Nougat 22

Yesterday we began reflecting on Abraham’s blessings. Our quest took us to the days when he wasn’t yet ‘Father Abraham’, but was simply Abram. We could see the correlation between obedience born of faith and the blessings Abram received. I believe there’s more to ponder about the blessings in Abraham’s life. So join me in reflecting on Today’s Holy Nougat

“So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Blessed … By Faith

The Law of First Mention relates to getting a clearer grasp of Scripture by visiting the text where a person or concept is first presented or used in the Bible. This is helpful when trying to understand a promise such as this one presented in Galatians. For if we’re sharing the same blessings as Abraham, then it helps to know what the blessing is. Ironically, The Law becomes fairly interesting in relation to application with Abraham, as he’s First Mentioned in Genesis 11, and receives his blessing in Genesis 12.

But, some of us folks may have noted a Major Technicality in application yesterday – operatively, that was God’s promise to Abram. There is, as we’ve discussed in another context, a blessing attached to Abraham, and it is also the First Mention of his new name. Yes, right there in Genesis 17. The blessing is somewhat similar to that in Genesis 12, but the terms of the blessing has shifted. In fact, God is clear that this is a covenant and not just an invitation.

We note that the covenant is detailed, involving circumcision and even extends to Sarai. She’s clearly named as the source through which the blessing is manifested. Yet, Ishmael is also blessed in that covenant. What we see here, is that the Abrahamic blessing is related to fruitfulness. The promise extends to his offspring into eternity. If Abraham has no offspring, then the promise is invalid.

This implies that we are also called to perpetuate that fruitfulness in our belief. To say we believe Jesus is the son of the Living God YHWH, assumes that our ‘offspring’, literal or spiritual, are heirs to the Abrahamic blessing plan. As Believers in Jesus, do we claim this for our offspring?

This blessing offers hope on more than one level.

For the barren, we might find ourselves claiming the Sara Blessing that accompanies this promise. I don’t know that every barren woman has received her child, but the Bible documents others who’ve conceived despite being barren since Sara.

For those whose children are openly shunning faith in God through Jesus Christ, it is a reminder that God keeps covenant. Thus it is feasible that the child who has walked away from our faith may delight in God once again. And, that that child may then inherit the promised blessing.

For those of us with spiritual children, I see this as encouragement to persevere and pray them into fullness of life. Life in Christ, that is.

So we cannot as believers live as those who have no hope. God has not only promised us fruitfulness, but we also have a physical inheritance in Heaven. That land far beyond Jordan. And by the way, if our children qualify for the blessing because we believe, as Abraham’s Children, we also qualify.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