham?

In today’s passage, we read about God’s original promise to Abraham (originally Abram), a promise that set the stage for God’s saving plan to unfold throughout Scripture. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation. We know that great nation as Israel, God’s treasured possession among all the peoples of the earth. Only Israel would receive God’s law and His covenant blessings. However, God’s blessings were never intended to stop with Israel.

The promise to Abraham was that, through him, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Israel was supposed to be a pipeline of God’s blessings, not a dam. Through Israel would come the Messiah, Jesus, and through Jesus would come salvation for all the peoples of the earth. Today, as the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and believed across the world, people are still coming to share in the blessing of Abraham. It’s the same blessing we receive when we put our trust in Christ. How grateful we should be that God keeps His promises!

Simple Summary

God promised Abraham that he would make him a great nation and that great nation was Israel. God also promised Abraham that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This worldwide blessing came through Jesus, who was from Abraham’s family. Jesus fulfills God’s promise to Abraham because He is the Savior of all the people on the earth.

Pray

Thank God that He has provided a Savior for all the peoples of the earth. Ask Him to use you to make this good news known.