A TRIP THROUGH THE BIBLE

Many people know bits and pieces of the Bible but have no general sense of how it all fits together. They see no common theme running through it. Working a picture puzzle, you first put the border around it, then fit the pieces into a framework. Galatians 3:16-19 helps to give a context to the whole Bible. As you read it, look for these three words: Promise(s), Law and Faith (or Gospel).

There were ten generations from Adam to Noah, then ten more from Noah to Abraham. In Gen. 12:1-3,7; 13:14-16; 15:18 God made three basic promises to Abraham: A NATION would come from him – that was Israel. A LAND would be given to that nation – Canaan A SEED (singular) would come out of the nation to bless all nations of the earth- that was Christ (Gal. 3:16).

From Gen. 12 on, the story of the Bible is wrapped up in these three promises.

THE NATION

God renewed his promises to Abraham, to Isaac and then to Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel). When they went down into Egypt in the time of Joseph there were 70 souls (Gen. 46:26-27).

When they came out, led by Moses, there were about 600,000 men, not counting women and children (Ex. 12:37). Estimated between 2 and 3 million. A nation. It was to that nation that God gave the law from Mt. Sinai (Deut. 5:1-3).

THE LAND PROMISE

To be given after “the iniquity of the Amorite was full (Gen. 15:16). The boundaries – From the River of Egypt to the great River (Euphrates). (1 Kgs. 4:21). That was the very territory over which David and Solomon ruled.

THREE PROMISES ABOUT THE LAND

To GIVE it to them. Joshua said he gave it to them – (Josh. 21:43-44). To SCATTER them from the land if they served idols – (Josh. 23:11-16).

After the kingdom divided in the time of Rehoboam, with 10 tribes of Israel serving Jeroboam, they quickly went into idolatry – (1 Kgs. 12:25-33). God sent prophets to warn them – Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, Nahum, Habbakuk, and early part of Isaiah. They foretold Assyrian captivity unless they repented.

They refused to listen. Every king in the northern kingdom of Israel was evil and followed in the way of Jeroboam. In 722-221 B.C., the Assyrians conquered the kingdom of Israel, deported many of the people to various parts of the empire and then resettled other captives from other lands in Israel. These,in time, intermarried with those left in the land, forming the Samaritans.

TO RECOVER A REMNANT AFTER JUDAH HAD BEEN IN CAPTIVITY FOR 70 YEARS. THIRD PROMISE TO RECOVER A REMNANT AFTER JUDAH HAD BEEN IN CAPTIVITY FOR 70 YEARS.

Judah also followed idolatrous practices Judah also followed idolatrous practices. Manasseh even practiced human sacrifice to idols (2 Kngs. 21:1-6, 10-12). Jeremiah warned of coming captivity as did Isaiah. He said captivity would last 70 years in Babylon (Jer. 29:10). Captivity in three stages – 606, 597, 586 B.C. After that a remnant would return (Jer. 23.3).

O. T. history ends with the remnant back into the land O.T. history ends with the remnant back into the land. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi all are set in that time frame – (Ezra 1:1-4; Neh. 1:1-5). All the land promises God ever made to Israel have therefore been fulfilled. So, the Old Testament is all about the nation and land promises.

THE SEED PROMISE

The New Testament is about the seed (singular – Gal The New Testament is about the seed (singular – Gal. 3:16) which is Christ. The first two promises were physical. The seed promise was spiritual – all nations to be blessed through him.

CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW (MT. 5:17-19; ROM. 10:4; COL. 2:14-17).

The law was a tutor (schoolmaster to bring the Jew to Christ (Gal But now that faith is come, no longer under the tutor (Gal. 3:25).

Now we are children of God by faith not by nationality (Gal. 3:26). But how many are children of God by faith in Christ? “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ” (verse 27). That is the final act which puts us into Christ where “all spiritual blessings” are found (Eph. 1:3).

THE RESULTS OF BEING IN CHRIST

National boundaries are not important (“THERE is neither Jew nor Greek”) Social relations do not matter (THERE is neither bond nor free”). Gender does not hinder relationship with God, or being in Christ (THERE is neither male nor female”).

We are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Only in this way can all men of every nation be the true heirs of the seed promise to Abraham, and be a part of spiritual Israel (Gal. 3:29).

TO BE “IN CHRIST” IS THE SAME AS BEING IN HIS CHURCH.

He said “I will build my church” (Mt. 16:18). Christ, the seed of Abraham, is “head over all things to the church” (Col. 1:18).

When people obey him, they are “added” to the church Jesus built (Acts 2:47; Eph. 2:16). There is no such thing as being saved and not being a member of the church. The church IS the saved.

THIS BLESSING IS FOR ALL NATIONS.

The Great Commission calls for the gospel to be preached in all the world to the end of time (Mk. 16:15-16; Mt. 28:18-20). The early Christians took that seriously (Acts 8:4).

What about you? Have you been “blessed” by being “in him?” (Acts 3:24-26). He “blesses” us by turning us away from our iniquities. Have you turned away from yours? That is how “all the kindreds of the earth” are “blessed” through him.

Read Acts 8:26-40. Do YOU believe what that treasurer said he believed? If you do, what hinders you from being baptized? NOW?