Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baptism

Yesterday Ellie was baptized. She turned eight on January 27, 2020, and she made the decision to be baptized. I want to tell you a little bit about Ellie. I have never met a child that is quite like Ellie. She is full of life and fire and joy and light. She knows no fear and is infectious in her passion for life and for goodness and for FUN!!! Above all things, she seeks the joy and fun in life. She is also wickedly clever and funny, she’s a delight to be around and makes everyone feel so good. Because she is happy, she wants everyone else to be happy. I first met sweet Elizabeth in 2018, and on the day I met her she was not feeling well. We decided that a movie would be a fun thing for a sick little girl, so I brought one of my favorites to share with her - The Neverending Story. When I got to the house, I picked her right up. It had been a very long time since I was able to pick up a girl, and she snuggled right into my arms. Her poor sick body was warm, but I was more impressed ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Excommunication

My heart is heavy this morning. I read that Kate Kelly and others are being brought up on Church disciplinary action. For those who are unfamiliar with the process/proceedings of LDS Church discipline, it can be a bit mystifying. There are several levels of censure that the Church may impose. These range from a simple removal of some privileges for a short period of time to the most severe action - excommunication. When one is excommunicated, the person's membership in the Church is terminated. It is a very extreme measure, and for the faithful it can be a very difficult thing to consider. What people don't understand - what is nearly impossible for someone outside the proceedings to understand - is the amount of love felt. It's discipline. It's intended to be harsh (at times). And it's intended to be unpleasant. But it is done with love and care for the person. Since excommunication is such an extreme measure, it is really only very rarely applied. There are ...
18 comments
Read more

Ephesus

Paul got around. Ephesus is right on the Aegean Sea, on the coast of present-day Turkey. Yesterday he was in Galatia, which was much more towards the middle of Turkey. And when he actually wrote these letters, he was in Rome... So the man could travel. He probably walked. Today's item of interest comes from chapter one in Ephesians. Verses 18 and 19 are particularly interesting: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power This is not the first time Paul talks about an inheritance. In Galatians he talks about the inheritance that comes of being part of the Abrahamic Covenant. He notes that we are joint-heirs through and with Christ. In Ephesians, he uses the word "adoption" - that we are adopted as the Children of Jesus Chris...
7 comments
Read more