"For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."1
We see Paul writes of the promise, but what is the promise? and what does it mean that the promise of inheritance is not by the Law but by faith? First we must look at the old covenant to establish what the promise is so that we know how it is fulfilled. Paul writes, the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed and came before the Mosaic covenant or Law. To understand the promise we need to understand the promise or covenant to Abraham.
"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you."2
The covenant begins earlier, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of many nations."4 It continues, "and fruitful you, exceedingly great I will make unto nations, and kings from you shall come."5 We see this blessing in the promise to "unfruitful," barren Sarah, "I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."6 Abraham is the father of all nations, Sarah the mother. To Noah, "be fruitful and multiply; Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it."6a And to man, "And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over."6b
"Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you."7
It begins with Adam,8 to Noah, to Abraham, and here to Jacob, Be fruitful and multiply, "that you may become an assembly of peoples."9 Now, Jacob renamed "Israel lived in the land of Egypt... and were fruitful and became very numerous."10 To Abraham by faith, "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore."11 To Moses by Law, the blessings came through obedience to, "I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you."8 The law came through Moses but in Christ came grace and truth, thus as Paul writes the blessing continues in the Seed, Christ,
"But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.’”12
There were conditions to the covenant to Moses, if they disobeyed he promised to take the fruitful blessings away, and his wrath would be poured out on them.13 But if they would repent and confess their iniquities he would remember his covenant.14 The scriptures compare the covenant to a marriage covenant, and as Malachi speaks Judah broke covenant committing adultery. "Or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,"15 The prophets foretell of a new covenant, a circumcision of the heart, taking out the heart of stone, a new heart capable of faithfulness.
"And I will make of you a great people, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."16
This word for people, ləḡōw, often translated as nation, is used in speech as a proper name of a people, it speaks of a Gentile people, and of the people of Israel, but specifically of descendants of Abraham. Jacob was a descendant of Abraham and when he "wrestled" with God he was renamed Israel and God told him, "a nation (people) and an assembly of people (nations) shall be of you and a King shall come from your loins."17 If we use the correct definition of people then we have a people and an assembly of people, sound familiar? we will come back to this later. The promise to bless Abraham was so that he would be a blessing to others, through his descendants.
"... saying to you I will give the land of Canaan the lot of inheritance."18
Is the promise one of land or inheritance? is it the land or is the land a "lot" of the promise? A lot is a measured portion, so the land would be a measured portion of the inheritance. "He has remembered forever his covenant the word he commanded to a thousand generations." This word for covenant speaks of an agreement, treaty, alliance toward people. Now, it is interesting that the promise is to Abraham, then Isaac... then to Moses but did they possess the land? Such seems to be always speaking of a future better promise. And also if it is everlasting land could it not speak of the future reign of Christ? and how does one explain that Israel is led away into captivity after possessing the land?
"If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne..."21
Now, we know Christ is a descendant of David and he is King, fulfilling prophecy. However, this is a very interesting verse, if we remember what occurred on the day Christ was crucified. "there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two... when they saw what had taken place, they returned home beating their breasts"22 The covenant of day and night broken? Is the covenant broke with David? The Psalmist writes though the people had broke covenant with God he would be faithful, "Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies..."23 Through the Seed, all the promise of God are yes and amen.
"for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your seed forever."24
Here the promise is to the offspring which Paul writes is through the Seed. The promise is by faith, this Abraham and even Moses saw it from a distance. Do not these of faith today see the promised land by faith? If it is by faith for a future time when Christ sets up reign on earth, in a new Jerusalem, does such a future promise break covenant? no, he fulfills his promise through the Seed, "all peoples are blessed" through the Word that became flesh and dwelt among men. How does God break a covenant that was promised in the beginning? The prophets foresaw of this covenant. In the parables Jesus told, like in the fig tree which he cursed for not bearing fruit, there were conditions on man's part, "to be a blessing" or a light on a hill. Though man broke covenant with God, he would not. However, the fulfillment is not the way some might think nor like.
"He remembered forever his covenant, the Word that he commanded a thousand generations,"25
If the Word became flesh, did He not keep covenant, His Word? We see a fruitful blessing, a promise of salvation, redemption, through the seed of Abraham. Oh, we are blessed in Christ Jesus. We have further insight from prophesy; the father of John the Baptist prophesied, that now God would "remember his holy covenant."26 If we look at this prophecy the promise would seem to be nothing about land but a plan of salvation, of redemption, forgiveness of sin, salvation, mercy promised, serving him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him. Do we see the fulfillment of such in the new covenant? salvation and justification by faith, made righteous before him by the works of Christ, standing in grace before him without fear, in perfect love, boldly one can approach him and receive grace and mercy as promised.
"He provides food for those who revere him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations."27
Here we see the poet declare the everlasting covenant as the inheritance of the nations, as Paul writes, "all nations are blessed." The Psalmist proclaims a God of righteousness, gracious and merciful, faithful and just, trustworthy, his works are established forever and ever, "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!"28 We of the promise know of this inheritance and of this power in the Holy Spirit.
"Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."29
The promise of steadfast love, this is a picture of Christ; all who are hungry and thirsty "he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."30 Christ gives living water and is bread from heaven, which we buy without price, a laboring into food that doesn't perish, to those who enter by faith into an everlasting covenant. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance."
"I will also do with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath by breaking the covenant."31
Here Israel has become even more wicked than its elder sister Samaria, and younger sister Sodom.32 "Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways." And what was this corruption? "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." They left First love and broke covenant, but God says, "yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant."33 What is the everlasting covenant? "when I atone for you for all that you have done."34 This atonement comes through the blood of Christ, and it is an everlasting covenant.
"Has his loving-kindness forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?"35
We see the promise of atonement and now we see the promise of his steadfast love, Grace, "Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?" Did God forsake his people, "Where are Your former loving-kindnesses, O Lord, Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?"36 Surely this loving-kindness is comparable to Grace. Is this not the promise of his goodness that leads men to repentance? "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."37
"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in loving-kindness and in mercy."37a
God tells the prophet Hosea to marry and love an unfaithful woman. When she is used up by men, left on the streets to die, Hosea picks her up in her filth and loves her. By faith Hosea proclaims the covenant of Grace to God's people. This word for loving-kindness is checed, "favor, loving-kindness, merciful kindness," it speaks of a covenant of loyalty. God is faithful and good, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His loving-kindness is everlasting."37b The Dispensation of Grace given through Christ was hidden in God in the beginning and though man is undeserving, his promise, his covenant of grace is everlasting.
"Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?”38
We see more of this promise of a faithful God, of salvation, though the people did not fulfill their side He would. This is the picture of Jesus, the people had broke covenant with God, divorced the companion God had given and married another. They wanted an earthly king and sought earthly wealth not realizing how poor they really were. God would fulfill his steadfast love and faithfulness, he would give his Son to take the place of Judah, and die in his stead. Though rich he would become poor to bring this salvation not only to the Jew but to all mankind, thus those by faith are the righteous descendants of Abraham.
"... My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant."39
Well you say what about the forever covenant of land? well, I say what about the forever covenant of circumcision? so we see we are at a precipice, it is called the cross and we must cross over into the promised land by faith. We see in Paul's writing that the new covenant was initiated with Abraham, the sons of Abraham are the children of God by faith, not circumcision of the flesh, but a circumcision of the heart. This circumcision of the heart was prophesied of and would be a fulfilling of the promise.
"Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live."39a
This is the new Jew, inwardly,39b and there is a new people, and there is a new Jerusalem, "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."39c This was the land Abraham foresaw and was looking toward by faith.39d And those of faith longed for such a land.39e Not the veiled glory of the old covenant but the glory of the new which far surpasses it. Not a God thundering from a mountain, where MSN is afraid to approach but...
"Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem."40a
The question is what will you believe? where will you place your trust? in the earthly Jerusalem? or in the promised land and spiritual blessings? Like those great pillars of faith who were "longing for a better country, a heavenly one,"40b I know where I go, I see it from a distance, as Jacob saw the ladder, and as the old hymn sings, I am bound for the promise land, who will come and go with me?
"And I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will increase you exceedingly great.”40c
Abraham is ninety years old when God speaks to him here. Notice the conditional "and," at first God said, "walk before me, and be blameless, And I will make my covenant..."41 By faith we walk with God. Here we see further the meaning of "increase you exceedingly great," "I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you."42 So we see part of the promise is nations, not a land of one nation but many. God wants Abraham to sacrifice his Son, such is pointing to the gospel, and it would require faith, trust in God's goodness. God operates through men by faith, even if just a remnant like Noah and his family, blessings and salvation come through men of faith.
"Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord."43
We see the desolation, it is the barrenness of a woman, and we see the promise through the descendants and its comparable terminology of seed, thus descendant being seed. The promised seed would be through the desolation. Sarah who was barren would give birth to the heir of the promise Isaac, which as Paul writes is not a promise of the flesh, Hagar, but of the Spirit, of Sarah, and the Jew of the flesh or the land is cast out as Hagar. So we see the promise is by faith and spiritual. The name Sarah means "princess" and Christ is the Prince of peace, Sarah the promise, Christ the groom, the bride of Christ God's people.
"But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. Rejoice, O barren one... For the children of the desolate one will be more... Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise."43a
Paul speaks, allegorically "these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."43b There is one born according to the flesh, the Jew of the flesh, and one according to the Spirit. Paul writes "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."43d Those of faith are "are not children of the slave but of the free woman."
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."43d
Jesus said if they abide in the truth, they would know the truth and be set free.44a "We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?"44b But they did not understand they were not free but slaves, "A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."44c Paul writes they were under a guardian of the Law, imprisoned under sin until Christ. Though Jews they were not sons of God, but through the promise, through Christ the Seed, he would give them power to become sons, heirs. He preached the Kingdom was at hand, repent and believe. "if a son, then an heir through God."
