What two groups of people did God promise Abraham in Genesis 15?
God promised Abraham two connected groups: an earthly progeny, the children of Israel, and a heavenly progeny—those who enter in by faith and faith alone, identified in Scripture as the Church. This twofold promise distinguished the earthly people Israel from the heavenly people, the Church.
Les explains that Genesis 15 records God bringing Abraham outside to look at the stars. God was not playing games; in His infinite sovereign grace He was promising Abraham two different groups of people that would be connected to Him. The dust of the earth represented Abraham's earthly offspring, who came by virtue of the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the children of Israel. Looking heavenward represented a heavenly connection: those who enter in like Abraham did, by faith and faith alone. Les notes that Scripture presents two concepts: the earthly people Israel and the heavenly people the Church. Abraham was promised a connection to both of them, a twofold promise.
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.
More Questions
What does the dust of the earth represent in God's promise to Abraham?
The dust of the earth represents Abraham's earthly offspring, who came through the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
What are the two parts of God's twofold promise to Abraham?
The twofold promise to Abraham includes an earthly nation of Israel and a future group who would be connected to God only in the spiritual realm.
How did God deal with Abraham when He brought him forth in Genesis 15?
When Genesis 15 says 'He brought him forth,' Les believes this means that the Lord dealt with Abraham on a face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball basis.
Who are Abraham's heavenly progeny?
Abraham's heavenly progeny are those who have entered in like he did, by faith and faith alone.