Notes
Study Questions 1. By in large, Old Testament promises were given by God to the people of Israel. If we apply those promises to ourselves, are we stealing? Why or why not? We are able to apply the OT promises to Israel to ourselves We are not stealing, or doing some strange leap of logic. The reason is there is a sound argument how these promises belong to us. This is answered in the next question. 2. Read Galatians 3 (especially verses 7–9, 16, 29) and 2 Corinthians 1:20 . How does Paul, in these verses, answer whether the Old Testament promises are ours or not? Paul answers that OT promises are ours because: Paul defines descendants of Abraham as people of faith (Galatians 3:7), even Gentiles (Galatians 3:8) Descendants receive all the blessings promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, including the promises for OT Israel Paul overtly states the promises are for Abraham, and the offspring Christ (Galatians 3:16) Paul states that if we are in Christ, we are Abraham's offspring (singular emphasised, Galatians 3:29) Paul says that all the promises are ours in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20) 3. What are some Old Testament promises that you can trust today as your own? Psalm 15, 16 Isaiah 60:19-22 Joshua 1:6 Jeremiah 31:31-32:15 Malachi 3:1-7 Haggai 2:1-9 Takeaway I used to be puzzled as to how it is we could claim so many OT promises that did not seem directed to us. This LAB was really helpful for me to have greater confidence in standing upon the OT promises of God!
notes
Phrase
editing
OT
Genesis 12:1-3
esv
mine
Promises First Given to Abraham
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
phrasing
NT
Galatians 3:16
Christ the Seed of Abraham
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Galatians 3:7
Faith Unites Us to Christ
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:29
Union with Christ Makes Us with Him
Union with Christ Makes Us Seed with Him
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
2 Corinthians 1:20
In Christ, we Inherit all the Promises
In Christ We Inherit All the Promises
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.