Seed of Abraham

Old Testament Prophecy:  I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 13:3)

New Testament Fulfillment:  The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

Centuries before the birth of Jesus, God announced the family patriarch through whom the Messiah’s lineage would pass.  God had chosen Abraham for this honor.

God called of Abraham included a promise of fertile land, many descendants and somehow becoming a blessing to the whole earth and all who lived upon her.  The first two parts were not that much of a stretch for Abraham to imagine.  Land was plentiful – if you could defeat those currently occupying it; and descendents required only time.  The promise of fertile land and many descendants made it harder to achieve, but certainly not beyond God’s abilities.

But the last part of the promise was the incredible part.  Abraham must have paused and thought, “How is a descendent of mine going to bless the whole world?”  Was such a thing even possible?

What better blessing – and one that would impact every soul living on the planet – than having God’s Messiah born out of your lineage?  And this is exactly what happened.

Matthew starts his Gospel (and the New Testament) with this announcement: Jesus is the one from Abraham’s line that will bless the world!  Christ was a title reserved for the Messiah.  So in this one sentence Matthew announces Jesus is the Messiah, and from Abraham’s lineage. 

Jewish records of lineage were very detailed and maintained meticulously.  They had to be so that candidates for the priesthood could prove they were of the right lineage for the honor and position.  The line of Abraham was known; as was the fact that David was a part of it.  The lineage from David clearly could be tracked as well, and it lead to Jesus.  No serious student of the ancient records or of Scripture can dispute the truth here presented:

·         God said Abraham’s seed would bless the world.

·         Jesus was part of Abraham’s seed.

·         Jesus blessed the world.

Prophecy made and prophecy fulfilled.