God’s blessing to Abraham is a blessing to us today, as we look to His example of unswerving faith.
These verses, Genesis 12:1-4, give us the headline to the foundational Abrahamic Covenant, which is re-affirmed in greater detail in chapter 17, and is renewed with Isaac, and then Jacob.
It is the basis of our faith relationship and our new covenant, through Jesus, with God today.
It has four elements:
- seed, or offspring, which particularly points forward to Jesus, 17:2-7,
- a nation, v.2 and 17:4,
- divine blessing, and
- protection.
The immediate fulfilment – Abraham being a father (of many nations) is conditional, 17:4, but the promise is unconditional in promising God’s kingdom rule and salvation for Israel – hence extending to all those who turn to God by receiving Christ.
Stephen quoted v.1 at his execution; Paul explained at length its importance to all believers in Galatians 3-4.
For further study, here are links to Genesis 17:1-22, 26:2-5, 28:10-17, Acts 7:3; Galatians 3-4.