The Abrahamic Covenant: Religion’s Role in Dividing the Descendants of Abraham

The Abrahamic covenant, as articulated in the Torah, represents a foundational promise that was intended to unite the descendants of Abraham under a shared blessing. Yet, as history unfolded, divisions arose, leading to conflicts that have plagued humanity for centuries. In this article, I argue that the original covenant, as established by Yahweh, did not create divisions among Abraham's descendants. Instead, it is the interpretations and religious constructs of man—especially those rooted in rabbinic edicts and human traditions—that have fostered these divisions. These religious interpretations, rather than the divine will, are responsible for the strife between Jews, Christians, and Muslims, all of whom are children of Abraham.

The Covenant: A Divine Promise to Unite, Not Divide

The Abrahamic covenant, as first recorded in Genesis 12:1-3 and further elaborated in Genesis 17, was a divine promise that included all of Abraham’s descendants, both through Isaac and Ishmael. God’s words to Abraham make it clear that the covenant was inclusive and universal:

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:2-3, NIV)

The covenant did not differentiate between Abraham’s sons, as evidenced in Genesis 17:20, where God blesses Ishmael alongside Isaac:

"And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation." (Genesis 17:20, NIV)

God’s intention was clearly to bless all of Abraham’s descendants, without creating divisions. This inclusivity is central to the covenant, which was designed to bring prosperity and unity, not separation and conflict.

The Role of Religion in Creating Division

Despite the inclusive nature of the original covenant, divisions began to emerge—divisions that were not the work of Yahweh, but rather the product of human interpretation and religious doctrine. It is critical to understand that these divisions were not a result of the covenant itself, but rather of how religious leaders interpreted and applied the covenant over time.

Rabbinic interpretations and edicts, particularly those that emerged after the destruction of the Second Temple, played a significant role in fostering a sense of exclusivity among the descendants of Isaac. These interpretations often emphasized a distinction between Isaac's and Ishmael's lineages, suggesting that the covenant's blessings were reserved for Isaac's descendants alone. This interpretation, however, is a departure from the original, universal promise made by God.

The establishment of religious laws and traditions, while valuable in many ways, also contributed to a sense of separation between the different branches of Abraham's family. For example, the development of Halakha (Jewish religious law) and Sharia (Islamic law) created distinct religious identities that further entrenched the divisions between Jews and Muslims. Similarly, the emergence of Christian doctrines that positioned the Church as the true inheritor of God's promises added another layer of division, distancing Christians from their Jewish and Muslim counterparts.

These divisions were not ordained by Yahweh; they were the result of human interpretation and the natural evolution of religious traditions. The religion of man, not the divine will, is responsible for the conflicts that have arisen among the descendants of Abraham.

Historical Consequences of Religious Division

The consequences of these religious divisions have been devastating. From the Crusades to the Inquisition, from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the sectarian violence in Iraq and Syria, the history of Abraham's descendants is marked by conflict and bloodshed. Each of these tragedies can be traced back, in part, to the divisions fostered by religious interpretations that strayed from the inclusive nature of the original covenant.

One of the most poignant examples of this is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The land that was promised to the descendants of Abraham has become a battleground where Jews, Christians, and Muslims have fought for control, often in the name of their respective religions. This violence is not the fulfillment of the covenant, but a perversion of it, brought about by human attempts to monopolize God’s blessings.

The Holocaust, in which six million Jews were exterminated, is another tragic example of how religious and racial hatred, fueled by misguided interpretations of divine will, can lead to unimaginable suffering. The Nazi regime, though not overtly religious, was influenced by centuries of Christian anti-Semitism, which had its roots in the belief that the Jewish people were no longer God's chosen people.

Returning to the Original Covenant: A Call for Unity

To overcome the divisions that have been created by religious interpretations, it is essential to return to the original intent of the Abrahamic covenant. Yahweh’s promise to Abraham was one of unity and inclusivity, a promise that was meant to bring blessings to all of Abraham’s descendants, not just a select few. The divisions that exist today are not the result of divine will, but of human actions and interpretations.

In recognizing that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all descendants of Abraham, we must also recognize that any attack on one group is an attack on all. As the covenant states, God will curse those who curse the descendants of Abraham. By perpetuating conflict among ourselves, we are, in effect, cursing ourselves and violating the divine promise.

The teachings of Yeshua, particularly the Golden Rule—"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12, NIV)—reinforce the idea that mutual respect and kindness are central to the fulfillment of God's will. The path to peace and prosperity lies in embracing the unity that was intended by the covenant, not in perpetuating the divisions that have been created by the religion of man.

Conclusion

The Abrahamic covenant was never intended to create divisions among the descendants of Abraham. Yahweh’s promise was one of unity and inclusivity, meant to bring blessings to all of Abraham’s progeny. The divisions that have arisen are the product of human interpretation and religious constructs, not divine will. To honor the covenant and bring about a world of peace, Jews, Christians, and Muslims must recognize their shared heritage and work towards unity. By doing so, they can fulfill the original promise of the covenant and create a great nation where all of Abraham’s descendants can prosper together.

References

• The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.
• Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 17:7, 17:20; Genesis 21:10
• Armstrong, Karen. The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism. Ballantine Books, 2001.
• Lewis, Bernard. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror. Random House, 2003.
• Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Pantheon Books, 1978.
• Wistrich, Robert S. A Lethal Obsession: Anti-Semitism from Antiquity to the Global Jihad. Random House, 2010.