Especially noteworthy Bible characters introduced after Noah are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These men are often known as the Patriarchs, the fathers of the Israelite people. Abraham in particular deserves special attention.
The Patriarchs are important because they are the ones who received the promises of inheriting the Promised Land, of numerous descendants and the ones through whom all nations of the world would be blessed. What is even more momentous about these men receiving these promises is when they received them. These covenants were made before the Law was given. The reason this is so significant is because it demonstrates what can and does happen apart from the law (Romans 4).
Of all the many things that could be discussed about the Patriarchs, there is one more thing I want to mention here. All three had multiple sons, but not every son received the same blessings. Abraham had Ishmael, Isaac and 6 more sons by Keturah, but only Isaac received the promises. Isaac had Esau and Jacob, but only Jacob received the promises. Bloodlines mattered for the purpose of bringing the Messiah into the world, but now that the Messiah has come, the only bloodline that matters is spiritual (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 9:6). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NKJV).
