1/15/2012
Chapter 15-
-The word of the LORD came to Abram once again in a vision commanding him not to fear because God was his shield and protection. The LORD also promises Abram that his reward would be great, but Abram questions this because he is childless, without heir to his possessions. The LORD promises him a descendent from his own body and that his descendents will be as numberless as the stars in the heavens. Then Abram believed in the LORD and God deemed it to him as righteousness. Here is Old Testament faith verbalized by the great “I AM,” the living God who brought his family out of Ur of the Chaldeans and false religion to the land of promise. God’s plan of salvation was well under way. Abram sees the Messiah from far away into the future (Hebrews 11:13). Abram was righteous by his faith and nothing else.
-Abram asked for confirmation that he may know that his possessions would be realized in the land. God has him sacrifice a heifer, a female goat, and a ram, all three years old. A turtledove and a young pigeon were also commanded to be brought, but they were not cut. Instead, they descended down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
-God further confirms Abram’s promise by giving him a vision of the captivity and oppression in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years (4 generations). This vision created terror and great darkness on Abram as he slept deeply. But God promises to judge this nation whom they will serve, and in the end they will come back to the land with many possessions. However, Abram is promised that he will go down to his fathers in peace.
-Abram is given a further confirmation of the covenant as it became very dark and there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between the slain animal pieces. God promises him the land from the river of Egypt as far as the Euphrates River along with all its people groups.
Verse to Memorize: Genesis 15:6
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