The Kingdom of God: Abraham and the Torah

Promise of the Kingdom 

Genesis 12:1-3

God promises that Abram will become a great nation for the purpose of blessing all nations. 

• Being a part of God’s kingdom is about being a blessing to others. God is choosing to restore humanity to its true purposes by choosing a man who will become a nation to bless others. 
• Abraham “believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness”. This is the most important aspect of being a part of the kingdom of God, trusting in the King. 
• God’s kingdom was always meant to involve everyone, not just an exclusive group, which is why the blessings were for all people. 

Exodus 19:4-6

God redeemed Israel from a nation to become a nation. Specifically a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. 

• This means Israel’s role in the kingdom of God is to be a royal priestly mediator for all people. They were to be a nation chosen and set apart from other nations. The people in this nation were all to be priests, representing God to others.
  • Israel was to be a mini community that reflected the original human vocation to the world- to rule and subdue the earth with justice and God’s royal love. 
• This promise was contingent on covenant obedience. Israel had to obey the agreement and follow God’s commands to receive the covenant blessings and ultimately fulfill their role. 

Samuel and Kings 

The people demanded a king to represent them. This was a rebellion. Instead of all people representing God to the nations, they wanted only one person, a king to represent them. 

• This means Israel rejected their role as mediators but God worked with this rebellion graciously and chose a king to represent the people.  
• Saul was the first king and failed mightily to be a good representation of God to the world. 
• Davidic Covenant:
  • A covenant was made to David that he would always have a ruler sit on the throne and that the Anointed One (Messiah) would come from this line.
    • This Messiah would be the one to fully represent God and be the mediator Israel never could be. 
• Down the line of kings, each one becomes a failed representative ruler. The kingdom of God needs a true human who will represent God and rule justly, fulfilled only in Jesus.