The covenant blessing of God does not spare God’s people the experience of battling enemy forces, but it does guarantee their ultimate victory. Added to this, in a remarkable event (the encounter with Melchizedek) God adds renewed blessing, while pointing forward to the One who will fulfil the covenant promises in a day to come.

As Abraham begins to enter into the blessings of God in terms of land and goods and people, we see a godly spirit of generosity come through (and perhaps we see the start of a contrast with Lot). The blessing of God is meant to make his people a blessing to others.

As Abraham begins to enter into the blessings of God in terms of land and goods and people, we see a godly spirit of generosity come through (and perhaps we see the start of a contrast with Lot). The blessing of God is meant to make his people a blessing to others.

Here is the foundational promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus and the gospel. It all comes from God and his initiative. Abraham is the recipient, as we are recipients in Christ. This blessing is meant to go to the world—and so our missionary mandate is found here. The folly of Abraham here reminds us that the blessing rests on grace and not merit.

Here is the foundational promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus and the gospel. It all comes from God and his initiative. Abraham is the recipient, as we are recipients in Christ. This blessing is meant to go to the world—and so our missionary mandate is found here. The folly of Abraham here reminds us that the blessing rests on grace and not merit.

The child of the manger has come to rule. To reckon with the message of Christmas, we must learn not only to trust in the Saviour who came, but to bow before the King who will one day return.

Sin has separated us from the God who made us. Rather than living in friendship with him, we are excluded from the blessings of his presence. But Jesus came to us as Emmanuel—God with us—that we might know God through faith in him, and so live with him forever.

Sin has separated us from the God who made us. Rather than living in friendship with him, we are excluded from the blessings of his presence. But Jesus came to us as Emmanuel—God with us—that we might know God through faith in him, and so live with him forever.

The child of the manger has come that he might save his people from their sins. That was God’s message and God’s design, right from the start.

Jesus came as the long-awaited Messiah—the promised King of Israel, who would bring to fulfilment the promises of God for a needy and oppressed people. And for all who will turn to him and trust in him, he is to us the Saviour-King.