We’ve got more treasure to seek today, so let’s continue our study of God’s covenant.  You may be wondering, “What does this covenant have to do with prophecy?”  Good question …thanks for asking!  God prophesied a land and descendants to Abraham, and if those prophesies were never fulfilled, there would be no Jewish people group or nation of Israel!  This is how God chose to birth and develop His chosen people!

Furthermore, according to passages we studied yesterday, the Jewish nation must descend through Isaac and Jacob.  Therefore, let’s explore God’s re-affirmation with Abraham’s son, Isaac; and Isaac’s son, Jacob.

Read Genesis 26:1-5.  Interestingly, just as God outlined a 7-pronged promise to Abram in Genesis 12, He re-affirms a 7-pronged promise to Isaac.  What are those seven promises?

Just as indicated in Scripture, God’s covenant with Abraham was to be passed down through Isaac and Jacob.  Read Genesis 28:10-17.  How many promises do you find re-affirmed to Jacob?

As an important side note, we are told in Genesis 32:24-32, that Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord.  As a result, God changed Jacob’s name (v27-28).  What was Jacob’s new name?

God’s promise was to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (to whom the nation of Israel became a namesake).  They were promised a land and many descendants.  Scripture tells us that Jacob had 12 sons, and those 12 sons became heads of the 12 tribes of Israel.

In Genesis 49  Jacob (Israel) issued blessings to his 12 sons prior to his death.  To review Jacob’s descendants and the 12 tribes of Israel, take time to read the entire chapter.

The blessing of Judah proved to be prophetic.  We discover that Judah means “praise,” and that his brothers would bow down to him.  (Verse 8)  Judah became the kingly tribe of Israel and, 640 years later, King David, from the tribe of Judah, was anointed king of Israel.  Genesis 49:10 tells us that the ruler’s scepter shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes.  Shiloh means “the one who brings peace.”  When the Prince of Peace rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, that prophecy was fulfilled!

Finally, to close our study today, read Genesis 50:24.  Genesis 49:22 tells us that Jacob’s son, Joseph, means “fruitful bough by a spring.”  It was Joseph who proved to be the fruitful bough of blessing to his brothers.  After all his brothers had done to him (thrown into a pit to die, sold into Egyptian slavery, etc), Joseph blessed them prior to his death!  According to Genesis 50:24, what promise did he give to his brothers?

Through thick and thin, God’s oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proves true!  God has fulfilled every promise to this point.  Will He not fulfill every remaining promise?  O, what a Blessed Hope we have!