What is the Abrahamic Promise?
Genesis 22:17-18, God said, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Who were the heirs of the promise?
Only Isaac was considered the child of promise because God said the child would be born of Sarah. (Confirmed in Genesis 26:1-5.) Isaac then had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Although, Esau as the firstborn should have been the heir, he sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a portion of lentil stew. (Genesis 25:31-34.) Jacob, as heir, had a total of twelve sons. His name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with an angel. (Genesis 32:28.)
Jacobs’s twelve sons multiplied and became the “twelve tribes of Israel.” God cared for His family of Israel, delivered them from Egypt, and supervised their affairs for several centuries saying, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth,” Amos 3:2.
Gentiles are all peoples and nations who are not Israelites. God only gave the Law to and made a covenant with Israel through Moses.
The Abrahamic promise guaranteed the blessing of all nations. This would include the Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles, who accept Jesus now and covenant to do God’s will, are heirs of the promise in the present. Galatians 3:29 (ESV), “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Faithful Christians will receive a heavenly resurrection. The rest of mankind, the majority, will be resurrected on earth.
Zechariah prophesied of this future time in Zechariah 8:20–23. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Peoples shall yet come…The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem…’ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ” At that time, the Jews will accept Jesus as Savior, as must all mankind. (See Zechariah 12:10-14.)
So the seed of Abraham, the Israelites, shall bless all Gentile nations because God will be with them.