New Scofield Reference Bible: C. I. Scofield D.D., Editor
Scofield Notes: p.19 "The Abrahamic Covenant"
Referenced to Genesis 12:1
<The Fourth Dispensation: Promise.> This dispensation extended from the call
of Abram to the giving of the law at Sinai (Exo 19:3ff.). Its stewardship was
based upon God's covenant with Abram, first cited here, Gen 12:1 - 3, and
confirmed and enlarged in Gen 13:14 - 17; 15:1 - 7; 17:1 - 8,15 - 19; 22:16 -
18; 26:2 - 5,24; 28:13 - 15; 31:13; 35:9 - 12.
Observe (1) the specific provisions affecting Abram himself (Gen 15:15) and his
son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 26:1 - 5; 28:10 - 16), under which
individual blessing depended upon individual obedience (Gen 12:1; cp. 22:18;
26:5).
(2) God made an unconditional promise of blessings through Abram's seed (a) to
the nation Israel to inherit a specific territory forever (Gen 12:2; 15:18 - 21;
17:7 - 8); (b) to the Church as in Christ (Gal 3:16,28 - 29); and (c) to the
Gentile nations (Gen 12:3).
(3) There was a promise of blessing upon those individuals and nations who bless
Abram's descendants, and a curse laid upon those who persecute the Jews (Gen
12:3; Mat 25:31 - 46). Consequently this dispensation had varied emphases. To
the Gentiles of that period, there was little direct application other than the
test implied by Gen 12:3 and illustrated by God's blessing or judgment upon
individuals (Pharaoh, Gen 12:17; Abimelech, Gen 20:3,17, etc.), or nations (e.g.
Egypt, Gen 47 - 50; Exo 1 - 15) who treated Abram or his descendants well or
ill.
In the continuance through the centuries of this stewardship of truth, believers
of the Church age are called upon to trust God as Abram did (Rom 4:11,16,23 -
25; Gal 3:6 - 9), and thus enter into the blessings of the covenant which
inaugurated the dispensation of Promise.
God's promises to Abram and his seed certainly did not terminate at Sinai with
the giving of the law (Gal 3:17). Both O.T. and N.T. are full of post-Sinaitic
promises concerning Israel and the land which is to be Israel's everlasting
possession (e.g. Exo 32:13; 33:1 - 3; Lev 23:10; 25:2; 26:6; Deu 6:1 - 23; 8:1 -
18; Josh 1:2,11; 24:13; Acts 7:17; Rom 9:4). But as a specific test of Israel's
stewardship of divine truth, the dispensation of Promise was superseded, though
not annulled, by the law that was given at Sinai (Exo 19:3ff.).
Other dispensational notes: Innocence (Gen 1:28); Conscience or Moral
Responsibility (Gen 3:7); Human Government (Gen 8:15); Law (Exo 19:1); Church
(Acts 2:1); Kingdom (Rev 20:4).
The events of this sentence are referred to in chapter 11:27 - 32.
<Separation:> vv. 1 - 5; Gen 13:9. (Gen 12:1; 2 Cor 6:17)
New Scofield Reference Bible: C. I. Scofield D.D., Editor
Scofield Notes: p.19 "The Abrahamic Covenant"
Referenced to Genesis 12:1
Used by permission