There are many promises throughout the Bible. However, there is one promise that is more important than all the rest. Without it, every other promise would be meaningless and hold no power.
In Genesis 3:15 we see this proclamation declared, and then throughout the entirety of Scripture it is echoed again and again, each time with more clarity until we are provided the beautiful insight that Paul provides in Galatians:
"[2] Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3] Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [4] Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? [5] Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—[6] just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
[7] Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
[10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [11] Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—[14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
[15] To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. [16] Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. [17] This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. [18] For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
[19] Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. [20] Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
[21] Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. [22] But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
[23] Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. [24] So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. [25] But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] 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. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
[1] I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, [2] but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. [3] In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 3:2–4:7, ESV)"
Paul realizes that there are those who would distort the promises of God and wants to clarify a very important issue. He does this with masterful craftmanship in Galatians 3:16-18 "[16] Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. [17] This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. [18] For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.". This offspring is the same offspring declared in Genesis 3:15 to be coming to crush the head of the evil one. This promise was not made about Adam's physical children, it wasn't made about Abraham's physical children. Galatians is clear, this promise, the promise that all believers until Christ's coming looked for, is about one person only, namely Christ Jesus.
Just because there are promises laid throughout the Bible, we cannot take the primary promise and the references to it and turn them to mean something that they do not mean. We cannot twist Scripture to be man focus when Paul provides us the correct interpretation that centers everything on this promise and the faith that comes to those who understand and worship.
Every promise that follow that made in Genesis 3:15 must be looked at to see if it is a new temporary/conditional promise, or if it is about the promise of the coming offspring (singular). If the Bible isn't read in this manner, it will lead to elevating a people group so much higher than God ever elevated them. There are no stories, examples, laws, or instructions found within Scripture that have the primary protagonists as the nation of Israel. None. The primary character throughout the entire Scripture is Christ. Therefore everything must be read with Him as the Offspring, not a splintered nation that failed to obey even one of God's commands to them.
[39] You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. [41] I do not receive glory from people. [42] But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. [43] I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. [44] How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? [45] Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. [46] For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. [47] But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:39–47, ESV)
Did the nation of Israel receive many blessings because they were chosen to be used by God? Yes and amen. However, none of it was about them. This is why Paul states that even he was adopted as a son. Nothing was given to him because of his birth, rather he instead he states that there is no Jew or Greek. The distinction between nationalities is abolished because the only ones found in Christ, are those who are there by faith. No one is there because of their birth, the law, or any other reason. For it is by faith alone that we are saved, not by good works, lest anyone should boast.
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