"Indeed, not by the law was the promise to Abraham or his descendants that heir he should be of the world but by righteousness of faith."44
Abraham would be the father of a multitude of nations, we see the promise is by faith.45 And we see something very important, it is a promise of being an heir. This word for heir, klēronómos (derived from klḗros, "lot" and nemō, "to distribute, allot") – an heir; someone who inherits. An heir of what? kósmos (literally, "something ordered") – properly, an "ordered system" (like the universe, creation); the world. So we see it is a promise of being an heir of the kingdom through righteousness by faith. So the question is asked, is the promise being an heir to the Kingdom of God? And what does such a Kingdom look like today?
"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”46
Jesus told them to Repent, the Kingdom of God was at hand, but the people of God were fixated on an earthly kingdom, of food that perishes. The Kingdom of God is not of earthly food that fills the belly but of faith, laboring for heavenly food that endures to eternal life, the only way coming through Christ, the bread from heaven. The people focused on the old covenant with Moses but Jesus said if they truly knew the Father they would come to him, "everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—"47
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”48
Jesus came as the Light of the world, the city of Jerusalem was suppose to have been such a light, but it dimmed and faded and when the Light came among its own they received it not. They attempted to put out the Light but he rose again defeating death and in Christ the promise is established in righteousness by faith, free from fear, oppression, and strife.49 God would establish the Church and would be provider and protector of those who put their trust in him. Such is the spiritual blessings in Christ.
"Indeed not by the Law the promise to Abraham nor his descendants that he should be heir of the world but by righteousness of faith."50
This word for world is kosmos, "the world, universe." This was the promise to Abraham to make his name great, to make his descendants numerous as the stars and sea thus the kosmos.51 Is the name of Abraham great? yes, and is his descendants numerous? yes, "those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."52 There have been estimates of close to 400 billion stars in our galaxy and 8 billion people who have entered the Kingdom of God.
"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring..."53
We establish that the promise rests on Grace, not through works of the Law. "For if those who live by the Law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,"54 The promise rests on grace, not the law, which speaks of entering into God's Rest. This is significant as Paul writes, those who go back to the Law for justification sever themselves and fall from grace. By grace through faith a new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ who came in the fullness of grace and truth. This mystery was hidden in God in the beginning and such a gospel was preached to Abraham.
"For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."55
We see the significance of the new covenant as being original, or as God's plan of salvation and redemption of his chosen people and of all people. And it was by faith; Abraham will you give your first born son? Yes, his name is great among those of faith. The descendants of Abraham are by faith in Christ, resting in grace, not under the Mosaic Law which came 430 years after the promise and doesn't cancel the promise.56 The promise was initially by Grace, as it was freely given to Abraham.57 This promise of resting in grace was a foreshadow of the grace to come in Christ.
"a people and an assembly of people shall be of you and a King shall come from you..."58
This word for people is derived from the word goy, which is used in speech as a proper name of a people and is another form of the word gev, "among," thus we see the emphasis on the word assembly. We see God manifested His goodness and displayed his manifold wisdom through the Church, the people, assembly, congregation, the nation of God's people. Of course this is nothing new, the Church has believed such for centuries, Jesus is the King, heir to the throne, descendant from David, and the "assembly of God 's people" is the Jew of the Spirit, circumcised inwardly, thus the body of Christ, the Church.
"... until the arrival of the Seed to whom the promise referred..."59
The promise would come through the Seed, Christ. Now, the Law is not contrary to the promise, no, it was a guardian until Christ, who is the Seed in which the promise referred. So we see the promise always referred to Christ. "indeed, if given a Law able to impart Life, indeed, of law in that case exists righteousness."60 The Law did not give life, as Paul writes it caused death in him, the law being spiritual and the carnal man can't subject to the laws of God. Where sin abounds, grace over abounds, thus we see resting in grace.
"but imprisoned the scriptures all things under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those believing."61
Though Abraham believed and it was counted unto him as righteousness, we see the imprisonment under sin until Christ. Under the Law they were in captivity, imprisoned, until faith is revealed.62 Though preached to Abraham, and the prophets had foresight into this mystery, it was hidden in God until God chose to reveal such wisdom through the people, the assembly, the Church being "built up" by faith working through love. Now, we might look with hindsight and think it was always faith at work but here we see the imprisonment, so that the law, Schoolmaster of them, until the revealing through Christ.
"so that the law, schoolmaster of us has been to Christ that by faith justified."63
I believe we see the purpose of the imprisonment and the guardian. We can see this in the words of the prophet; harlotry, adultery, leaving God's love, how the sisters Sodom, and Samaria were punished and how Israel seeing them being punished by the Law still disobeyed. God split the people, and Judah was left but having no power under the Law even with the fear of punishment Judash still left God's covenant for the lusts of the flesh. Judah just didn't commit adultery he also divorced the wife and married another. Now, the penalty was death so I believe we see the reason for the imprisonment? until faith is revealed through Christ, justification by faith, Christ would pay the debt for Judah.
