Man’s real meaning for existence was to have a relationship with God and to live his standard of perfect living. Unfortunately that is not what happens. The fall of man occurs due to his disobedience to God. Three major events in Genesis that demonstrate man’s failure and sinful nature are: the fall, the flood, and the tower of Babel.

The original couple, progenitors of the ​whole human race, failed the test of obedience that God had designed for them. ​Because they yielded to the temptation of the tempter in Eden, a curse fell not ​only Adam and Eve, but also on the ground, its products, the created order, and all ​humanity. (Walt Kaiser, Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations, 16)

So man sins and there is curse brought upon humanity and creation. The story does not end there. God would bring an anecdote to the curse. We get a first look at the “gospel” the good news in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Here’s a guarantee that this coming Man of promise, from the male descendants of Eve, would bring the remedy to save humanity from its bondage to the curse brought by sin.

The next step in the redemptive process God would choose a man named Abraham from a city called Ur in Babylon. The missionary plan is once again displayed when God made a covenant with Abraham.

God promises to Abraham three things: land, descendants, and blessings. God said to Abraham:

Go from your country and your kindred and your ​​father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great ​​​nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a ​​​blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will ​​​curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3)

God calls Abraham to leave everything he has and follow God by faith alone. This is the beginning of the most important mission of God to bless the nations. God promises redemption to mankind.

The Old Testament is centered on this promise and is it fulfilled in the New Testament coming of the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the one who brings the remedy to the curse brought by man’s sin. Thus he delivers humanity from sin’s bondage and starts a new creation.

What God started in Abraham, he finished in Christ by bringing salvation to the world—ultimately blessing all the families of the earth.

Reflection
Abraham was a man of faith. He trusted God his life, his material belongings, and his future. Ultimately, God used Abraham in a great way.

Put your faith and trust in God today and be part of his mission—to bless all the families of the earth by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ!