Gênesis 15
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - God made it clear that Abraham alone would be the father of the future heir. Heirship depends on sonship (Rom. 8:14–17). Then God dramatically assured Abraham that this one heir would be the father of so many descendants that nobody would be able to count them. Even when life is dark, you can still see the stars. Someone has well said, “When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook.” Abraham had been looking around, trying to solve his problem; but the answer lay in looking up. (Ibid) W H Griffith-Thomas -III. The Divine Assurance (Ge 15:4, 5).—Now we shall see how God dealt lovingly and faithfully with His tried and troubled servant. His faithlessness was corrected. 'This shall not be thine heir.' God had not forgotten to be gracious. He was still mindful of His promises (Gen. 12:7, and Ge 13:16). His faith was instructed. 'He that shall come... shall be thine heir.' Thus God particularised in a way that had not been done previously in connection with the promise, and taught His servant, by giving him new ground for trust. His faith was encouraged. ' Tell the stars... so shall thy seed be.' Abraham was bidden to look toward heaven, and in so doing he would doubtless realise something of the wide sweep of God's purposes for him and his seed. Notice the three metaphors connected with Abraham's seed: 'The dust of the earth' (Gen. 13:16); 'the stars of heaven' (Gen. 15:5); ' the sand of the seashore' (Gen. 22:17). (Genesis 15:1-6 The Great Encouragement) Genesis 15:5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." tell (KJV): De 1:10 Ps 147:4 Jer 33:22 Ro 9:7,8 So (KJV): Ge 12:2 13:16 16:10 22:17 28:14 Ex 32:13 De 1:10 Dt 10:22 1Ch 27:23 Ro 4:18 Heb 11:12 See Multiple Resources on Genesis 15 - Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals Genesis 15:1-6 - Making God's Promises Yours - Steven Cole Genesis 15:1-7 - S Lewis Johnson Septuagint - exegagen (3SAAI: lead out Mk15:20) de auton exo kai eipen (3SAAI) auto anablepson (2SAAM) de eis ton ouranon kai arithmeson (2SAAM:arithmeo =count Mt10:30) tous asteras ei dunese (2SFMI) exarithmesai (AAN) autous kai eipen (3SAAI) houtos estai (3SFMI) to sperma sou AND HE TOOK HIM OUTSIDE: See the woodcut above by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld from the 1860 Bible in Pictures. AND SAID NOW LOOK TOWARD THE HEAVENS: Someone has well said, “When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook.” Abraham had been looking around, trying to solve his problem; but the answer lay in looking up. Whether Abraham looked down at the dust (Ge13:16) or up at the stars (15:5), he would recall God’s promise and have confidence. God did not say that Abraham would have that many descendants but that, like the stars, there would be too many to count. Whether Abraham looked down at the dust (Ge 13:14) or up at the stars (Ge15:5), he would recall God’s promise and have confidence. This promise was repeated to Abraham (22:17) and reaffirmed to Isaac (Ge 26:4). Then God dramatically assured Abraham that this one heir would be the father of so many descendants that nobody would be able to count them. Even when life is dark, you can still see the stars. Someone has well said, “When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook.” Abraham had been looking around, trying to solve his problem; but the answer lay in looking up. AND COUNT THE STARS (Ge 22:17 26:4 Ex32:13): Qal Imp: More than 8,000 stars are clearly visible in the darkness of a Near Eastern night. Only God can count the stars (Ps 147:4 Isa 40:26). John
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe- Abraham had just defeated the kings (Genesis 14:1-24) and overcome a great temptation from the King of Sodom. Now God stepped in to encourage him. How wonderful that Christ comes to us when we need Him! (Ge 14:18) God is our protection (shield) and provision (reward); we need never fear. Abraham did not need the protection of the King of Sodom or the treasures he offered. Abraham had all he needed in God. Abraham did not want a reward; he wanted an heir. He was now 85 years old (Ed: Estimate because we know he was 75 in Ge 12:4 and 86 in Ge 16:16), and for 10 years he had been waiting for his promised son to be born. If he had no son, all his inheritance would fall to Eliezer, his steward. Had not God promised in Ge 12:2NKJV, “I will make you a great nation”? Then why was He not fulfilling His promise? God answered Abraham’s supplication by lifting his eyes from himself and his steward to the heavens (Ge 15:5). (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the OT) Matthew Henry also suggests that Abram's victory over the 4 kings in Genesis 14 may have given him a sense of elevation, pleased with the outcome. And so
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe observes that "God spoke to his friend by name (John 10:3). When I was a lad, I often went shopping for my mother; and the clerks in the stores would call me by name and ask about my family. When my parents went to the bank, the tellers usually knew who they were and greeted them. With very few exceptions, the clerks I meet today see me only as a number in the computer. It seems incredible, but the God Who names and numbers all the stars also knows your name and is concerned about your needs (Ps. 147:3–4)." (Be Obedient) Dear follower of Christ, you may be going through a difficult time and are doubting whether He knows or whether He even cares. Take heart beloved, because HE KNOWS YOUR NAME!!! Take a moment and thank Him that even though you may not feel He knows, you will declare by faith (even as small as a mustard seed) that "Father, You know my name. Thank You God!" Then take a few minutes and listen to the following songs asking Him by His Spirit to minister to your heart and mind and soul and spirit. He will! He Knows My Name (By The McRaes) (By Paul Baloche) Who Am I? (Casting Crowns) "Who am I That the Lord of all the earth Would care to know my name, Would care to feel my hurt?" Do not fear - The first "fear not" in the Bible (see all uses) The Hebrew imperfect tense conveys the idea of "Stop being afraid," which implies Abram was fearful. In the Greek (Septuagint) this is translated as a command (present imperative with a negative) which means "stop fearing" (can also mean don't begin fearing), and it is possible fear had begun to overwhelm his faith, and fiery missiles were coming into his mind that the four kings might rally their forces and come against him. The command to "fear not" is repeatedly given by Jesus to His disciples (including us). And remember that God commandments ALWAYS include His "enablements." John
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - Grace--that's how the spiritual journey begins. We are saved by God's grace. We trust Jesus, and in grace God saves us. Glory--that's how it ends. One day we will be in heaven and share the glory of the Lord forever. But between grace and glory, life can be rather difficult. We read in 1 Peter 5:10 that the "God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [will] perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." Whatever begins with grace leads to glory, but how do we make the journey between grace and glory? "For the Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psalm 84:11). He is a sun. That's provision and sufficiency. He is a shield. That's protection and security. We start the journey with grace; we continue the journey trusting God's provision and protection; and we end the journey by entering into the glory of the Lord. What does it mean to walk uprightly? It means walking in the light, obeying His word, loving Him and trusting Him. Psalm 84:11 is a great verse to claim for your pilgrim journey. Begin with God's grace and end in His glory. Along the way you have the promise of His provision and protection. Do you qualify for God's provisions for the journey? Determine always to walk uprightly by obeying the Word of God and trusting its promises William Secker. - Why need a saint fear darkness, when he has such a sun to guide him? Or dread dangers, when he has such a shield to guard him? Ps 115:9 O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. Ps 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. Warren Wiersbe - Where are you hiding? "You are my hiding place and my shield." Are you hiding in the Lord? Is He your Shield? Christians have enemies who want to rob us of the blessing of God. Maybe you are hurting today. Run and hide in Jesus Christ. Ps 144:2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. Pr 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Pr 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Here are some other figurative uses of magen that apply to God's saints... Ps 5:12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Timothy Rogers, 1691. - When the strong man armed comes against us, when he darts his fiery darts, what can hurt us, if God compass us about with his lovingkindness as with a shield? He can disarm the tempter and restrain his malice, and tread him under our feet. If God be not with us, if he do not give us sufficient grace, so subtle, so powerful, so politic an enemy, will be too hard for us. How surely are we foiled, and get the worse, when we pretend to grapple with him in our own strength! How many falls, and how many bruises by those falls have we got, by relying too much on our own skill? How often have we had the help of God when we have humbly asked it! And how sure are we to get the victory, if Christ pray for us that we do not fail! Luke 22:31. Where can we go for shelter but unto God our Maker! When this lion of the forest does begin to roar, how will he terrify and vex us, till he that permits him for awhile to trouble us, be pleased to chain him up again! Spurgeon on the phrase “As with a shield.” - Luther, when making his way into the presence of Cardinal Cajetan, who had