Names (part 2)

I am the God of Abraham, the God of Israel, and the God of Jacob.

Abraham is known as “the father of believing” because he believed what God told him. Abraham believed when God gave him the land, when God told him to go to a strange land, when God promised that he would be the father of nations. A great and seemingly impossible promise that God gave him was that Abraham and his wife Sarah, although both old and beyond the age to have children, would have a son.

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief;
but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.

Isaac was the son that was promised to Abraham.

In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

And Jacob (a twin) was a man who stole and deceived, but repented and turned back to God.

For [the children] being not yet born,
neither having done any good or evil,
that the purpose of God according to election might stand,
not of works, but of him that calleth.

Take these names together, and see the true meaning for the Christian, of the God who is “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”. To the Christian, the promises of God are given to those who believe, like Abraham. Just as Isaac was Abraham’s promised son, so was Christ God’s promised son. Both fathers were willing to sacrifice their sons, knowing that resurrection was available. Our promised salvation is given only through Christ. And the promises of God are given, not by works but by grace, as the promises that were given to Jacob.

God is faithful to His promises, and they are available to those who believe on His son and are given by grace and not by works. “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” looks back to the faithful men who believed God, and it confirms to us today that Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises.