Genesis 12 is a pivotal chapter not only in the book of Genesis but in the whole bible. After the nations have been dispersed throughout the world from Babel, God's plan is to make himself known to those nations through one man and one Offspring through one people. He calls Abraham (Abram) out of his idolatrous life and makes extraordinary promises. I will show you a country that will be yours when you leave your life and follow me (12:1). I will make you a great nation (12:2). I will make your name great (12:2). I will bless you so you will be a blessing (12:2). I will bless those who bless you (12:3). I will curse those who curse you (12:3). I will bless all the nations of the earth in you.
God makes promises to Abraham that God will keep. In these promises there are no indications that Abraham can do anything to achieve himself what God is promising to do. The do not seem to be conditioned on Abraham's ability to make them happen. In saying that, as God continues to reveal more understanding for Abraham about these promises, we do see that there are conditional expectations upon Abraham in his relationship with God.
Genesis 17:1-2 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly."
Genesis 18:17-19 The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."
Genesis 22:15-17 And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.
When we read these texts, we may become confused. How can God unconditionally say "I will" and then show that there is indeed a conditionality for Abraham's offspring to receive his promise. We know that the promise God made Abraham was beyond him but extended to his offspring to meet the condition to receive his promise in full. That brings us to a further problem. As we look through the life of Abraham's children, we find that they constantly miss the mark. The constantly break their covenant with God and are unable to meet the perfect standard of God to obtain all the promises and blessings he had promised them in Abraham.
We are constantly looking for an Offspring of Abraham who will meet all of God's perfect standard and receive all the promises and blessings of God.
In Genesis 15 and 22 we are given a huge hint as to why God can keep his promises that seem to be in a sense both conditional and unconditional. It is because God himself will meet the conditions FOR us.
Many theologians constantly debate about whether the covenants are conditional or unconditional (unilateral or bilateral). To me, it becomes a moot point when we understand the bigger picture. Only God can meet his standard. We can never meet his standard. Therefore, only God can keep the terms of his covenant FOR US.
This week we celebrate Easter - the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second in the Trinity, truly God and truly man. This week we debate so much less about the conditionality or unconditionality of the covenants and look intently at the "KEPTNESS" of the covenant. In Christ we have a New Covenant because he has come and kept what none of us could keep. Christ has received all of God's promises FOR US. God has done it FOR US. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.