We are continuing the study of the Seven Dispensations of Man. As a reminder, dispensations are time periods that show the evolution of God’s relationship with man from creation to the end of this world. The fourth dispensation, the Dispensation of Promise also referred to as the Patriarchal Dispensation is the focus in this writing. Common to each dispensation is a focus on a particular people, a falling away from God, a judgment, and a promise.

Dispensation of Promise

Time Period:

From the call of Abraham through the Egyptian Bondage (early 2^nd millennium -1491 BC).

Bible Books Covered:

Genesis 12-40 through Exodus 1-12

People Focus:

Abraham and the Hebrew Nation

God-Man Relationship:

Hebrew nation is in a covenant relationship with God.

Highlighted Events:

• Call of Abraham Genesis 12:1-4

Abraham was native to Ur in Mesopotamia, a coastal city near the mouth of the Euphrates on the Persian Gulf, modern-day Basra, Iraq. He migrated to Haran another major trade center in Mesopotamia with his father and nephew. Haran is the modern-day village of Sanliurfa, Turkey. It was from here he was called.

• Abrahamic Covenant

Abraham was 99 years old when God made a covenant with him concerning land, his seed and blessings (Genesis 17:4-8).

This is an unconditional, everlasting covenant. Circumcision was established as a sign of this covenant (Genesis 17:9-11).

Elements of the Abrahamic Covenant

• Abraham, father of many nations
• Increased in numbers and prosperous
• Abraham’s seed a chosen nation
• Kings will come from you
• Canaan given as a possession
• The God of Abraham will be the God of the Hebrews

Have all the elements of this covenant been fulfilled?

All the elements of the covenant have been fulfilled except for the last two.

Does Israel possess Canaan?

Israel does not possess Canaan. Israel lives in the land but they do not possess it in peace. The Palestinians, descendants of the Canaanites, claim and live on the Gaza Strip and West Bank regions of Canaan. The Dome of the Rock, the Islamic mosque sits on the Temple Mount the exact location of the second Jewish Temple built by Herod the Great. He built the temple to replace the one Solomon built which was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Is God the God of Abraham’s descendants?

The Messiah, that is Jesus Christ, is not wholistically the God of the Hebrews. The God of the Old Testament is the God that orthodox Hebrews acknowledge. They do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as God. In fact, they condemned him and willingly took the blame for his death (Matthew 27:24-25).

Only a Remnant Saved

For the most part, only a small portion of Jews will confess Jesus as Savior and Messiah.

Romans 9:27 NIV

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

A Great Multitude Saved

The Scriptures speaks of a great number of people saved, these are from the Gentile nations.

Revelation 7:9 NIV

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands

Israel is God’s chosen people. The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional and although they had a hand in crucifying their Savior, the covenant remains place.

The Patriarchs Continued

• Ishmael -> Arabian nations
• Isaac
  • Esau –> Edomites (12 princes)
  • Jacob – Israel (12 tribes)
• Jacob
  • Destined to rule (Genesis 25:22-23)
• Joseph
  • Became Israel’s salvation (Genesis chapters 37-50)

Israel in Bondage

God tells Abraham his descendants will be in bondage in Egypt (Genesis 15:12-16).

Why did God allow Israel to be enslaved?

Israel was not sent to Egypt to be slaves; they went to be sheltered from the famine in Canaan. Additionally, Israel could not possess Canaan yet because the sin of the Amorites had not reached the point of no return.                        

Israel was small in number so God set them up to flourish in Goshen, one of the richest agricultural regions in Egypt. They had prospered in Egypt for hundreds of years, however, God’s plan was for them to return to Canaan. After three hundred years they were comfortable, a little too comfortable. They were not inclined to return to Canaan to fight for land when they already lived well.

So, God had to turn the tables on Israel. Rameses II came to power as pharaoh. He saw these foreigners living and prospering on the best land in Egypt. He had two concerns, 1) why should they have the best Egyptian land and 2) what if they turned on Egypt and joined Egypt’s enemy? The solution? Make them slaves. He decided to use the Hebrews to build his cities (Exodus 1:8-11). But the more they afflicted them, the more they grew (Exodus 1:12). This continued for 130 years.

Leaving Egypt

After 430 years and 3 million Hebrews later, Moses comes on the scene. Ultimately, God kept his promise by vanquishing Egypt. He destroyed her with plagues, took her silver, gold and livestock. He destroyed her army in the Red Sea.

God displayed his sovereignty both to Egypt and Israel. Enslavement ends and a time of testing begins for Israel.

The Relationship Spoiler:

Israel did not believe they could conquer the inhabitants of Canaan. They wanted to return to Egypt. There was no trust in God even after the miracles of Egypt (Numbers chapters 13-14).

Judgement:

Israel was to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the unbelieving generation died out (Numbers 32:7-13).

Promise:

Israel would become a great people and possess the Promised Land (Canaan).

Summary

The Dispensation of Promise gives hope of reconciliation to God through the seed of Abraham.  Although chosen there were dark times ahead for Israel but God never left them hopeless in spite of their faithlessness. 

You can look at our own lives and realize many of the good things in it you had to work for. There were times you may have gotten comfortable or lazy but something came along that blew your peace apart. It may have been disruptive and discomforting but it got you on the go again., moving toward the goal that when achieved will make life so much better than your current existence. So all things bad aren’t…they may be treasures hidden in that darkness!

Next Dispensation:

The Dispensation of Law

References

What Are The Covenants In the Bible? (7 Covenants Of God) (biblereasons.com)      Retrieved 6/3/23

Israelites Enslaved in Egypt (5 reasons why) – Christiansearcher.com  Retrieved 6/27/23

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