Israel / The Seed is Christ

When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him and called My son out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1

And he was there until the death of Herod; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the LORD through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called My Son."Matt 2:15

The verse in Hosea that refers to Israel, is obviously attributed to Christ in the New Testament. Therefore, we know that Israel of the Old Testament was a type of Christ.

And to Abraham and to his Seed the promises were spoken. It does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, "And to your Seed," which is Christ. And I say this, A covenant having been ratified to Christ by God in Christ, the Law (coming into being four hundred and thirty years after) does not annul the promise, so as to abolish it. For if the inheritance [is] of Law, [it is] no more of promise; but God gave [it] to Abraham by way of promise.Galatians 3:16-18

For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ. There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you [are] Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:27-29

For all the land which you see I will give to you, and to your seed forever. And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be counted.Rise up and walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth of it, for I will give it to you.Genesis 13:15-17 And I will give the land to you in which you are a stranger, and to your seed after you, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. And I will be their God.Genesis 17:8

God has made it clear in the above passages that the promises plural made to Abraham's seed were actually made to Christ and that as believers in Christ, we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Every usage of the word seed to Abraham in relation to a promise in the book of Genesis includes the land promise. The New Testament expands Israel to now include all believers in Christ.

Another expansion of the promises to Abraham occurs in Romans 4:13. For the promise that he should be the heir of the world [was] not to Abraham or to his seed through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they of the Law [are] heirs, faith is made void and the promise is made of no effect; because the Law works out wrath, for where no law is, [there is] no transgression. Therefore [it is] of faith so that [it might be] according to grace; for the promise to be made sure to all the seed, not only to that which is of the Law, but to that also which is of [the] faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. Romans 4:13-18. Notice that the land promise is not limited to Canaan as it was in the Old Testament. God says we are heirs of the world. Notice also that the passage says that the heirs are not they of the law only, but those of faith. Today, the church is analogous to Israel under Joshua when they conquered the promised land. The difference is today our weapons are not physical, the sword of the spirit which is the word of God(2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:11-17) and our task is to conquer the whole world (Romans 4:13)

And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.John 10:16 Again, Jesus says we have been made one people.

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