Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

“To your descendants I have given this land,
From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:”  Genesis 15:18.  

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In the immediately prior Scripture covered by yesterday’s devotion, the LORD promised to Abram, that even though Abram was childless at an old age, the LORD would give descendants to Abram as many as the stars in the heavens.  Genesis 15:5.

In today’s Scripture, the LORD promised to Abram that He would give land (elsewhere referred to as Canaan or “the promised land”) to Abram’s descendants.  There is both an earthly fulfillment and a heavenly fulfillment.

The lesson that we can glean from today’s Scripture is the encouragement that the LORD takes care of the children of His elect.  The covenant was not just for Abram.  The covenant included Abram’s descendants.  The covenant lovingly wraps around and hugs the whole family.     

Professor Engelsma, in his book Trinity and Covenant – God as Holy Family on page 117 under the title:  “Covenant as Fellowship”, states:  “There is pervasive and persuasive biblical evidence that the covenant of grace established by God with his church in Jesus Christ is essentially a relationship of fellowship.  God is their God, and they are his people.  …  He graciously makes and fulfills promises that bestow salvation upon the covenant people.  …  God in Jesus Christ knows the covenant people in love, draws them near to himself …  The covenant is family fellowship (Emphasis added by Bill) …  This is how Scriptures want us to think of the covenant.  A father and mother who passionately love their children live with them, giving themselves to them and enjoying them.  …”  

Now, this does not necessarily mean that every child of the elect is saved.  “Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”  Romans 9:13.  This also does not mean that every elect child will prosper as we may think they should prosper.  But, we can be assured that the LORD graciously and liberally saves and prospers elect descendants within the covenant family. 

How often do we hear God identify Himself as “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.”!  See, for examples, Acts 7:32, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, Exodus 4:5, Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26, and Luke 20:37  

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”  (Emphasis added.) Acts 2:39

“All your sons will be taught of the Lord;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.”  Isaiah 54:14.

““¹ But now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
And Israel, whom I have chosen:
² Thus says the Lord who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you,
‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant;
And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
³ ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;
⁴ And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.’
⁵ “This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
And that one will call on the name of Jacob;
And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the Lord,’
And will name Israel’s name with honor.”  Isaiah 44:1-5.