summoned him to answer for his heretical opinions at Augsburg, was asked by one of the Cardinal’s minions, where he should find a shelter, if his patron, the Elector of Saxony, should desert him? “Under the shelter of heaven!” was the reply. The silenced minion turned round and went his way. William Gurnall - The shield is not for the defense of any particular part of the body, as almost all the other pieces are: helmet, fitted for the head; plate designed for the breast; and so others, they have their several parts, which they are fastened to; but the shield is a piece that is intended for the defense of the whole body. It was used therefore to be made very large; for its broadness, called a gate or door, because so long and large, as in a manner to cover the whole body. And if the shield were not large enough at once to cover every part, yet being a movable piece of armor, the skillful soldier might turn it this way or that way, to catch the blow or arrow from lighting on any part they were directed to. And this indeed doth excellently well set forth the universal use that faith is of to the Christian (Ed: Cp Eph 6:16-note). It defends the whole man: every part of the Christian by it is preserved.… The shield doth not only defend the whole body, but it is a defense to the soldier’s armor also; it keeps the arrow from the helmet as well as head, from the breast and breastplate also. Thus faith, it is armor upon armor, a grace that preserves all the other graces. All 60 uses of magen - Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Jdg. 5:8; 2 Sam. 1:21; 22:3, 31, 36; 1 Ki. 10:17; 14:26f; 2 Ki. 19:32; 1 Chr. 5:18; 2 Chr. 9:16; 12:9f; 14:8; 17:17; 23:9; 26:14; 32:5, 27; Neh. 4:16; Job 15:26; 41:15; Ps. 3:3; 7:10; 18:2, 30, 35; 28:7; 33:20; 35:2; 47:9; 59:11; 76:3; 84:9, 11; 89:18; 115:9ff; 119:114; 144:2; Prov. 2:7; 6:11; 24:34; 30:5; Cant. 4:4; Isa. 21:5; 22:6; 37:33; Jer. 46:3, 9; Ezek. 23:24; 27:10; 38:4f; 39:9; Hos. 4:18; Nah. 2:3 O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love; Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise. Morris on I am thy shield. Many of the great claims of Christ began with the words “I am.” “I am the light of the world.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “I am the door.” Last of all, He said: “I am the Alpha and Omega,” and then “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:13, 16). In fact, His very name is “I am that I am” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus said to the Jews: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). When they questioned how Abraham could have seen Him, He simply answered: “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). They recognized this claim as a claim to be God Himself, and immediately tried to stone Jesus. But, in truth Abram had seen Him! It was probably this very occasion to which Jesus referred, when He first identified Himself to Abram as the self-existing God, the One who was able and willing to supply every need in time and eternity. (Genesis Record) GREAT REWARD Your reward shall be very great - Ge 12:2 describes in part Abram's reward - "And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing." So not only would Abram receive eternal salvation, but he would also become the heir of all others who would inherit salvation. In Genesis 14:22-24 Abram turned down the reward from a pagan king of Sodom (Ge 14:21) but in Genesis 15 receives by faith the rich reward from the King of Heaven! We as Abram's children energized by the Holy Spirit should seek to imitate Abram's example (Heb 6:12-note) and "Set (present imperative = a command to do this as our lifestyle, something we can ONLY do by relying wholly on the the Holy Spirit to graciously give us the desire and the power - Php 2:13NLT-note) our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Col 3:2-note) NET Note- Abram has just rejected all the spoils of war, and the LORD promises to reward him in great abundance. In walking by faith and living with integrity he cannot lose. Our shield and our great reward, To Thee all praise be given; Who with Thy saving help afford Until we come to Heaven. NET Note on reward - Heb “your reward [in] great abundance.” When the phrase הַרְבּה מְאֹדֵ (harbeh méod) follows a noun it invariably modifies the noun and carries the nuance “very great” or “in great abundance.” (See its use in Gen 41:49; Deut 3:5; Josh 22:8; 2 Sam 8:8; 12:2; 1 Kgs 4:29; 10:10–11; 2 Chr 14:13; 32:27; Jer 40:12.) Here the noun “reward” is in apposition to “shield” and refers by metonymy to God as the source of the reward. Some translate here “your reward will be very great” (cf. NASB, NRSV), taking the statement as an independent clause and understanding the Hiphil infinitive absolute as a substitute for a finite verb. However, the construction הַרְבּה מְאֹדֵ is never used this way elsewhere, where it either modifies a noun (see the texts listed above) or serves as an adverb in relation to a finite verb (see