What did the star promise in Genesis 15:5 mean about Abraham's descendants?
The star promise in Genesis 15:5 signified Abraham’s spiritual seed, a heavenly people, not merely the earthly dust-like descendants through Israel. It pointed to a spiritual relationship of people who would share in his promises, extending blessing beyond the Jew to all families of the earth.
Les teaches that in Genesis 15:5 God brought Abraham forth and told him to look toward heaven and count the stars, specifically not the dust or particles of the earth, but the heavenly bodies: “so shall thy seed be.” Les explains this is talking about a spiritual relationship of people. Abraham is not only getting the view of the earthly promises that will come through the nation of Israel, but he is also getting a view of a heavenly people who will be part and parcel of his promises. This connects back to Genesis 12:3, where the covenant promise says that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed, not just the Jew. Les then directs attention to Romans 4, where Abraham is referred to in detail.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.