Today's Reading: Genesis 22
Today's verse is part of the story in which God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith. Abraham obediently sets out to do so, but at the last moment, an angel of the Lord intervenes and provides a ram to sacrifice in Isaac's place. After the event, God speaks to Abraham and says these words, "And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."
This verse is significant because it is the first time in the Bible that the concept of the "offspring" of Abraham, or his descendants, is mentioned. The verse is also significant because it is the first time in the Bible that the concept of the blessing of all nations through the descendants of Abraham is mentioned. This verse is considered to be the first promise of the Messiah, who would come from the descendants of Abraham, and that he would be a blessing to all nations.
It is also considered as the first time that God revealed his plan of salvation through Abraham's descendants and it's the first instance of the promise that God made to Abraham to bless all nations through his offspring. This verse is considered as one of the foundations of the Jewish and Christian faith, as it lays the groundwork of the promise of the coming of the Savior and the blessings that would come through Him.
The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise made in Genesis 22:18, that the Messiah would come from the descendants of Abraham and be a blessing to all nations.