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Concerning the Seed of Abraham Q&A
Q
Although it is true that Paul says that the seed of Abraham is Christ, that still does not mean that this is the only way we are to see the words, "seed of Abraham". The reference in Genesis was still aimed at Isaac, and his seed after him, and not just for Lord Jesus. The church was never promised any land, the seed of Abraham was. Surely you must agree?
A
In the context of the promises of God to the seed of Abraham, I believe Paul makes it crystal clear in Galatians 3 that those promises were to Christ and those who belong to Christ. Okay, you say that Genesis is aimed at Isaac and his seed after him. No problem. Paul's message is consistent throughout his writings. Let's look at Romans 9.
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Look at this closely. This passage differentiates between the natural seed of Abraham and the spiritual. It shows that the spiritual seed would come through Isaac. Regarding the seed of Isaac, Paul says that the children of the flesh (natural descendants) are not the children of God. Instead, the children of God (children of the promise) are counted for the seed of Isaac. What determine who are the children of God? Well, we need to go back to Galatians 3 again for the answer.
25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:25-26
So, if you properly understand what Paul is saying in Romans 9:6-8 and Galatians 3, then you should understand that Paul is saying that those who are of the seed of Isaac are the ones who receive the promise. And that is speaking of those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. One's race or nationality has nothing to do with it. So, if you're going to continue to insist that Abraham's seed (or Isaac's seed) will receive land in the future that God promised in Genesis, then you and I will be receiving that land along with the rest of Abraham and Isaac's seed.
Q
But to satisfy my curiosity about Paul's interpretation, and to expand upon his point even more, if Jesus is the seed of Abraham, and the seed of Abraham was promised the land of Caanan, then tell me, why didn't Lord Jesus claim it?
A
Because He understood what the prophecy was really all about just like Abraham did. It wasn't really about a literal piece of land, but about a heavenly city and a heavenly country. Read Hebrews 11:10-16 and see for yourself. Abraham realized that he was a stranger on this earth. He had no desire for earthly land. It was a heavenly city whose builder and maker is God that he was looking for (Heb 11:10). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob desired a better country, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16).
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