I will make u into a great nation, & I will bless u; I will make ur name great, and u will b a blessing...& peoples on earth will b blessed thru u. Gen.12:2-3

Audio Link: http://mylandmarkchurch.com/basics/20110105.mp3

A New People by God’s Promise

In an important way, Genesis 12 is the beginning of the Bible’s redemption story. Now that we’ve been introduced to God and have a glimpse of the way humanity relates to God, we see the beginning of a plan that doesn’t reach completion until the final chapters of Revelation.

 That plan begins with a promise in Genesis 12:1-3. God tells Abraham*he will receive greatness and blessing – he’ll have a great name and a great nation so that all the nations will be blessed through him.

 God’s promise to Abraham is unconditional – God is going to do it. But, along with the promise comes instruction to Abraham. He is to leave everything he knows and go where God sends him.

 Because Abraham trusts God and obeys, he is held up as an example of faith throughout the rest of the Bible. And because God keeps his promise to Abraham, we can benefit from Abraham’s blessing through Christ.

 *Yes, I know he’s named Abram at this point.

Today’s reading: Genesis 12-14
This week’s reading:  Genesis 3-23