The Anchor Gospel Ministry

Introduction

The Bible presents history as unfolding through different dispensations, distinct periods in which God deals with humanity in specific ways, according to His divine plan. Among these is the Dispensation of Promise, a period that began with God’s covenant with Abraham and lasted until the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This dispensation, recorded primarily in Genesis 12 through Exodus 19, reveals God’s faithfulness in making and keeping promises, and humanity’s responsibility to trust and obey Him.

The Call of Abraham

The Dispensation of Promise begins with the call of Abram (later renamed Abraham). God sovereignly chose Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees to be the father of a great nation through which He would bring blessing to the entire world.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:1–3 (KJV)

Here, God gave Abraham a sevenfold promise: land, a great nation, personal blessing, a great name, being a blessing to others, protection from enemies, and a universal blessing through his seed. This marked a new dispensation, as God began dealing with humanity through His promises to one man and his descendants.

The Abrahamic Covenant

The covenant God made with Abraham is central to understanding this dispensation. It is reiterated and expanded several times in Genesis.

1. Promise of Land

“For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” Genesis 13:15 (KJV)

2. Promise of Descendants

“And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.” Genesis 13:16 (KJV)

3. Promise of Blessing through His Seed

“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:18 (KJV)

The covenant was unconditional in its ultimate fulfillment, resting on God’s faithfulness rather than man’s ability. Yet, within the dispensation itself, individuals were called to respond in faith and obedience.

Abraham’s Faith and Responsibility

The hallmark of this dispensation was faith in God’s promises. Abraham is celebrated as the father of faith because he believed God even when fulfillment seemed impossible.

“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 (KJV)

This faith was not without testing. Abraham was called to trust God for a son despite Sarah’s barrenness, to leave his homeland without knowing the destination, and even to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Each test demonstrated that the proper response in this dispensation was faith expressed in obedience.

Failures in the Dispensation of Promise

Despite the clear promises of God, Abraham’s descendants often faltered in faith:

• Impatience for the Promise: Abraham and Sarah sought to fulfill God’s promise of a son through Hagar, producing Ishmael (Genesis 16). This act revealed a lack of trust in God’s timing.
• Jacob’s Deception: Jacob schemed to obtain the birthright and blessing, though God had already chosen him.
• The Sojourn in Egypt: Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, demonstrating strife and lack of faith.

By the time the descendants of Abraham found themselves in Egypt, they had multiplied greatly, yet they had also fallen into bondage. Instead of dwelling freely in the Promised Land, they lived under oppression, awaiting deliverance.

Transition to the Law

The Dispensation of Promise lasted until Israel’s exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Paul clarifies the timeline in his letter to the Galatians:

“And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” Galatians 3:17–18 (KJV)

Thus, the dispensation of Promise ended when Israel received the Law, yet the promises given to Abraham remained in effect, awaiting ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

Theological Significance

The Dispensation of Promise teaches several vital lessons:

1. God is faithful to His Word. The covenant promises made to Abraham were not annulled by human failure.
2. Faith is the means of righteousness. Abraham was justified by faith, not works, setting a pattern that Paul later uses to explain justification by faith in Christ (Romans 4:3).
3. God’s plan is progressive. Each dispensation builds upon the last, preparing for the full revelation of Christ. The promises to Abraham find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the true Seed (Galatians 3:16).

Conclusion

The Dispensation of Promise was a pivotal stage in God’s redemptive plan. Beginning with God’s call to Abraham, it spanned centuries of patriarchal history, highlighting both human frailty and divine faithfulness. Although the dispensation formally ended with the giving of the Law, its promises remain foundational to God’s dealings with Israel and the Church.

The words of Paul summarize the heart of this dispensation:

“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13 (KJV)

Through Abraham, God showed that His purposes are rooted not in human merit but in divine grace and faithfulness. The Dispensation of Promise reminds us that God’s word is sure, His covenant unbreakable, and His blessings ultimately fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord.