Which verses of Genesis make up the Abrahamic covenant?
The Abrahamic covenant is found in Genesis 12:1-3. These first three verses of Genesis 12 record God's call to Abraham, promising to make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless all families of the earth through him.
Les explains that Genesis 12:1-3 constitutes the Abrahamic covenant. God speaks to Abraham, telling him to leave his country, kindred, and father's house for a land God will show him. God promises to make of Abraham a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and make him a blessing. God will bless those who bless Abraham, curse those who curse him, and in Abraham all families of the earth will be blessed. Les notes God has not changed His mind; the covenant remains valid and true and will be fulfilled. Christ's first coming was to fulfill these promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but Israel rejected it and crucified their Messiah. God set them aside and blinded them, but He has not taken them out of His program; He will return to finish the Abrahamic covenant. Les then turns to Genesis 15 to show Abraham's humanity, noting Old Testament characters were as human as we are.
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
What verses make up the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12?
The Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12 consists of verses 1, 2, and 3. Verse 1 records God telling Abraham to leave his country and kindred for a land God would show him. Verses 2 and 3 contain promises of a great nation, blessing, a great name, and blessing for all families of the earth.
Why does Genesis 12:1 say 'Now the Lord had said' instead of just 'the Lord said'?
The phrase points back to an earlier command. Genesis 12:1 uses 'had said' because the Lord had already spoken to Abraham back in chapter 11, telling him to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house for a land God would show him. Chapter 12 records the covenant after that prior instruction.