"Indeed, all sons of God you are through faith in Christ Jesus."64
This word for hyiós, "a son, descendant" – properly, a son (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the same nature as their Father. Do you see? heir, inheritance. It has taken us a bit to get here, I get excited at revelation, so hopefully I have kept to the topic, so bear with me. I believe we have arrived at the promise. Yes, it is clear, the blessings through the descendants of Abraham, to the sons of Abraham, those by faith, justification by faith, the abundance of grace given and the gift of righteousness received will those reign in Christ. Yes, it is a matter of inheritance of being an heir, a child of God.
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."65
Now, we make an important observation "in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."66 All peoples, all nations, not one nation, are blessed in Christ Jesus. Paul writes, stating the promise was not to seeds, but seed, meaning One, who is Christ.67 When God said "All nations will be blessed through you," it was a foretelling of the gospel, as Paul writes.68 So if this was a foretelling of the gospel and the promise is fulfilled through the Seed, to the descendants of Abraham, which are by faith then the blessings come to the sons of Abraham by faith, the Jew of the Spirit not the flesh. Lets look more at this promise. The blessings are through the Seed.
"Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people. And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’"69
Paul writes Moses wrote of the gospel, we see this in the signs in the wilderness, the serpent was lifted up for salvation, the manna from heaven, the water flowing from the rock, these pointed to Christ. And here we see he was also the Prophet, who all other prophets gave witness and authority to. The Church, the assembly of God's people, is built upon the prophets and the apostles, Jesus being the cornerstone.
"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One... and you killed the Author of life..."70
Peter speaks this to the Jews, "the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers"71 Like a marriage covenant they were unfaithful to the covenant, but God promised salvation and mercy. We see the condition of receiving the blessings, thus to receive the promise, repentance was required, "God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”72
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."73
God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah, it is a moving, compassionate promise, an eternal covenant of peace. Though he hid temporarily in anger his face he establishes a covenant of peace, of everlasting love.74 Such is a covenant of peace as Christ is the Prince of Peace, he would bring peace with God and a dispensation of grace, a promise of his everlasting love for us. The promise would be peace to their children or descendants, and they would be taught by the Lord.75
"Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved."76
Paul writes he was deeply sorrowed for Israel, "It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel."77 As he writes elsewhere, "a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter."78 And now we see another element of the promise,
"The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live."79
You see the promise of the Spirit? the circumcision of the heart as we know today is being born of Spirit or born from above, "And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."80
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”81
Those who would be taught by the Lord are those who receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. This receiving is a Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father! This is a new creation, unlike any previous one but like the first man, as Paul writes, Christ is the second man and the first of a new creation. The promise was of salvation, of redemption, the forgiveness of sin, of a new creation. Thus occurred when we believed, how? by faith. The Spirit is a guarantee of our inheritance, a deposit so to say, of the promised land.
"For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”82
The Church has for centuries believed the promised land to be heavenly, but such has shifted as Israel has returned to the land. Notice the translation of this verse it differs, most say "all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”85 One states God is everlasting the other states the promise of the land being everlasting. This word for everlasting or forever, is olam, forever, perpetual, successive generations. "For all the land which you see I will give to you and your seed until forever."86
“Lift up your eyes and look... for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted."87
How much dust is there, or sand in the sea, or there stars in the sky? Scientists estimate 400 billion stars in our galaxy and over 150 billion galaxies. That's a lot of people. Some have estimated over 7 billion Christians have lived since Christ, that is about the size of the world population today, surely they would not all fit in this land seen by Abraham, no, by faith Abraham entered into the promised land. "the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise."88
"By faith he went to live in the land of promise..."89
"By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain..."90 It was not based upon "first fruit" but by faith Abel believed, such is symbolic of the first born pointing to Christ and of a better covenant. Before the promise to Abraham, Noah "became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."91 Though Abraham live in the promised land, he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, in a foreign land occupied by others, they did not have possession of it. "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Even Moses saw the land from a distance and wrote of Christ. So we see a promised land by faith.
"... were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it"92
By faith Abraham entered the promise, it was a shadow of things to come like the Law was a shadow of things to come, keeping Israel under guardian until the appointed time. Now, the Holy Spirit is this deposit as Paul writes, "guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it." We too are counted righteous by faith, but we have the eternal promise within us, a gift from God, a guarantee of our inheritance.
"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord."93
The prophet Hosea knew of God's heart for his people, they had went astray from his love. God would lure her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her, to give her a door of hope, he would have mercy on those who he said he would not have mercy on and to those not his people he would call his people. Paul writes of this promise, as the Church being betroth, the bride of Christ.
"For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ"93
In the new covenant we see the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, of promised holiness, mercy and grace, redemption, the forgiveness of sin, and of being heirs, not that it is deserved but "according to the riches of His grace." And we see we can enter the promised land by faith, one day we will acquire possession of it, "to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."94
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."95
What A Beautiful Name
We see Paul writes of the promise, but what is the promise? and what does it mean that the promise of inheritance is not by the Law but by faith? First we must look at the old covenant to establish what the promise is so that we know how it is fulfilled. Paul writes, the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed and came before the Mosaic covenant or Law. To understand the promise we need to understand the promise or covenant to Abraham.
