Did God's promise come through Isaac rather than Ishmael?
Yes, the promise came through Abraham and Isaac, not Ishmael. The text says that through Abraham and Isaac would come the next son of promise, and that God's purpose according to election stands not of works or human deserving, but of Him who calls.
Les explains that God made the promise that through Abraham and Isaac, not Ishmael, would come the next son of promise. He then points to Rebecca conceiving by Isaac, with twins Esau and Jacob not yet born and neither having done good or evil, so that God's purpose according to election might stand—not of works or what man deserves, but of Him who calls, the sovereign God. Les illustrates this with the river of life and doors marked “Whosoever will may come,” then the chosen from before the foundation of the world.
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
See the restWho did God promise the line of promise would come through, Isaac or Ishmael?
God promised that the line of promise would come through Isaac, not Ishmael. The promise passed through Abraham and Isaac to the next son of promise, showing God's elective purpose. Ishmael was excluded from this particular promised lineage. Scripture later ties the promise to Isaac's descendants, including Jacob rather than Esau.
Why did God's promise come through Isaac and not Ishmael?
God’s promise came through Isaac rather than Ishmael because His purpose according to election was to stand, not of works or human deserving, but of Himself as the sovereign God who calls. The line of promise was therefore determined by divine choice, not by natural birth or merit.