THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL (2) Heirs of the Promise

HEIRS OF THE PROMISE

Of all the men on the face of the Earth, God chose Abraham to form a nation that would bring blessing to all the families of the world.

But, how could he become a nation if he and his wife did not have any children? Besides, Abraham was 75 years old when he was first called by God. What seemed impossible to them was not a problem for God. He delivers on his promises. When Abraham was 100 years old the “son of the promise” was born: Isaac.

However, before this happened, Sarah tried to “help” God and suggested that Abraham should have a son with Hagar, her maidservant. They did, and Ishmael was born. But God does not need our help, and He made it clear that this was not the promised son. What Abraham and Sarah did, brought them many family problems that have transcended throughout the generations and are still reflected in the Arab Israeli conflict (both groups being Abraham’s descendants).

After Sarah’s death Abraham had another wife, and had more children with her.

(Genesis 25:1-2)  Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.  (2)  She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 

Without a doubt Ishmael and Kethurah’s sons are Abraham’s offspring. However, the Bible points out that not all were heirs of the promise: Land and offspring. All the sons of Abraham received an inheritance, but the heritage of the promise was only given to Isaac.

(Genesis 25:5-6)  Abraham gave all he had to Isaac.  (6)  But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

Only Isaac was left in Canaan, the Land of the promise.

THE PROMISE CONFIRMED

When there was a famine in the land, Isaac had the intention of leaving the land in search of food. Nevertheless God stopped him, and told him to stay in Canaan and at the same time confirmed to him the covenant He had made with Abraham.

(Genesis 26:1-6)  Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.  (2)  And the LORD appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.  (3)  Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.  (4)  I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,  (5)  because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."  (6)  So Isaac settled in Gerar.

God confirmed to Isaac the promise He had given to Abraham.

* Land
* Offspring

* Blessing to all the nations of the Earth

ISAAC’S SONS

 

Isaac had twin sons. It is natural to think that both of them would inherit the promise… but they did not.

In human terms, the inheritance and the birthright belonged to Esau, the firstborn son. However, God had other plans. Ever since the twins were in their mother’s womb, God determined that the youngest would come first. God knew that Esau was going to reject his birthright and despise the special calling his family had, while Jacob yearned for it with all his soul.

Maybe it is difficult for us to understand why one of the brothers is accepted while the other is rejected, but God knows why He does what He does. Our lack of understanding does not take away from God’s perfect goodness and justice. His plans are perfect, and are plans for the good of everyone.

This is how the apostle Paul explains it:

(Romans 9:6-16)  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,  (7)  and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."  (8)  This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.  (9)  For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son."  (10)  And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,  (11)  though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls--  (12)  she was told, "The older will serve the younger."  (13)  As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."  (14)  What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!  (15)  For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."  (16)  So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

By blessing him, Isaac conveyed the divine promise to Jacob (not to Esau).

(Genesis 28:3-4)  God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.  (4)  May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!"

God confirmed it to Jacob in a dream.

(Genesis 28:12-15)  And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!  (13)  And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.  (14)  Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  (15)  Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

JACOB’S SONS

Jacob had 12 sons.

Which of them inherited the divine promise of “land and offspring”? For the first time, all were included in the promise (Genesis 35:22-26).

(Psalms 105:6-15) O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!  (7)  He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.  (8)  He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,  (9)  the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,  (10)  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,  (11)  saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance."  (12)  When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,  (13)  wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,  (14)  he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,  (15)  saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"