"I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you."2
The covenant begins earlier, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of many nations."4 It continues, "and fruitful you, exceedingly great I will make unto nations, and kings from you shall come."5 We see this blessing in the promise to "unfruitful," barren Sarah, "I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."6 Abraham is the father of all nations, Sarah the mother. To Noah, "be fruitful and multiply; Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it."6a And to man, "And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over."6b
"Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you."7
It begins with Adam,8 to Noah, to Abraham, and here to Jacob, Be fruitful and multiply, "that you may become an assembly of peoples."9 Now, Jacob renamed "Israel lived in the land of Egypt... and were fruitful and became very numerous."10 To Abraham by faith, "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore."11 To Moses by Law, the blessings came through obedience to, "I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you."8 The law came through Moses but in Christ came grace and truth, thus as Paul writes the blessing continues in the Seed, Christ,
"But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.’”12
There were conditions to the covenant to Moses, if they disobeyed he promised to take the fruitful blessings away, and his wrath would be poured out on them.13 But if they would repent and confess their iniquities he would remember his covenant.14 The scriptures compare the covenant to a marriage covenant, and as Malachi speaks Judah broke covenant committing adultery. "Or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,"15 The prophets foretell of a new covenant, a circumcision of the heart, taking out the heart of stone, a new heart capable of faithfulness.
"And I will make of you a great people, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."16
This word for people, ləḡōw, often translated as nation, is used in speech as a proper name of a people, it speaks of a Gentile people, and of the people of Israel, but specifically of descendants of Abraham. Jacob was a descendant of Abraham and when he "wrestled" with God he was renamed Israel and God told him, "a nation (people) and an assembly of people (nations) shall be of you and a King shall come from your loins."17 If we use the correct definition of people then we have a people and an assembly of people, sound familiar? we will come back to this later. The promise to bless Abraham was so that he would be a blessing to others, through his descendants.
"... saying to you I will give the land of Canaan the lot of inheritance."18
Is the promise one of land or inheritance? is it the land or is the land a "lot" of the promise? A lot is a measured portion, so the land would be a measured portion of the inheritance. "He has remembered forever his covenant the word he commanded to a thousand generations." This word for covenant speaks of an agreement, treaty, alliance toward people. Now, it is interesting that the promise is to Abraham, then Isaac... then to Moses but did they possess the land? Such seems to be always speaking of a future better promise. And also if it is everlasting land could it not speak of the future reign of Christ? and how does one explain that Israel is led away into captivity after possessing the land?
"If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne..."21
Now, we know Christ is a descendant of David and he is King, fulfilling prophecy. However, this is a very interesting verse, if we remember what occurred on the day Christ was crucified. "there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two... when they saw what had taken place, they returned home beating their breasts"22 The covenant of day and night broken? Is the covenant broke with David? The Psalmist writes though the people had broke covenant with God he would be faithful, "Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies..."23 Through the Seed, all the promise of God are yes and amen.
"for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your seed forever."24
Here the promise is to the offspring which Paul writes is through the Seed. The promise is by faith, this Abraham and even Moses saw it from a distance. Do not these of faith today see the promised land by faith? If it is by faith for a future time when Christ sets up reign on earth, in a new Jerusalem, does such a future promise break covenant? no, he fulfills his promise through the Seed, "all peoples are blessed" through the Word that became flesh and dwelt among men. How does God break a covenant that was promised in the beginning? The prophets foresaw of this covenant. In the parables Jesus told, like in the fig tree which he cursed for not bearing fruit, there were conditions on man's part, "to be a blessing" or a light on a hill. Though man broke covenant with God, he would not. However, the fulfillment is not the way some might think nor like.
"He remembered forever his covenant, the Word that he commanded a thousand generations,"25
If the Word became flesh, did He not keep covenant, His Word? We see a fruitful blessing, a promise of salvation, redemption, through the seed of Abraham. Oh, we are blessed in Christ Jesus. We have further insight from prophesy; the father of John the Baptist prophesied, that now God would "remember his holy covenant."26 If we look at this prophecy the promise would seem to be nothing about land but a plan of salvation, of redemption, forgiveness of sin, salvation, mercy promised, serving him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him. Do we see the fulfillment of such in the new covenant? salvation and justification by faith, made righteous before him by the works of Christ, standing in grace before him without fear, in perfect love, boldly one can approach him and receive grace and mercy as promised.
"He provides food for those who revere him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations."27
Here we see the poet declare the everlasting covenant as the inheritance of the nations, as Paul writes, "all nations are blessed." The Psalmist proclaims a God of righteousness, gracious and merciful, faithful and just, trustworthy, his works are established forever and ever, "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!"28 We of the promise know of this inheritance and of this power in the Holy Spirit.
"Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."29
The promise of steadfast love, this is a picture of Christ; all who are hungry and thirsty "he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."30 Christ gives living water and is bread from heaven, which we buy without price, a laboring into food that doesn't perish, to those who enter by faith into an everlasting covenant. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance."