Josh 13:1; 1 Sam 26:21; 2 Sam 12:30; 2 Kgs 21:16; 1 Chr 20:2; Neh 2:2). Wiersbe - At times even the most dedicated Christian feels “in the dark” and wonders why God seems so far away. During the Boxer Rebellion, the China Inland Mission suffered greatly; and its founder, J. Hudson Taylor, said to a friend, “I cannot read; I cannot think; I cannot even pray; but I can trust.” It was a dark time, but God eventually gave light. Abraham had an experience of what spiritual directors call “the dark night of the soul.” The term comes from a sixteenth-century spiritual classic of that title by St. John of the Cross. Based on the night scenes described in the Song of Songs, the book tells how the child of God enters into deeper love and faith by experiencing temporary darkness and seeming separation from God. It is not an easy thing to experience, but sometimes necessary. (Be Obedient) The Word of the Lord - This exact phrase occurs 257x in 255v in all the Scriptures (NAS) - Genesis 15:1 is the first use of this phrase and the only use in the entire book of Genesis. Ge 15:1, 4; Ex. 9:20f; Nu 3:16; 15:31; 36:5; Dt. 5:5; 34:5; Jos. 8:8, 27; 1 Sam. 3:7, 21; 15:10, 23, 26; 2 Sam. 7:4; 12:9; 22:31; 24:11; 1 Ki. 2:27; 6:11; 12:24; 13:1f, 5, 9, 17f, 20, 26, 32; 14:18; 15:29; 16:1, 7, 12, 34; 17:2, 5, 8, 16, 24; 18:1, 31; 19:9; 20:35; 21:17, 28; 22:5, 19, 38; 2 Ki. 1:17; 3:12; 4:44; 7:1, 16; 9:26, 36; 10:10, 17; 14:25; 15:12; 20:4, 16, 19; 23:16; 24:2; 1 Chr. 10:13; 11:3, 10; 12:23; 15:15; 22:8; 2 Chr. 11:2; 12:7; 18:4, 18; 30:12; 34:21; 35:6; 36:21f; Ezr. 1:1; Ps. 18:30; 33:4, 6; 105:19; Isa. 1:10; 2:3; 28:13f; 38:4; 39:5, 8; 66:5; Jer. 1:2, 4, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 31; 6:10; 7:2; 8:9; 9:20; 13:2f, 8; 14:1; 16:1; 17:15, 20; 18:5; 19:3; 20:8; 21:11; 22:2, 29; 24:4; 25:3; 27:18; 28:12; 29:20, 30; 31:10; 32:6, 8, 26; 33:1, 19, 23; 34:4, 12; 35:12; 36:27; 37:6; 39:15; 42:7, 15; 43:8; 44:24, 26; 46:1; 47:1; 49:34; Ezek. 1:3; 3:16; 6:1, 3; 7:1; 11:14; 12:1, 8, 17, 21, 26; 13:1f; 14:2, 12; 15:1; 16:1, 35; 17:1, 11; 18:1; 20:2, 45, 47; 21:1, 8, 18; 22:1, 17, 23; 23:1; 24:1, 15, 20; 25:1, 3; 26:1; 27:1; 28:1, 11, 20; 29:1, 17; 30:1, 20; 31:1; 32:1, 17; 33:1, 23; 34:1, 7, 9; 35:1; 36:1, 4, 16; 37:4, 15; 38:1; Dan. 9:2; Hos. 1:1; 4:1; Joel 1:1; Amos 7:16; 8:12; Jon. 1:1; 3:1, 3; Mic. 1:1; 4:2; Zeph. 1:1; 2:5; Hag. 1:1, 3; 2:1, 10, 20; Zech. 1:1, 7; 4:6, 8; 6:9; 7:1, 4, 8; 8:1, 18; 9:1; 11:11; 12:1; Mal. 1:1; Lk. 22:61; Acts 8:25; 11:16; 12:24; 13:44, 48f; 15:35f; 16:32; 19:10, 20; 1 Th. 1:8; 4:15; 2 Th. 3:1; 1 Pet. 1:25 Ray Pritchard - Genesis 15 "Fear Not!" - The Answer is a Person God’s answer to fear is not an argument or a formula. It’s a Person. That’s why he said to Abraham, “Fear not. I am your shield.” God himself is the final answer to every fear of the human heart. Have you ever wondered why God called himself by the name “I AM” in the Old Testament? Above all else, it means that God is eternally existent and therefore all creation depends on him. God stands alone. No one can be compared to him. He is complete in himself. God doesn’t need us but we desperately need him. God doesn’t need us but we desperately need him. Think of it this way. To say that God is the great “I AM” means that when we come to him, he is everything we need at exactly that moment. It’s as if God is saying . . . I am your strength. I am your courage. I am your health. I am your hope. I am your supply. I am your defender. I am your deliverer. I am your forgiveness. I am your joy. I am your future. God is saying to you and me, “I am whatever you need whenever you need it." He is the all-sufficient God for every crisis. From Fear to Faith Let’s wrap up this message by looking at four principles that will move us from fear to faith. 1. Faith focuses on God, not on your problems. A woman told me that she had changed her phone number and left it unlisted because she is gripped with fear as she thinks about certain people and what they might do to her. As we talked together, I finally said, “It’s time to move from fear to faith. Are you ready to move with me?” She smiled hesitantly and then said yes. We prayed, claiming God’s promises of protection. When I saw her the next day she said that she had slept much better that night because she wasn’t focusing on her fears. Think of Abraham. The past argued against his ever having a child. So did the present. His only hope lay in the promises of God for the future. As long as he looked back, he would never have faith to believe God. His only hope was to step out into the future, trusting that somehow, someway God would keep his promises. 