Chapter 125—Renewed to Abraham
I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after
thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Genesis 17:7
.
After the Flood the people once more increased on the earth, and
wickedness also increased.... The Lord finally left the hardened transgressors
to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and
made him the keeper of His law for future generations.
This same covenant [the covenant of grace] was renewed to Abraham
in the promise “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”
(
Genesis 22:18
). This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood
it, and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that
was accounted to him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also
maintained the authority of God’s law. The Lord appeared unto Abraham,
and said, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect”
(
Genesis 17:1
). The testimony of God concerning His faithful servant was,
“Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my
statutes, and my laws” (
Genesis 26:5
)....
Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham, it
could not be ratified until the death of Christ. It had existed by the promise
of God since the first intimation of redemption had been given; it had been
accepted by faith; yet when ratified by Christ, it is called a new covenant. The
law of God was the basis of this covenant, which was simply an arrangement
for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them
where they could obey God’s law.
If it were not possible for human beings under the Abrahamic covenant
to keep the commandments of God, every soul of us is lost. The Abrahamic
covenant is the covenant of grace. “By grace are ye saved” (
Ephesians 2:8
).
Disobedient children? No, obedient to all His commandments.
Abraham’s unquestioning obedience was one of the most striking
instances of faith and reliance upon God to be found in the Sacred Record....
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