"I will also do with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath by breaking the covenant."31
Here Israel has become even more wicked than its elder sister Samaria, and younger sister Sodom.32 "Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways." And what was this corruption? "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." They left First love and broke covenant, but God says, "yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant."33 What is the everlasting covenant? "when I atone for you for all that you have done."34 This atonement comes through the blood of Christ, and it is an everlasting covenant.
"Has his loving-kindness forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?"35
We see the promise of atonement and now we see the promise of his steadfast love, Grace, "Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?" Did God forsake his people, "Where are Your former loving-kindnesses, O Lord, Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?"36 Surely this loving-kindness is comparable to Grace. Is this not the promise of his goodness that leads men to repentance? "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."37
"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in loving-kindness and in mercy."37a
God tells the prophet Hosea to marry and love an unfaithful woman. When she is used up by men, left on the streets to die, Hosea picks her up in her filth and loves her. By faith Hosea proclaims the covenant of Grace to God's people. This word for loving-kindness is checed, "favor, loving-kindness, merciful kindness," it speaks of a covenant of loyalty. God is faithful and good, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His loving-kindness is everlasting."37b The Dispensation of Grace given through Christ was hidden in God in the beginning and though man is undeserving, his promise, his covenant of grace is everlasting.
"Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?”38
We see more of this promise of a faithful God, of salvation, though the people did not fulfill their side He would. This is the picture of Jesus, the people had broke covenant with God, divorced the companion God had given and married another. They wanted an earthly king and sought earthly wealth not realizing how poor they really were. God would fulfill his steadfast love and faithfulness, he would give his Son to take the place of Judah, and die in his stead. Though rich he would become poor to bring this salvation not only to the Jew but to all mankind, thus those by faith are the righteous descendants of Abraham.
"... My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant."39
Well you say what about the forever covenant of land? well, I say what about the forever covenant of circumcision? so we see we are at a precipice, it is called the cross and we must cross over into the promised land by faith. We see in Paul's writing that the new covenant was initiated with Abraham, the sons of Abraham are the children of God by faith, not circumcision of the flesh, but a circumcision of the heart. This circumcision of the heart was prophesied of and would be a fulfilling of the promise.
"Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live."39a
This is the new Jew, inwardly,39b and there is a new people, and there is a new Jerusalem, "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."39c This was the land Abraham foresaw and was looking toward by faith.39d And those of faith longed for such a land.39e Not the veiled glory of the old covenant but the glory of the new which far surpasses it. Not a God thundering from a mountain, where MSN is afraid to approach but...
"Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem."40a
The question is what will you believe? where will you place your trust? in the earthly Jerusalem? or in the promised land and spiritual blessings? Like those great pillars of faith who were "longing for a better country, a heavenly one,"40b I know where I go, I see it from a distance, as Jacob saw the ladder, and as the old hymn sings, I am bound for the promise land, who will come and go with me?
"And I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will increase you exceedingly great.”40c
Abraham is ninety years old when God speaks to him here. Notice the conditional "and," at first God said, "walk before me, and be blameless, And I will make my covenant..."41 By faith we walk with God. Here we see further the meaning of "increase you exceedingly great," "I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you."42 So we see part of the promise is nations, not a land of one nation but many. God wants Abraham to sacrifice his Son, such is pointing to the gospel, and it would require faith, trust in God's goodness. God operates through men by faith, even if just a remnant like Noah and his family, blessings and salvation come through men of faith.
"Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord."43
We see the desolation, it is the barrenness of a woman, and we see the promise through the descendants and its comparable terminology of seed, thus descendant being seed. The promised seed would be through the desolation. Sarah who was barren would give birth to the heir of the promise Isaac, which as Paul writes is not a promise of the flesh, Hagar, but of the Spirit, of Sarah, and the Jew of the flesh or the land is cast out as Hagar. So we see the promise is by faith and spiritual. The name Sarah means "princess" and Christ is the Prince of peace, Sarah the promise, Christ the groom, the bride of Christ God's people.
"But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. Rejoice, O barren one... For the children of the desolate one will be more... Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise."43a
Paul speaks, allegorically "these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."43b There is one born according to the flesh, the Jew of the flesh, and one according to the Spirit. Paul writes "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."43d Those of faith are "are not children of the slave but of the free woman."
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."43d
Jesus said if they abide in the truth, they would know the truth and be set free.44a "We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?"44b But they did not understand they were not free but slaves, "A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."44c Paul writes they were under a guardian of the Law, imprisoned under sin until Christ. Though Jews they were not sons of God, but through the promise, through Christ the Seed, he would give them power to become sons, heirs. He preached the Kingdom was at hand, repent and believe. "if a son, then an heir through God."
