Who are the Biblical Patriarchs?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the biblical patriarchs God used to establish the nation of Israel and to fulfill His promises of restoration and blessing to the whole world. Abraham was called to leave his homeland, and through his trust in God, a great nation, Israel, was established. Isaac, born in old age to Abraham and Sarah, was the chosen son of promise. Jacob, renamed Israel after wrestling with God, fathered the twelve tribes of Israel. Through the lineage of the biblical patriarchs came Jesus, who fulfilled God’s promises to bless the nations. Jesus brought salvation not just to Jews but to all nations. Anyone who believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins is regarded as heirs of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God established the nation of Israel through the biblical patriarchs: Abraham (Genesis 11—25), Isaac (Genesis 21—35), and Jacob (Genesis 25—50).
• God revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and reminded the people of the covenant He had made with these biblical patriarchs (Exodus 2:24; 3:6, 15; 4:5; 6:3; 33:1; Leviticus 26:42; Deuteronomy 1:8; 34:4).
• Abraham (then Abram) was called by God: "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And 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. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:1–3). Because Abraham trusted God and obeyed, God fulfilled His promise and established the "great nation" of Israel from Abraham's descendants and blessed "all the families of the earth" through Jesus, who was born into his family lineage.
• Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in old age. Although Abraham and Sarah had tried to fulfill God’s plan by having Abraham and Hagar produce Ishmael (Genesis 16), God revealed Isaac, not Ishmael, was the son through whom God's promise would continue (Genesis 17). Isaac had great faith, trusting his father when it looked as if Abraham would sacrifice him (Genesis 22).
• Jacob was born to Isaac and Rebekah. His twin brother Esau was born first. However, just as God's promise was not meant for Ishmael, so God’s promise was not fulfilled through Esau. Instead, God chose Jacob as the man to continue establishing "a great nation" and blessing "all the families of the earth." Jacob wrestled God one night (Genesis 32). After that, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, meaning "he who strives with God." Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons and at least one daughter (Genesis 29—30). Each son eventually became the father of one of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad, Asher, Dan, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin. Joseph's sons made the half tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The covenant and promise God made to the biblical patriarchs was fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
• In the New Testament, Jesus refers to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 22:32).
• Galatians 3 confirms God’s plan to bless all the nations through the biblical patriarchs. Salvation is not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles, and this was made possible through Abraham’s lineage by bringing the Messiah, Jesus. Galatians 3:7, 26–29 states, "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. ... for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not only the patriarchs of the Jews but are also the patriarchs of Christian faith who reveal God and His faithfulness to all who trust in Him.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The biblical patriarchs are a reminder to us that God has good plans and purposes for humanity and specifically for those who trust in and follow Him. Just as God called Abraham to leave his homeland, believers today are called to step out in faith, trusting in God's promises for their lives. Seeing that Isaac was born in fulfillment of God's promise, we are reminded that God's timing is perfect and that His plans will prevail despite our attempts to rush or manipulate them. God’s plans are best and they are accomplished in His way and timing. Jacob reminds us that God often works through struggle and surrender, molding us into vessels for His purposes. Despite the patriarchs’ failures and difficulties, they responded to God in faith and followed Him where He led. The patriarchs revealed God’s faithfulness to bless all nations through Israel, His chosen people. Believers, too, reveal God’s faithfulness and goodness to the world around us as we live for Him (Matthew 5:14–16).

UNDERSTAND

• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the biblical patriarchs.
• God used the biblical patriarchs to fulfill His promises of establishing the nation of Israel and blessing all the nations through Israel.
• Anyone who believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins receives the blessings promised to the biblical patriarchs.

REFLECT

• What do we learn about God in the way He used the biblical patriarchs to fulfill His promises?
• What encourages you or challenges you about the patriarchs’ faith and actions?
• How is God calling you to participate in blessing the world by making Him known and living for Him?

ENGAGE

• The biblical patriarchs are important figures for multiple religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. How are they different for Christians?
• The biblical patriarchs are a reminder that God chooses certain people for His specific purposes. Ishmael was not the son of promise; Esau was not the chosen one to bring blessing. God still cared, blessed, and offered salvation to these people.
• God’s plans and purposes will prevail despite our failures and shortcomings. God uses our failures and shortcomings to refine us, to grow our faith, and to accomplish His ultimate purposes.