2. Faith trusts in God’s timing, not your own. So many of our struggles with fear start right here. Deep down, we fear that God has somehow made a mistake in his dealings with us. Like Abraham, we have waited and waited-sometimes for years on end. Even though we may have seen many remarkable answers to prayer, the one thing that means the most to us has not been granted. As I write these words I am thinking of certain people I know who pray faithfully week after week for their loved ones to be saved. Some of them write notes each week asking prayer for an unsaved husband or wife. Week in and week out the requests come in and the staff prays for them faithfully. One husband has been praying for his wife for many years with no real change in sight. Another wife faithfully requests prayer for her husband. Sometimes he seems interested in spiritual things, and then his interest suddenly seems to disappear. Where is God? Why doesn’t he answer the fervent, heartfelt prayers of his people? Of the many answers that might be given to that question, one answer must be that God’s timing and ours are often quite different. Sometimes it seems like we live in one time zone and God lives in another. 3. Faith grows by believing God in spite of your circumstances. Sometimes our circumstances make it easy to believe in God; other times we have to struggle. As I write these words I have a friend who is entering the final stages of his battle with cancer. After long and difficult treatments, there is nothing else the doctors can do. He is one of the finest men I know; a man whose gentle spirit endears him to others. No one knows how much time he has left, but it seems to be a matter of a few days. The last time I talked with him, he spoke about the goodness of God. He added that he and his wife had had a long and happy life together and they knew that God would take care of them. His wife said simply, “No matter what happens we are trusting in the Lord.” That’s biblical faith rising above circumstances to lay hold of the eternal promises of God. 4. Faith obeys God one step at a time. This principle is often overlooked by those seeking to do God’s will. God promised a child and Abraham desperately wanted to see the fulfillment of that promise. So what does God tell him to do? Round up the animals for a sacrifice (see Genesis 15:9-11). How do you get from there to the nursery? Abraham doesn’t have a clue and God doesn’t tell him a thing. But Abraham now has a choice. He can choose to obey God, round up the animals, and get ready for a sacrifice, even though it doesn’t seem to connect with the son of his dreams. Or he can argue with God or decide to take matters in his own hands. God weaves an unseen pattern that one day will lead us in a new direction. How often we stumble over this. We slight the near in favor of the far, shirking the duties of today because we are dreaming about some distant tomorrow. But until we have done what God has called us to do today, we will never be prepared for what he wants us to do tomorrow. In the end 99 percent of life turns out to be humdrum, ordinary routine. It’s the same old thing day after day. Yet out of the humdrum God is weaving an unseen pattern that will one day lead us in a new direction. Faith take the next step- whatever it is-and walking with God wherever he leads us. Sometimes it will make sense, other times it won’t. But we still have to take that step if we are going to do God’s will. Can God Be Trusted? Everything I’ve been trying to say comes down to one simple question: Can God be trusted to do what is right? If the answer is yes, then we can face the worst that life has to offer. If the answer is no, then we’re no better off than the people who have no faith at all. In fact, if the answer is no or if we’re not sure, then we really don’t have any faith anyway. I have chosen to believe because I must believe. When my father died 38 years ago, I came face to face with the ultimate unanswerable question of life. I didn’t know then why such a good man would have to die at the age of fifty-six or why he would leave my mother and her four sons without a husband and a father. I had no clue about what God was doing. In the years since then I have learned many things about life, but I confess that I still don’t understand why my father died. It doesn’t make any more sense to me now than it did then. I am older and wiser, but in the one question that really matters I have no answers. But I have learned since then that faith is a choice you make. Sometimes you choose to believe because of what you see; often you believe in spite of what you can see. As I look to the world around me, many things remain mysterious and unanswerable. But if there is no God, and if he is not good, then nothing at all makes sense. I have chosen to believe because I must believe. I truly have no other choice. “But I Can Trust” Pioneer missionary J. Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in 1865. During the terrible days of the Boxer Rebellion (1898-1901), when missionaries were being captured and killed, he went through such agony of soul that he could not pray. Writing in his journal, he summarized his spiritual condition this way: “I can’t read. I can’t think. I can’t pray. But I can trust.” There will be times when we can’t read the Bible. Sometimes we won’t be able to focus our thoughts on God at all. Often we will not even be able to pray. But in those moments when we can’t do anything else, we can still trust in the loving purposes of our heavenly Father. Fear not, child of God. No one knows what a day may bring. Who knows if we will all make it through this week? But our God is faithful to keep every one of his promises. Nothing can happen to us except it first passes through the hands of God. If your way is dark, keep on believing. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he cares for you. (Genesis 15:1 Fear Not!) John