"Indeed, not by the law was the promise to Abraham or his descendants that heir he should be of the world but by righteousness of faith."44
Abraham would be the father of a multitude of nations, we see the promise is by faith.45 And we see something very important, it is a promise of being an heir. This word for heir, klēronómos (derived from klḗros, "lot" and nemō, "to distribute, allot") – an heir; someone who inherits. An heir of what? kósmos (literally, "something ordered") – properly, an "ordered system" (like the universe, creation); the world. So we see it is a promise of being an heir of the kingdom through righteousness by faith. So the question is asked, is the promise being an heir to the Kingdom of God? And what does such a Kingdom look like today?
"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”46
Jesus told them to Repent, the Kingdom of God was at hand, but the people of God were fixated on an earthly kingdom, of food that perishes. The Kingdom of God is not of earthly food that fills the belly but of faith, laboring for heavenly food that endures to eternal life, the only way coming through Christ, the bread from heaven. The people focused on the old covenant with Moses but Jesus said if they truly knew the Father they would come to him, "everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—"47
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”48
Jesus came as the Light of the world, the city of Jerusalem was suppose to have been such a light, but it dimmed and faded and when the Light came among its own they received it not. They attempted to put out the Light but he rose again defeating death and in Christ the promise is established in righteousness by faith, free from fear, oppression, and strife.49 God would establish the Church and would be provider and protector of those who put their trust in him. Such is the spiritual blessings in Christ.
"Indeed not by the Law the promise to Abraham nor his descendants that he should be heir of the world but by righteousness of faith."50
This word for world is kosmos, "the world, universe." This was the promise to Abraham to make his name great, to make his descendants numerous as the stars and sea thus the kosmos.51 Is the name of Abraham great? yes, and is his descendants numerous? yes, "those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."52 There have been estimates of close to 400 billion stars in our galaxy and 8 billion people who have entered the Kingdom of God.
"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring..."53
We establish that the promise rests on Grace, not through works of the Law. "For if those who live by the Law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,"54 The promise rests on grace, not the law, which speaks of entering into God's Rest. This is significant as Paul writes, those who go back to the Law for justification sever themselves and fall from grace. By grace through faith a new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ who came in the fullness of grace and truth. This mystery was hidden in God in the beginning and such a gospel was preached to Abraham.
"For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."55
We see the significance of the new covenant as being original, or as God's plan of salvation and redemption of his chosen people and of all people. And it was by faith; Abraham will you give your first born son? Yes, his name is great among those of faith. The descendants of Abraham are by faith in Christ, resting in grace, not under the Mosaic Law which came 430 years after the promise and doesn't cancel the promise.56 The promise was initially by Grace, as it was freely given to Abraham.57 This promise of resting in grace was a foreshadow of the grace to come in Christ.
"a people and an assembly of people shall be of you and a King shall come from you..."58
This word for people is derived from the word goy, which is used in speech as a proper name of a people and is another form of the word gev, "among," thus we see the emphasis on the word assembly. We see God manifested His goodness and displayed his manifold wisdom through the Church, the people, assembly, congregation, the nation of God's people. Of course this is nothing new, the Church has believed such for centuries, Jesus is the King, heir to the throne, descendant from David, and the "assembly of God 's people" is the Jew of the Spirit, circumcised inwardly, thus the body of Christ, the Church.
"... until the arrival of the Seed to whom the promise referred..."59
The promise would come through the Seed, Christ. Now, the Law is not contrary to the promise, no, it was a guardian until Christ, who is the Seed in which the promise referred. So we see the promise always referred to Christ. "indeed, if given a Law able to impart Life, indeed, of law in that case exists righteousness."60 The Law did not give life, as Paul writes it caused death in him, the law being spiritual and the carnal man can't subject to the laws of God. Where sin abounds, grace over abounds, thus we see resting in grace.
"but imprisoned the scriptures all things under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those believing."61
Though Abraham believed and it was counted unto him as righteousness, we see the imprisonment under sin until Christ. Under the Law they were in captivity, imprisoned, until faith is revealed.62 Though preached to Abraham, and the prophets had foresight into this mystery, it was hidden in God until God chose to reveal such wisdom through the people, the assembly, the Church being "built up" by faith working through love. Now, we might look with hindsight and think it was always faith at work but here we see the imprisonment, so that the law, Schoolmaster of them, until the revealing through Christ.
"so that the law, schoolmaster of us has been to Christ that by faith justified."63
I believe we see the purpose of the imprisonment and the guardian. We can see this in the words of the prophet; harlotry, adultery, leaving God's love, how the sisters Sodom, and Samaria were punished and how Israel seeing them being punished by the Law still disobeyed. God split the people, and Judah was left but having no power under the Law even with the fear of punishment Judash still left God's covenant for the lusts of the flesh. Judah just didn't commit adultery he also divorced the wife and married another. Now, the penalty was death so I believe we see the reason for the imprisonment? until faith is revealed through Christ, justification by faith, Christ would pay the debt for Judah.
"Indeed, all sons of God you are through faith in Christ Jesus."64
This word for hyiós, "a son, descendant" – properly, a son (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the same nature as their Father. Do you see? heir, inheritance. It has taken us a bit to get here, I get excited at revelation, so hopefully I have kept to the topic, so bear with me. I believe we have arrived at the promise. Yes, it is clear, the blessings through the descendants of Abraham, to the sons of Abraham, those by faith, justification by faith, the abundance of grace given and the gift of righteousness received will those reign in Christ. Yes, it is a matter of inheritance of being an heir, a child of God.
