1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”
4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”
5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”
8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”
9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half.
11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him.
13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.
14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.
16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
21 And the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
The True Meaning of Genesis 15
This passage from the book of Genesis was written by Moses, the great prophet and leader of the Israelites. He recounts the covenant that God made with Abram, later known as Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Abram’s growing faith in God’s promises is seen in this chapter, even as he struggles with the delay in fulfilling those promises. God reassures Abram and establishes a solemn covenant, foreshadowing the future redemption of his people. The events described here lay the groundwork for the Exodus and the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land.
Abram’s encounter with God reminds us of the importance of trusting in the Lord’s timing and plan, even when it doesn’t align with our own expectations. The chapter also highlights the significance of God’s covenant relationship with his people, a theme that runs throughout the entire Bible. We are invited to reflect on our own faith journey and the ways in which God is working in our lives, even when we cannot see the full picture as we read this passage.
Genesis 15:1-6
Key sections can be identified in Genesis 15:1-6. “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’”
2. “But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’”
3. “And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’”
4. “And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’”
5. “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. God speaks to Abram (later known as Abraham) in a vision in the first section, offering him comfort and reassurance. Despite Abram’s concerns about his lack of descendants to inherit his legacy, God promises him a great reward. This interaction sets the stage for the eventual fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars.
Abram’s response in the second section reveals his human doubts and concerns. He questions God about the lack of an heir and considers the possibility of his servant, Eliezer, as his heir. This dialogue showcases Abram’s honesty and vulnerability before God, as he seeks clarification and reassurance.
God’s response in the third section is definitive: Eliezer will not be the heir, but rather, Abram will have a son of his own. This revelation is crucial in the narrative of God’s covenant with Abram, as it solidifies the promise of a future lineage for him. God takes Abram outside in the fourth section and uses the imagery of the stars to illustrate the magnitude of his future descendants. This visual representation serves to reinforce the promise made by God, emphasizing the vastness and abundance of the blessings to come. It’s a powerful moment of divine revelation, highlighting God’s faithfulness and Abram’s pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan.
The culmination of this passage in the fifth section is Abram’s belief in God’s promise, which results in God counting it to him as righteousness. This act of faith is a central theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating the importance of trust and belief in God’s promises. It sets a precedent for the righteousness that comes through faith, a concept that is further developed in the New Testament, especially in the letters of Paul (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6). This passage in Genesis 15 lays the foundation for the unfolding of God’s covenant with Abraham, emphasizing themes of faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises. It highlights the significance of believing in God’s word, even when circumstances seem unlikely or uncertain, and serves as a precursor to the birth of Isaac and the continuation of God’s redemptive plan through the line of Abraham’s descendants.
Genesis 15:7-11
A significant interaction between God and Abram in Genesis 15:7-11 serves as a pivotal moment in their relationship. The passage begins with God reaffirming His promise to give the land of Canaan to Abram’s descendants. This reaffirmation is crucial because it not only reinforces God’s faithfulness but also demonstrates His commitment to fulfilling His promises despite the passing of time. This verse underscores the significance of the land of Canaan in God’s plan for Abram and his descendants, highlighting the importance of the covenant that God established with Abram (later renamed Abraham). God instructs Abram to bring specific animals for a sacrificial ritual as he seeks assurance of this promise. This act of sacrifice is fundamental in ancient Near Eastern cultures as a means of establishing a covenant or oath. The parties involved passed between the divided pieces, symbolizing their commitment to fulfilling their part of the agreement, by cutting the animals in half and laying the pieces opposite each other, which was a customary way of sealing a covenant in this context. However, what transpires next is crucial to understanding the profound message behind this passage. Vultures descend on the carcasses as Abram prepares the sacrifice, prompting him to drive them away. This seemingly mundane detail carries symbolic weight that is essential for grasping the deeper meaning of the passage. The vultures represent the forces of evil or doubt that threaten to undermine God’s promise and Abram’s faith. Abram demonstrates his unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises by driving the vultures away. This act is a powerful testament to Abram’s steadfast belief in God’s word, despite the challenges and uncertainties he may face. This event foreshadows the trials and obstacles that Abram and his descendants will encounter throughout their journey. The presence of vultures serves as a precursor to the hardships and struggles that the Israelites will face in their sojourn in the wilderness and their eventual conquest of the promised land. It is a reminder that even in the midst of adversity, God remains faithful to His people, guiding and protecting them along the way.
The significance of this passage extends beyond Abram’s story, as it echoes themes of faith, obedience, and divine providence that reverberate throughout the Bible. Just as Abram trusted in God’s promise despite the odds stacked against him, believers are called to exhibit unwavering faith in the face of adversity and uncertainty. This passage serves as a poignant reminder of God’s faithfulness and His commitment to fulfill His promises to those who place their trust in Him. It lays the foundation for the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and perseverance in the journey of faith.
