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Father Abraham - had seven sons - and seven sons had Father Abraham...


I know, silly camp song... Funny, but silly.

Actually, Abraham (the Old Testament Abraham, anyway) had two sons that we know of - Ishmael, who was the son of Hagar, and Isaac, the son of Sarah.

Abraham secured great blessings due to his faithfulness. His faith was tested atop the mount when he was instructed to sacrifice his son to God. Ironically, Abraham's own father attempted to sacrifice him in a pagan, idol-worshiping ritual earlier in his life, which was a pivotal event in the life of Abraham. So to be commanded to sacrifice his son like this was an interesting test.

Abraham's response to Isaac's question about the source of the sacrifice is instructive. He said that God would provide himself a lamb for the sacrifice (see Genesis 22:7-8). God did provide a Lamb for the offering. He provided Himself.

It was Abraham's faith that brought the blessings. He was promised descendants like the stars in the sky, or the sands of the sea. In other words, he was promised infinite increase. How is this possible with only two sons? Ishmael had twelve sons. Isaac had two sons - Jacob and Esau. Jacob had twelve sons, who later founded the twelve tribes which would be known as Israel. So already we see that the promise is literally fulfilled... But there is more.

Reading in Galatians this morning, I came across references to Abraham and the covenant that God made with him. This is of particular concern and interest to the people in the land of Galatia because they were not born into the covenant - they were not blood descendants of Abraham - and were therefore not involved directly with the covenant promised to Abraham. Paul explains that the covenant is for all those who believe in Christ. Christ is the method through which all the nations of the earth would be blessed - which was another essential part of the covenant God made with Abraham. And as we take upon us the name of Christ through baptism, we become Christ's sons and daughters, which makes us part of the Abrahamic covenant. Joseph Smith added this interesting verse to the discussion as a part of his translation of the New Testament:

20 Now this mediator was not a mediator of the new covenant; but there is one mediator of the new covenant, who is Christ, as it is written in the law concerning the promises made to Abraham and his seed. Now Christ is the mediator of life; for this is the promise which God made unto Abraham. (see JST Gal 3:20 - in the appendix).

So we can see that Christ becomes the mediator of this covenant, and as we come to Christ, we are able to access the promises and blessings associated with the covenant made to Abraham, regardless of personal blood line. This is hopeful, because there are many who would wish to participate in the covenant if they could - and they can! That's the glorious message of the gospel of Christ. We become joint-heirs with Christ.

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