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I’m Tom Nicholas — a pastor, teacher, and community builder living in Billings, Montana. My life and ministry flow from one heartbeat: to see the Church alive — Spirit-filled, rooted in Scripture, and moving with Jesus into the world. I serve as a pastor, chaplain, and mentor, helping people grow in faith, leadership, and everyday discipleship. Whether around a campfire, in a coffee shop, or through digital spaces, I believe the gospel belongs where life happens — in the field, among the people, and around the table. Through The Church Alive, I write about biblical leadership, spiritual formation, and building vibrant, missional communities that reflect the love and courage of Christ.

Week 39 — The Promise to Abraham: Covenant of Blessing and the Coming King

Main Reading: Genesis 12:1–3; 15; 17; 22:17–18
Theme: God Establishes the Covenant Line of Messiah
Messianic Focus: Yeshua as the Promised Seed of Abraham Through Whom All Nations Are Blessed

🌿 Overview

With Abraham, the Messianic hope becomes a covenant, not just a promise.

Where Week 37 gave the first prophecy of the Redeemer, and Week 38 traced the righteous line through Noah and Shem, Week 39 brings us to the moment God binds Himself to fulfilling the Messianic hope through one man, one family, and one nation.

Abraham’s story reveals:

  • God’s initiative in calling and blessing
  • the narrowing of the Messianic line
  • the pattern of faith that leads to righteousness
  • the covenant promise that shapes Israel’s entire destiny
  • the promise that the nations will be blessed through Abraham’s Seed

This covenant becomes the backbone of Scripture — and the foundation for understanding Yeshua as Messiah.

🌿 Key Scriptures

  • Genesis 12:1–3 — The call of Abraham & the promise to bless all nations
  • Genesis 15 — Covenant ceremony & promise of descendants
  • Genesis 17 — Sign of the covenant
  • Genesis 22:15–18 — Oath confirming the coming Seed who will conquer

🌿 Supporting Readings

  • Psalm 105:6–10
  • Isaiah 51:1–6
  • Luke 1:54–55, 68–75
  • Galatians 3:6–29
  • Hebrews 6:13–20

🌿 Hebrew Notes (Integrated)

1. Brit — בְּרִית — “covenant”

A binding, relational commitment initiated by God.
The Abrahamic covenant is unilateral — God Himself passes through the pieces (Gen. 15).

2. Emunah — אֱמוּנָה — “faith, faithfulness, steadfast trust”

Abraham believes God, and it is counted to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

3. Yachal — יָחַל — “to wait, hope expectantly”

Abraham’s life is marked by hopeful waiting on God’s word.

4. Zeraʿ — זֶרַע — “seed, offspring”

The same word from Genesis 3:15 reappears — now tied to Abraham’s future descendant.

🌿 Messianic Connection

1. Yeshua is the promised Seed of Abraham

Paul makes this explicit:

“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed…
that Seed is Messiah.”
(Galatians 3:16)

The Messianic hope is now anchored in the Abrahamic covenant.

2. Through Yeshua all nations are blessed

The promise “all families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:3)
is fulfilled through Messiah’s salvation going to the ends of the earth.

3. Abraham’s faith foreshadows the faith of Messiah’s disciples

Abraham believed what he could not see.
So do we, as we wait for the fullness of Messiah’s Kingdom.

4. The near-sacrifice of Isaac prefigures the Father’s offering of His Son

Genesis 22 is one of the clearest prophetic shadows of the crucifixion:

  • a beloved son
  • carrying wood
  • ascending the mountain
  • bound
  • the substitute provided by God

Abraham names the place:
Adonai yir’eh — “The LORD will provide.”

5. Messiah inherits the nations as Abraham’s true heir

Psalm 2 and Romans 4 both connect Yeshua to global inheritance.

🌿 Moral & Spiritual Application

1. Faith begins with hearing God’s call and stepping out

Abraham leaves everything familiar because God spoke.

2. Faith is a long road, not an instant fulfillment

Abraham waited years — disciples must learn holy patience.

3. God’s covenant faithfulness sustains generations

What God begins, He sustains.

4. Obedience is the pathway of blessing

Abraham’s life models trust expressed through action.

5. God invites us into a story bigger than ourselves

Every believer is grafted into Abraham’s family of faith.

🕎 7-Day Devotional

DayReadingFocusHebrew WordMessianic Insight
1Gen. 12:1–3Call of AbrahamBritMessiah begins the blessing to all nations.
2Gen. 15Covenant ceremonyEmunahMessiah fulfills Abraham’s faith.
3Gen. 17Covenant sign—Messiah brings a circumcised heart.
4Gen. 21Birth of IsaacYachalMessiah is the promised child of hope.
5Gen. 22:1–14The test—Isaac foreshadows Yeshua, the beloved Son.
6Gen. 22:15–18Oath of blessingZeraʿMessiah is the Seed who conquers.
7Gal. 3:6–29Heirs with AbrahamEmunahBelievers are Abraham’s family in Messiah.

🌿 Discussion Questions

  1. What does Abraham’s calling reveal about God’s heart for the world?
  2. Why is faith so central in the Abrahamic story?
  3. How does the binding of Isaac deepen your understanding of the cross?
  4. In what ways are you being called to “go” or “leave” like Abraham?
  5. How does it impact you to know that you share in Abraham’s blessing through Messiah?

🌿 Prayer Focus

Thank God for His covenant faithfulness and for the blessing poured out through Abraham.
Ask for a heart like Abraham’s — willing to trust, follow, and offer everything to God.
Praise Yeshua, the promised Seed, who brings salvation to all nations.

🌿 Memory Verse

Genesis 15:6

“And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.”

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