The Apostle Paul clearly tells us that the gospel of justification by faith was “preached beforehand” in the covenant God made with Abraham. (1) In a series of revelations (Gen. 12-17) God promises three distinct blessings to Abraham: a royal heir, a great nation as his offspring, and a promised land. While the carrying out of this covenant includes stipulations-including Abraham’s departure from his homeland and obedient reception of the covenant sign of circumcision-the fundamental principle informing this covenant is grace. Abraham is justified by faith, not on the basis of his obedience (Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4).
The graciousness of this covenant is emphasized by the ratification ceremony recorded in Genesis 15:9ff. Here it is God himself who is bound by oath to fulfill his word. God’s faithfulness, not Abraham’s, will secure the promised blessings. (2) Indeed, in Genesis, Abraham and his kin are characterized by their unfaithfulness, while God continues to fulfill his promises despite them.
Finally, it is essential to realize that each of these promises is fulfilled in two distinct stages, first according to type and finally according to fulfillment. Thus, the history of the nation of Israel fulfills the first stage of God’s promises to Abraham; the king, great nation, and promised land are all attained for a limited time. Yet this very same history points forward to a greater consummation in Christ. Paul tells us that only the children of Abraham by faith are the “true” Israel, and Hebrews 11 informs us that Abraham all along was seeking a heavenly country. (3)