Genesis 15:12-16
God makes a significant covenant with Abram in Genesis 15:12-16. Let’s break this down into sections for a more detailed exploration. Abram fell into a deep sleep as the sun was setting, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him, starting with verse 12.” This event of Abram falling into a deep sleep is important as it sets the stage for a profound experience where God communicates with him. The deep sleep could be seen as a state where Abram is more receptive to divine revelation. This state of sleep and divine communication is reminiscent of other biblical instances such as when God speaks to people through dreams, like in the case of Joseph or Daniel.
Moving on to verse 13: “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.’” This section is pivotal as God foretells the future of Abram’s descendants, specifically the Israelites. This prophecy of slavery in a foreign land for 400 years refers to the Israelites’ bondage in Egypt. This period of oppression in Egypt was not only a test of endurance for the Israelites but also a demonstration of God’s faithfulness in eventually delivering them, as seen in the Exodus story. It highlights God’s sovereignty over time and events, even those that are yet to come. Verse 14 says, “‘But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.’”‘” Here, God assures Abram that despite the suffering his descendants will endure, there will be retribution on their oppressors, and they will emerge from their bondage with great wealth. This promise foreshadows the Exodus narrative where God not only delivers the Israelites from slavery but also ensures that they leave Egypt with treasures given by the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36). This verse emphasizes God’s justice and the fulfillment of His promises, even in the face of adversity.
Continuing to verse 15: “‘You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. God assures Abram of his personal fate in this section, promising him a peaceful death at a ripe old age. This promise of a peaceful end for Abram can be seen as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness in honoring His commitments to His faithful servants. This assurance would have provided Abram with comfort and certainty about his legacy and place among his forefathers. Verse 16 finally states, “‘In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.’”‘” This verse not only reaffirms the eventual return of the Israelites to the promised land but also alludes to the justice of God in dealing with the inhabitants of the land. The mention of the sin of the Amorites reaching its full measure suggests that God is patient and just, giving nations time to repent before judgment falls upon them. This verse underscores God’s sovereignty over nations and His role as the ultimate judge of righteousness. The passage in Genesis 15:12-16 captures the essence of God’s covenant with Abram, laying the foundation for the eventual fulfillment of His promises to the patriarch and his descendants. The themes of divine communication, prophecy, justice, faithfulness, and sovereignty are interwoven in this passage, emphasizing God’s enduring presence and His commitment to His chosen people throughout history.
Genesis 15:17-21
God makes a covenant with Abram (later renamed Abraham) in Genesis 15:17-21, marking a significant moment in his life. This covenant is a crucial event in the grand narrative of the Bible as it sets the stage for the fulfillment of God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. Let’s break down this passage further to understand its depth and significance.
Genesis 15:17 begins with the description of God’s presence as a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passing between the pieces of the animals that Abraham had sacrificed. This imagery symbolizes God’s divine presence and commitment to the covenant. People in ancient times often made a covenant by walking between two halves of a sacrificed animal, symbolizing a binding agreement that would result in a similar fate for the one who broke it. Here, it is crucial to note that it is only God who passes through the pieces, indicating that the covenant is unconditional and solely dependent on God’s faithfulness, not on Abraham’s ability to fulfill his part perfectly. This highlights the grace and steadfastness of God’s promises, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.
The covenant that God makes with Abraham in this passage includes the promise of land, specifically the land of the Canaanites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites, as mentioned in Genesis 15:18-21. This promise of land is significant as it foreshadows the inheritance of the Promised Land by the Israelites, Abraham’s descendants, centuries later. This land promise becomes a central theme in the biblical narrative, linking back to God’s covenant with Abraham and emphasizing God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises over time.
The mention of these specific nations in the covenant reinforces the idea that God’s plan encompasses all peoples, not just the Israelites. Throughout the Bible, God’s redemptive plan is revealed to be inclusive, offering salvation to all who believe. This universal aspect of God’s covenant with Abraham points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:16). God’s promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them are reminded to us as we reflect on Genesis 15:17-21. The covenant with Abraham serves as a foreshadowing of the new covenant in Christ, where God’s grace and salvation are offered to all who believe, regardless of lineage or nationality. This passage underscores the importance of trust and obedience in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to bring them to fruition in His perfect timing.
After Genesis 15
The Lord had made a covenant with Abram, promising him a son and countless descendants. Yet, Abram still had no child. Abram’s faith was tested once more as the chapter drew to a close. But the Lord’s promise remained steadfast, a beacon of hope in the darkness.
Abram’s journey was far from over. The next chapter would reveal the Lord’s plan unfolding, guiding Abram through the trials that lay ahead. For those who trust in the Lord, the path may not always be clear, but the destination is assured. Let us follow Abram’s example and hold fast to the promises of our faithful God.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.