Was God's promise that Sarah would bear Isaac a promise or a command?
God's statement that Sarah would bear Isaac was a promise, not a command. It rested on God's declaration that Sarah would indeed bear a son, and because God said it, it would certainly come to pass. The instruction to name him Isaac accompanied that promise.
Les explains that in Genesis 17:18 Abraham had asked that Ishmael might live before God, but God responded that Sarah his wife would bear him a son indeed, and he was to call his name Isaac. Les asks what that is and answers, "That's a promise." He notes that whenever God said "I will," it was a promise. Even though Abraham and Sarah may have lost sight of it, it was still God's promise and was going to happen. Les applies the same principle to Israel: God has promised to return, be their king, and give them the kingdom, and it will happen because God has said it. Man does not operate on God's timetable; we get impatient, but with the eternal God time does not mean anything. He also notes that God will establish His covenant with Isaac for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him.
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
What did God promise Abraham about Sarah and Isaac?
God promised Abraham that Sarah his wife would indeed bear him a son, and that he must name the child Isaac. God further promised to establish His everlasting covenant with Isaac and with Isaac's seed after him. This was God's promise, and it would surely happen even if Abraham and Sarah lost sight of it.
Why did God's promise to Abraham and Sarah still come true after they lost sight of it?
God's promise to Abraham and Sarah still came true because it rested on God's own declaration, not on their continued focus. God had said 'I will,' making it a promise that He would fulfill. Since God is eternal and not bound by time, their losing sight of it could not cancel what He had spoken.
More Questions
What was God's promise to Abraham about Sarah bearing a son?
When God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a son and he would be called Isaac, that was a promise.
What did God promise Abraham about the son he would have?
God had promised that Abraham would have a son and that he was to name him Isaac.