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."65
Now, we make an important observation "in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."66 All peoples, all nations, not one nation, are blessed in Christ Jesus. Paul writes, stating the promise was not to seeds, but seed, meaning One, who is Christ.67 When God said "All nations will be blessed through you," it was a foretelling of the gospel, as Paul writes.68 So if this was a foretelling of the gospel and the promise is fulfilled through the Seed, to the descendants of Abraham, which are by faith then the blessings come to the sons of Abraham by faith, the Jew of the Spirit not the flesh. Lets look more at this promise. The blessings are through the Seed.
"Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people. And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’"69
Paul writes Moses wrote of the gospel, we see this in the signs in the wilderness, the serpent was lifted up for salvation, the manna from heaven, the water flowing from the rock, these pointed to Christ. And here we see he was also the Prophet, who all other prophets gave witness and authority to. The Church, the assembly of God's people, is built upon the prophets and the apostles, Jesus being the cornerstone.
"But you denied the Holy and Righteous One... and you killed the Author of life..."70
Peter speaks this to the Jews, "the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers"71 Like a marriage covenant they were unfaithful to the covenant, but God promised salvation and mercy. We see the condition of receiving the blessings, thus to receive the promise, repentance was required, "God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”72
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."73
God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah, it is a moving, compassionate promise, an eternal covenant of peace. Though he hid temporarily in anger his face he establishes a covenant of peace, of everlasting love.74 Such is a covenant of peace as Christ is the Prince of Peace, he would bring peace with God and a dispensation of grace, a promise of his everlasting love for us. The promise would be peace to their children or descendants, and they would be taught by the Lord.75
"Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved."76
Paul writes he was deeply sorrowed for Israel, "It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel."77 As he writes elsewhere, "a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter."78 And now we see another element of the promise,
"The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live."79
You see the promise of the Spirit? the circumcision of the heart as we know today is being born of Spirit or born from above, "And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."80
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”81
Those who would be taught by the Lord are those who receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. This receiving is a Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father! This is a new creation, unlike any previous one but like the first man, as Paul writes, Christ is the second man and the first of a new creation. The promise was of salvation, of redemption, the forgiveness of sin, of a new creation. Thus occurred when we believed, how? by faith. The Spirit is a guarantee of our inheritance, a deposit so to say, of the promised land.
"For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”82
Mary the mother of Jesus spoke of the promise. We see the promise of the Spirit when she speaks “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"83 and she speaks of holiness, mercy, the mighty arm of salvation, exaltation of the humble, and the hungry fed. We do not see a mention of land in this promise. Everything would point to Christ and blessings through all nations but what about an everlasting promise of land?
"And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your
sojournings, all the land of Canaan as possession, forever, being the same God.”84
The Church has for centuries believed the promised land to be heavenly, but such has shifted as Israel has returned to the land. Notice the translation of this verse it differs, most say "all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”85 One states God is everlasting the other states the promise of the land being everlasting. This word for everlasting or forever, is olam, forever, perpetual, successive generations. "For all the land which you see I will give to you and your seed until forever."86
“Lift up your eyes and look... for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted."87
How much dust is there, or sand in the sea, or there stars in the sky? Scientists estimate 400 billion stars in our galaxy and over 150 billion galaxies. That's a lot of people. Some have estimated over 7 billion Christians have lived since Christ, that is about the size of the world population today, surely they would not all fit in this land seen by Abraham, no, by faith Abraham entered into the promised land. "the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise."88
"By faith he went to live in the land of promise..."89
"By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain..."90 It was not based upon "first fruit" but by faith Abel believed, such is symbolic of the first born pointing to Christ and of a better covenant. Before the promise to Abraham, Noah "became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."91 Though Abraham live in the promised land, he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, in a foreign land occupied by others, they did not have possession of it. "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Even Moses saw the land from a distance and wrote of Christ. So we see a promised land by faith.
"... were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it"92
By faith Abraham entered the promise, it was a shadow of things to come like the Law was a shadow of things to come, keeping Israel under guardian until the appointed time. Now, the Holy Spirit is this deposit as Paul writes, "guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it." We too are counted righteous by faith, but we have the eternal promise within us, a gift from God, a guarantee of our inheritance.
"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord."93
The prophet Hosea knew of God's heart for his people, they had went astray from his love. God would lure her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her, to give her a door of hope, he would have mercy on those who he said he would not have mercy on and to those not his people he would call his people. Paul writes of this promise, as the Church being betroth, the bride of Christ.
"For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ"93
In the new covenant we see the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, of promised holiness, mercy and grace, redemption, the forgiveness of sin, and of being heirs, not that it is deserved but "according to the riches of His grace." And we see we can enter the promised land by faith, one day we will acquire possession of it, "to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."94
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."95
What A Beautiful Name