Paul sees something in the Genesis story that many overlook. He saw that when God was speaking to Abraham and promising him the land he was offering the land not to Abrahams children but to the future King, Jesus. All too often we would read and take it as written, but the word used means seed and the seed that brings life is Jesus.
God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ.
Galatians 3:16
I am getting better, but I had a hard time actually studying the bible. I grew up hearing the old song ‘read your bible and pray every day and you will grow grow grow.’ But it was missing something. Reading the Bible is vitally important but just reading it without investigating how to apply it to your life is like buying IKEA furniture, reading the instructions, throwing them aside and then building it on your own. If we want to do things right, we need to apply the instructions to our lives. Reading the Bible is important but how will it impact you?
Paul before he met Jesus knew the scriptures, it said he was a devout scholar. He would have known the original verse here and more than likely he would have interpreted it to the descendants of Abraham. Here though we see that now that he knew and understood the truth about Christ he was able to understand what the scriptures and the promise of God were truly all about. God reveals things to us when we read and study his word. He has left us messages of love, life and purpose in these pages. Does it matter which version you look to, I don’t really think so, for if you truly start to study the word of God, you will not stick to one version but see how it is interpreted by others. The subtle differences can open the truths and reveal God’s love in many ways. However you study the word combine it with a conversation with God allowing Him to speak through his text.
Father, help us to not just read your word, but study it and soak in the truth. Show us how we can apply these truths into our lives and impact our world with the light of Jesus. Do not let us waste our time with idle things but bringing glory to your name. Push us to love others how you love them, see them as you see them. Use us. Amen
50 Days of Pray 