God’s covenant with Abraham reveals both the mission and the future of God’s chosen nation, Israel. Understanding the covenant, we can understand biblical prophecy better and what is happening in the Middle East. This covenant was an unconditional covenant. God declared in emphatic terms what He would do for Abraham. There no provision for it to be revoked, and it was not subject to amendment or annulment. This covenant was forever. This was a personal covenant with Abraham. Part of the covenant was fulfilled in Abraham’s life time. His flocks and herds increased and he became a wealthy man. The land would be the eternal procession of his descendants, but it was also Abraham’s personal home throughout his life. Abraham was known through-out the land as a rich and powerful leader who was highly respected and feared.
This was also a national covenant with Israel. The ultimate greatness of the nation of Israel awaits the Millennium, but by all the common standards of evaluation, Israel is a great nation today. Professor Amnon Rubinstein gave us an impressive summary of Israel’s nation achievements: “Minute in size, not much bigger than a sliver of the Mediterranean coastline, it has withstood continuing Arab onslaughts, wars, boycotts and terrorism; it turned itself from a poor, rural country to an industrial and post-industrial powerhouse, it has reduced social, educational gaps and health gaps between Arab and Jews. Some of it achievements are unprecedented.” The events that have happened with Israel could only be related to Abraham’s covenant with God.