“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.””
Romans 4:1-3

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In the middle of this discussion of Jew and Gentile having equal footing under Jesus, Paul uses Abraham as an example. After all, he’s the big hero of the faith, the forefather. It was with Abraham that God first made the covenant.

But was he technically part of the Children of Israel? Of course not! Israel was Abraham’s grandson; Jacob was not born at the time. The law would not be given until Moses, generations later. Abraham did not join the covenant family because of his Jewish identity or faithfulness to the law. In fact, it was the other way around.

We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! (Romans 3:9b-10)

In other words, how could Gentiles who have faith in God be excluded from God’s covenant when Abraham, the man with whom God established the covenant in the first place, was brought into the family not because of his ethnic or religious adherence but because of his faith in God?

So, what kind of family is this, and how might one be included? In Abraham’s story we find that first God offered a promise, then Abraham believed, and then they entered into an eternal covenant. Only then was circumcision (and the rest of the law) established.

This is, and has always been, a family initiated by God’s love and mercy, offered in promise and sealed in covenant—first for those who were given the law but now also for anyone who responds to the promise: first the Jew and then the Gentile.

This is the great mystery Paul is always so excited about, kept hidden for so many generations but now revealed in Christ: this family is for all of us.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • In what ways was Abraham the forefather of the Jewish believers?
  • In what ways is he your forefather in the faith?
  • How would you describe this family God has invites us to join?
  • What does it mean to join by faith? Are there people or groups you’re hoping to exclude?

Church Reading Plan: Job 35; 2 Corinthians 5