I Will Bless You

Scripture Reference: Genesis 12:1-3

God is sovereign—over all creation and in all ways, (see Isaiah 40:12-31). He is sovereign over time, events, nature, people and spirit beings, including Satan. He plans, purposes, programs and puts into effect. None can hasten, delay, change or stop His decisions.

He is sovereign in creating man, He is sovereign in commanding man, meting out punishment for sin, rewarding the obedient, dealing with mankind through different dispensations, making covenants and promising blessings to man.

He is sovereign in sending the deluge to destroy all flesh because of total corruption and violence, and in choosing Noah and his family to repopulate the earth.

He is sovereign in confounding the one common language of man into numerous tongues at Babel, and in dispersing the rebellious descendants of Noah worldwide.

And when the whole earth was totally engulfed in idolatry, God is sovereign in giving them up, (Roman 1:13-32), and sovereign in choosing and calling Abraham. He is sovereign in entrusting Abraham with the mission to produce the Messianic line and the “seed of the woman.”

So when God told Abraham “I will bless thee,” it was an exercise of His sovereignty. “You shall be a blessing” speaks of God’s goodness, grace and mercy towards Abraham.

God’s promise of blessing to Abraham was four-fold, (Genesis 12:2-3).

1. Personal—his name would be great
2. National—he would become a great nation
3. Universal—all families of the earth would be blessed, (or cursed if they cursed Abraham).
4. Spiritual, Messianic—in Abraham’s Special Seed, our Lord Jesus Christ, all peoples would be blessed—with salvation through redemption, God bestowing upon mankind His fullest blessing through Abraham.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Day by Day: Bible Promises
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.