The Genealogy of JesusSample

My favorite things to study in Scripture are covenants. Covenants help in understanding the Old Testament. To this day, when a rainbow arches across the expanse of the sky, I’m reminded of God’s grace to humanity extended through the Noahic Covenant. How amazing to know God orchestrated a covenant with us. Talk about a losing proposition! God is perfect, unable to break His word—and we are imperfect, unable to keep ours’.

One of the most prominent covenants in scripture is called the Abrahamic Covenant. It’s a unilateral covenant, meaning it’s solely dependent on God. And it’s a progressive covenant, meaning it has several parts: land, children, circumcision, and blessing. Today, you read what I find to be the most interesting part of the Abrahamic Covenant; the fact that Abraham is put to sleep while God cuts or ratifies this covenant. Abraham became the father of the nation of Israel and a prominent figure in the lineage of Christ. This blessing was not because of what Abraham brought into the relationship. Abraham wasn’t even conscious! It was all God.

The genealogy of Jesus was beautifully orchestrated and preserved by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. God delights in relationship with His people.

1. In your own words, describe what you read about God’s covenant with Abraham.

Prayer: God, thank you for the covenant of the New Testament that offers salvation to all who believe and trust in you.