The Son of Promise

 

“But it is not that the word of Elohim has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.  For this is the word of promise: ‘At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son’” (Romans 9:6-9 emphases added).

As we continue to follow the line of the firstborn and the transition from an individual to a nation, it is paramount that we not confuse YHVH’s plan for the salvation of mankind with the establishment of His kingdom order, although the two are intricately connected.  Thus, the “son of promise” is not to be confused with Yeshua, as is often the case.  Paul is very clear, “…and Sarah shall have a son.”

When YHVH, in the form of a man, visited Abraham, accompanied by two other persons, He reiterated the promise of the son.  YHVH's humility in appearing to him must have strengthened and built up Abraham’s faith.  But as if that were not enough, the Creator also specified a date and pointed out that the conception of the son was tantamount to His very presence.  Here is what He said to Abraham:  “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” (Genesis 18:10 emphasis added).  Indeed, this was a miracle in the making!  YHVH was going to intervene in a dead womb and bring forth life.  Although both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the prospect, Isaac's conception depended entirely on the Spirit of the Creator and Sustainer of Life, and on His response to the faith of one man, our father Abraham.  Paul refers in his writings to this mystery child who was born according to the Spirit:  “But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the freewoman through promise…But, as he [Ishmael] who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him [Isaac] who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now” (Galatians 4:23, 29). Obviously, the flesh and spirit are still in conflict today, but so are Ishmael and Isaac. 

YHVH told Abraham that in one year’s time Sarah would have the child of promise.  And what a year it was!  It began with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  At the time, Abraham lived so close to the fire and sulfur-filled air that he was forced to move to Gerar in the Negev (between Kadesh and Shur).  There is no indication that Abraham (the family redeemer) knew the eventual fate of his nephew Lot and family, although his plea-bargaining with YHVH may have assured him that Elohim would spare his brother’s son (ref. Genesis 18:23-32), which He did.  That deliverance led to the birth of two other firstborns in Terah's family: Moab and Ammon (Genesis 19:31-38).  Later, after becoming nations, these two would join other firstborns (according to the flesh) and try to destroy Israel, YHVH’s firstborn nation (ref. Psalm 83).

While in Gerar, the father of the faith again handed his wife over to another man, the local ruler Abimelech.  He did so for no reason other than the one that had compelled him to hand her over to Pharaoh: to protect his own life.  At the same time, YHVH was about to teach yet another king the lesson which He had taught the Egyptian monarch.  YHVH came to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that his death was imminent along with that of his entire household, should he not give back Abraham’s wife.  YHVH also told Abimelech that Abraham was one of His prophets (ref. Genesis 20:7). The affair ended with Abimelech blessing Abraham materially, just as Pharaoh had done.

The stage was now set for the “son of the promise” to come on the scene.  His father was the recipient of great wealth and of a covenant of peace with the local ruler.  At last, the family could settle down and await the birth of the miracle child whose progeny was destined to influence humanity in multiple ways.

At a later point in the history of the seed, the apostle Paul makes the following observation:  “As it is written, ‘I have made you [Abraham] a father of many nations’ in the presence of Him whom he believed -- Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did [Isaac]; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he [Abraham] became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your SEED be’” (Romans 4:17-18).  This statement highlights the covenant of multiplicity that YHVH was already in the process of bringing into being from the dead and barren womb of Sarah, truly calling those things that do not exist as though they did.