These blessings, known as the "Promises to Abraham" were passed down from Abraham to his son Isaac and then onto Isaac's son Jacob (who was also named Israel).

The promises commence in Genesis 12, and then continue in chapters 13, 15, 17 & 22, and are promises for God's people, the Jews. They involved a promise of eventual land possession from the Brook of Egypt to the River Euphrates, and a people that are so numerous that God says, Abraham's descendants will be "as the dust of the earth; so if you can count the dust of the earth, your descendants also can be counted."

An interesting fact is that in Gen 13 we see that the land was to be given to Abraham's descendants 'forever' and in Gen 17 we see that the covenant was an everlasting one, and the land was to be an everlasting possession. Of course, Abraham's descendants include both Jew and Arab, but when passed from Abraham to Isaac and particularly to Jacob we see the promises become focused on the Jewish people.

This is exciting for all mankind as through Jesus all the world can become recipients of the promises. It is in Galatians 3:16 that we have confirmed that Old Testament promises include you, for Paul writes "the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say :And to his offspring's," referring to many; but, referring to one, And to your offspring," which is Christ." Through baptism we qualify for life eternal as we are Christ's, then by promise we are Abraham's offspring, and heirs according to the promise." The promise = ETERNAL LIFE

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David, Jesus Christ & then YOU (?)