What is the most important promise in the Bible? Some suggest it is Genesis 12:1-3 which states, “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 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’”. Well, perhaps this is not the most important, but is sure is up there with the best of them! What is it that makes this promise so important? What makes this promise so foundational is that it serves as a driving force behind much of redemptive history. In fact, I would say this promise reaches as far as the events visioned in Revelation 21-22. Here is what I mean.

When God promised Abraham a people, a nation, a land, and a blessing for the whole world, he likely did not understand the full extent of these promises. He probably imagined an earthly kingdom, with people who worshipped God and blessed the various nations of the world through their piety and knowledge. Actually, something like this was very real in the time of David and Solomon. Just go read 1 Kings 4 and see how the author links Solomon to the Abrahamic promises (Gen 12:1-3; 22:17). Yet this kingdom did not last but was torn apart by idolatry and wickedness. Either God’s promises failed with Solomon, or he had a better plan. That better plan came in the form of the very Son of God, who came preaching a new kingdom. This kingdom would be spiritual and not of this world (John 18:36). This kingdom would be filled with believers who were delivered out of the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). This kingdom would bless the world, as Jesus told his disciples to declare his name to every nation of the earth (Matthew 28:19). And this kingdom would find its ultimate expression in the age to come and in a heavenly city called Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26; Revelation 21:2).

What God promised to Abraham is a foundational promise. It is a promise which continues to be unfolded to this very day. If you think about, you are a part of this promise too! You, who have faith, have been blessed by Abraham’s greater son, Jesus Christ. And even today you and I spread that blessing even further as the gospel goes forth. Praise the Lord that even 3000 (give or take) years later he has not abandoned his promise. He is true to his word, this day and forever!