Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Genesis 26:3-5

When the Lord God pronounced His blessing on Isaac, He stated that he was blessing him “because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” What should we make of this?

First, we know that salvation is not conferred through genetic bloodlines. (John 1:12-13) Therefore, Isaac was not promised salvation because of Abraham’s obedience.

Second, not only was Isaac not saved because of his father’s obedience, Abraham was not saved because of obedience either. Salvation is of the Lord, by His grace through faith, not of works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So then, what should we make of this?

First, it is not about salvation, it is about God’s blessing. Obedience brings blessing.

Second, besides gaining God’s blessing for themselves, the obedient faithful life of parents nets blessing (not salvation) for their children as well.

What do we want for our children and grandchildren? The very best, of course. Though we cannot guarantee it we can make it more likely as we obey God’s voice, keep His charge, His commandments, statutes and laws. Our children will be blessed because we do.