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To give more emphasis to the posterity of Abram the Lord included the sand of the sea shore. Gen. 22:17 Immediately it becomes apparent that we are once again dealing with a vast number. How long would it take just to count a handful of sand? In using such uncountable items, which exist in such a great volume, it is very obvious that the Lord is making promises that are for a future life. That which seems and is impossible with man is possible with the Lord. Mark 10:27.
The third element used to describe the number of the descendents of Abram is the dust of the earth. Gen. 13:16 This time the Lord has used a fine all prevailing element to convey to us the extremely great number involved. Here, for the third time the greatness of the number is that which is high lighted.
Thus we are given three great possibilities of the Lord having plans for the new heavens and the new earth which indicate the building of a spiritual race of people. Heavenly Jerusalem, is stated as being a mother, more over the mother of us all. She lives in liberty, free from the works of the flesh and the bondages of the past life. Gal. 4:26 Motherhood is the destiny of that glorious city of the Lord. Most unfortunately, the interest and eyes of too many are focused today on that which is natural. The interest of the Lord is on that which is spiritual. As a prospective bridegroom His attention is centered on His bride and not on a city of this world. More so, due to the fact that the earthly city lives in bondage. Gal. 4:25.
The Lord is not bound by the natural way of accomplishing a matter. He has made promises and then waited until the promise was a natural impossibility and then moved in a miraculous manner to accomplish His goal. Paul wrote of Sarah who was to bear a son in her golden years, at the age of ninety. Gen. 17:17 In preparation for the miracle the Lord changed both the name of Abram and Sarai. Taking the H from His own name, JHVH, He inserted it into their names and in this manner refreshed their ability to bear children. The birth of Isaac was not only natural but it was after a supernatural work was wrought in them by the Lord. The Lord is not bound by natural laws. Sarah up to the time of this mighty and most unusual change had been childless. She had suffered anguish and sorrow over her barrenness, but now the Lord was about to change all that. Gen. 17:15.