21. How many predictions are there in regard to things done under the Law?

D. In regard to these things which happened under the Law, how many kinds of predictions do we find? M. About twenty-two. For either (1) the increase of the people is foretold, such as to Abraham, "And you will be as a great and strong nation" (Gn 12:2). Or (2) a promise of inheritance, such as, "To your seed I will give this land" (Gn 12:7). Or (3) the separation of the unworthy, such as, "Cast out this slave-girl and her son, for the son of the slave-girl will not be heir with the son of the free woman" (Gal 4:30 < Gn 21:10). Or (4) punishment for enemies of the people, and reward for friends, for instance, "I will bless the ones blessing you, and curse the ones cursing you" (Gn 12:3). Or (5) the liberation of the people from their enemies, such as, "Your seed will be foreign in a land not their own, and . . . they will go out from there with a great deal of baggage" (Gn 15:13,14), etc. [1b] Or (6) the generations and names of some persons, such as Isaac (Gn 17:19) and Samson (Jgs 13:7-24). Or (7) the loftiness of descendants, as, "Kings will stem from you" (Gn 17:6). Or (8) the manner of one's end, for example, "And you will go to your fathers peacefully, nourished in a good old age" (Gn 15:15). Or (9) the difference in peoples, e.g., "One people will surpass the other, and the elder will serve the younger" (Gn 25:23). Or (10) abundance, such as, "God will give you from the dew of heaven, and from the fatness of the earth, abundance of grain and wine" (Gn 27:28). Or (11) divine assistance, such as, "See, I am with you, guarding you on the whole journey" (Gn 28:15). Or (12) the choosing of the priesthood, or educated class, such as, "I will divide them in Jacob, and will scatter them in Israel" (Gn 49:7). [1c] Or (13) the strength and immutability of inheritance, such as, "Judah, the lion's whelp; from a shoot, my son, you have grown up; reclining you have slept like the lion, and like the lion's whelp; who will rouse him?" (Gn 49:9). Or (14) the plan of life, such as, "Even Zabulon himself as a traveler will inhabit the ports of ships" and "knowing rest, that it is good" (Gn 49:13,15), etc. Or (15) transgression, as it is said, "For I know that after my death you will do wickedness, and will turn aside from the way which I have commanded you" (Dt 31:29). Or (16) punishment, such as, that "Evils will come upon you in the latter times" (Dt 31:29). Or (17) a general expulsion, as it is said, that "They have angered me with their gods, and have provoked me with their idols, and I will anger them for a non-people, I will hand them over for a foolish people" (Dt 32:21). Or (18) the result of virtue and its reward, e.g., "Lord, who will dwell in your tent, or who will rest on your holy mountain? He who walks without stain, and does justice" (Ps 14[15]:1,2), etc. [1d] Or (19) a kind of punishment, such as, "Gad came to David and announced, saying to him, 'Choose to happen for you either famine for three years over the earth, or to flee for three months from the face of your enemies pursuing you, or for three days for a pestilence to happen in your land'" (2 Sm 24:13). Or (20) signs, such as, "And this will be a sign to you, that God has anointed you ruler over his heritage" (1 Sm 10:1), and the rest. Or (21) the choosing of a prophet, such as, "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High" (Lk 1:76). D. Give the predictions (22) about the nations in regard to the people. M. For example, "his hand upon everyone, and everyone's hand upon him" (Gn 16:12), and, "Arise and leave this place, because the Lord will destroy the city" (Gn 19:14).

[2] Visions, too, of Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh, and of other kings or nations told by prophets, refer indeed to the nations' affairs; nevertheless, the intention looks toward the people, in regard to whose punishing individual things came forth.