In last week’s study, Abraham had passed the ultimate test – by willingly not withholding his son Issac from the Lord, he had demonstrated the greatest faith yet.  When Abraham gave his son to God – he gained back his son.  When we give ourselves and our possessions to God, we gain far more than we give – BUT – if we refuse to give ourselves and possessions to God – we will eventually lose everything.  And everything means EVERYTHING!

Abraham passed his greatest test of faith, and because of this – God repeated to him, the Covenant promised to him, and his seed. 

Genesis 22:15-19

¹⁵ And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

¹⁶ And said, 

By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

¹⁷ That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

¹⁸ And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.  

¹⁹ So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

The next verses, which cover the family tree of Abraham’s brother Nahor, are only significant, in the revealing of the source of Issac’s bride. 

Genesis 22:20-24

²⁰ And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;

²¹ Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, 

 [please note that these sons are the source of the tribes named in the Book of Job]

²² And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

²³ And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

²⁴ And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

Often believers will brush over passages like this in the Old Testament, thinking they are of less significance than the dramatic events of last week’s study.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In understanding the significance of God renewing the Covenant a second time – we see that He is not forgetful, and is the perfection of steadfastness, and the extreme importance of this Covenant which was sealed in blood.   By the recording of even Abram’s brother’s family tree, we have the situation laid out so simply, that even a child’s persistent “why” and “where” questions can be answered. 

Next week – the Gentile Bride is chosen!