The story of the confirmation of the abrahamic covenant – अब्राहमिक वाचा की पुष्टि की कहानी

The affirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant is a pivotal moment in the sacred stories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all of which trace their origins back to the patriarch Abraham. The covenant between God and Abraham is a foundational narrative, marking the beginning of a special relationship between Abraham’s descendants and God.

Abraham, originally known as Abram, lived in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia. At this time, the world was filled with idol worship, but Abram stood out as someone who sought the true God. One day, God called Abram to leave his homeland and travel to a land that He would show him. This was the beginning of their relationship. God promised Abram.

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. (Genesis 12:2)

Abram, trusting God completely, set out on a journey with his wife Sarai (later Sarah), his nephew Lot, and their household, traveling to the land of Canaan. This act of faith showed Abram’s obedience to God’s call, even though he did not yet know where he was going.

When Abram reached Canaan, God appeared to him and made a monumental promise.

This was the first time God mentioned that Abram’s descendants would inherit the land of Canaan, a promise that would echo throughout history. But there was one problem: Abram and Sarai were elderly, and they had no children. Despite this, Abram believed God’s promise.

Years passed, and Abram still had no heir. He began to wonder how God’s promise could come true. In response, God affirmed His covenant with Abram in a dramatic and sacred way.

Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be.(Genesis 15:5)

Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. God then made a formal covenant with Abram. In ancient times, covenants were often sealed with a solemn ceremony, and in this case, God instructed Abram to prepare a series of animal sacrifices. Abram laid the animals in two rows, creating a path between them. At sunset, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and God appeared to him in a vision.

In this vision, God spoke to Abram about the future of his descendants, telling him that they would be strangers in a foreign land (a prophecy of the Israelites in Egypt), but that God would bring them out of slavery and give them the land of Canaan.

Then, in a powerful display of divine presence, a smoking firepot and a blazing torch—symbols of God—passed between the animal pieces. This was a sign that God was binding Himself to the covenant, promising to fulfill His word.

Later, God appeared to Abram again and reaffirmed His promise. This time, He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (meaning father of many nations) and Sarai’s name to Sarah (meaning princess). As a sign of the covenant, God instructed Abraham that every male among his people should be circumcised:

This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (Genesis 17:10)

Circumcision became an outward sign of the covenant, symbolizing the people’s unique relationship with God. It was a permanent reminder that Abraham’s descendants were chosen by God for a special purpose.

Despite their advanced age, God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. Though Sarah initially laughed at the idea due to her age, God assured them that this child would be the one through whom the covenant would continue. True to His word, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, whose name means laughter, reflecting both Sarah’s initial disbelief and the joy that followed.

Isaac’s birth was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. Isaac would become the father of Jacob, later named Israel, and thus the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. Through Isaac, God’s covenant with Abraham would pass down to future generations.

The covenant with Abraham marks the beginning of the Jewish people. They trace their lineage through Isaac and Jacob, and believe that the land of Israel is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants.

Christians see the covenant with Abraham as a precursor to the New Covenant brought through Jesus Christ. They believe that through Jesus, all nations—both Jews and Gentiles—are blessed, fulfilling God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would be a blessing to the entire world.

Muslims trace their heritage to Abraham through his son Ishmael, born to Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. They see Abraham (Ibrahim) as a prophet and the patriarch of the Arab people. The Kaaba in Mecca is believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael as a house of worship to the One God.

The story of the Abrahamic Covenant is one of faith, trust, and the unwavering promises of God. It marks the beginning of a special relationship between God and Abraham’s descendants and serves as a foundational narrative for the spiritual heritage of billions of people around the world today.

Through this covenant, Abraham became the father of many nations, and his legacy continues to shape the world’s religious landscape. The affirmation of this covenant, in all its stages, reflects the enduring nature of God’s promises and the deep faith of those who believe in His word.

 

The story of the confirmation of the abrahamic covenant – अब्राहमिक वाचा की पुष्टि की कहानी