FIRSTLY; they were to be as the dust of the earth, earthly, natural and innumerable. Who knows how many of the nations of the earth today carry a portion of the seed of Abraham and are his descendants. The ten lost tribes of Israel are his descendants, where ever they might be. The Arab nations are his descendants through Ishmael and Esau. The mingled seed of Abraham in the generations of time would mount up to a considerable number. For all this, all of mankind who have lived from Adam until now could hardly fulfill this promise. The dust, is a promise that pertains to the earth and is of the earth, earthy, or natural. Gen. 13:16 It is interesting to see that the same promise was passed on to David. Jer. 33:22
SECONDLY; the promise of his seed was to be as great as the sand on the sea shore. The sand, created by the constant movement of the sea, coming out of the sea and being deposited on the beach. Sand is of more use and value to man. Treasures are hidden in the sand. Deut. 33:19Sometimes it even contains gold. The sea, in the scriptures represents the masses of humanity. The sand, that which is of the sea yet is separated from it even as the church is in this world yet not of it. Paul writing to the Romans took a text from Isaiah and said that not all Israelites will be save. Rom. 9:27 Salvation is not of race, but rather of grace. Religion will not save, only a real born again experience with Christ will produce salvation.
THIRDLY, as numberless as the stars. Here we consider a symbol that which is heavenly. The righteous are they which shine as the stars of the sky. Dan. 12:3 In the resurrection the righteous will shine as the stars and will be as varied as the stars of the heavens. Paul said; for one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the righteous. 1 Cor. 15:41-42. Not all will receive the same rewards in heaven but all will be completely satisfied with their status
He shall prolong His days. Isa. 53:10 Though He was and is and ever will be God. He became a man that was subject to all that which is common to mankind. That also involved death. As a man he had to die, whether by sacrifice or otherwise He was subject to death. The Prince of Life, must die. What a horrible perspective that must have been for Him. Death and the grave could not retain Him. So powerful was that eternal life in Him that it was impossible for death and the grave to hold Him captive. Acts 2:24 His throne is an eternal, ever enduring throne. His seed or His lineage is like wise to be everlasting. Ps.89:29 The prophet Isaiah stated that of the increase of His government there was to be no end. Certainly the new heavens and the new earth are to be occupied by the new race of the people of the Lord. Isa. 9:7 His reign will be eternally over the house of Jacob. His kingdom is to be eternaly and endless. Lk. 1:33