The promise to Abram

grows out of · the promise re-sworn

It is on Moriah that God swears by himself to bless all nations through Abraham's offspring — the promise of Genesis 12 confirmed by oath.

grows out of · promise widens

God's first named covenant is with all flesh; the next narrows to one family precisely so that all the families of the earth may be blessed.

points forward to · sealed in blood

Genesis 15 turns the promise into a formal covenant, and in a startling move God alone walks the path between the pieces.

points forward to · the sign

Every covenant gets a sign; this one is cut into the body of the family that carries the promise.

points forward to · the promise given form

The people God rescues at Sinai are the offspring promised to Abraham; the law is given to a family that already belongs, not to earn belonging.

grows out of · the line narrows

The promised offspring of Eve becomes the promised offspring of Abraham; Paul reads that singular 'offspring' as pointing to Christ.

grows out of · all the families of the earth

The promise to Abraham was always aimed outward. 'Make disciples of all nations' is that clause finally being carried out.