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - One of the basic lessons in “the school of faith” is: God’s will must be fulfilled in God’s way and in God’s time. God did not expect Abraham and Sarah to figure out how to have an heir; all He asked was that they be available so He could accomplish His purposes in and through them. What Abraham and Sarah did not realize was that God was waiting for them to be “as good as dead” so that God alone would receive the demonstrate His power and receive the glory. It is good to share your concerns with the Lord, even if what you say seems to evidence unbelief or impatience in your heart. God is not deaf to your questions or unconcerned about your feelings. He did not rebuke Abraham; instead, He gave him the assurances that he needed. “Casting all your cares (anxiety) upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pe 5:7). (Be Obedient) John
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - The answer to Abraham’s fear was God’s presence—I AM. The answer to Abraham’s concern about his heir was God’s promise—I WILL. Paul identifies this masculine singular Seed in Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. In hope against hope he (Abraham) believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” The write of Hebrews also quotes Hebrews 11:12 (an allusion to Ge 22:17 which goes back to Ge 15:5) Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. In Genesis 13:16 God had promised "descendants as the dust of the earth" and here in Ge 15:5 as numerous as the stars. This promise is repeated Ge 16:10 Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” Ge 22:17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. Ge 28:14 “Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. You Can Depend On Him Read: Genesis 15:1-6 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 13-15; Matthew 5:1-26 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. —1 John 5:9 Prince Albert of England once visited the laboratory of a scientist named Lyon Playfair. According to Playfair’s biographer Sir Wemyss Reid, as the prince and the scientist stood near a caldron of boiling lead, Playfair asked, “Has your royal highness any faith in science?” “Certainly,” answered Prince Albert. Playfair washed the prince’s hand in a special solution and then told him to use his hand to ladle out some of the hot metal. The prince plunged his hand into the caldron and scooped up some in his palm—and he wasn’t injured. If Prince Albert could place that kind of faith in a respected scientist, how much more may we trust God’s Word! Abraham trusted God’s promise to make of him a great nation even though he and his wife were very old (Gen. 15:5-6; Heb. 11:8-12). He set an example we would be wise to follow. “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). It is not always wise to trust in the assurances made by fallible human beings. But surely we can put our confidence in the teachings, promises, and warnings of the truly dependable One. God's promises have no expiration date. By Vernon C. Grounds Genesis 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. he believed (KJV): Ro 4:3-6,9,20-25 Ga 3:6-14 Heb 11:8-note Jas 2:23-note he counted (KJV): Ps 106:31 Ro 4:11,22 2Co 5:19 Ga 3:6-note See Multiple Resources on Genesis 15 - Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals See Multiple Resources on Genesis 15 - Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals Genesis 15:1-6 - Making God's Promises Yours - Steven Cole Genesis 15:6 - Justification by Faith Alone - Steven Cole Genesis 15:1-7 - S Lewis Johnson Greek (Septuagint) kai episteusen (3SAAI: pisteuo, James 2:23-note Ro 4:3-note) Abram to theo kai elogisthe (3SAPI: Ro 4:3 = reckoned = logizomai; see Ps 32:2 = "impute") auto eis dikaiosunen (dikaiosune) BBE And he had faith in the Lord, and it was put to his account as righteousness. ESV And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. HCSB Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness. KJV And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. NET Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty. NIV Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. NLT And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. Wiersbe And he said AMEN to the Lord, and He put it to his account for righteousness” YLT And he hath believed in Jehovah, and He reckoneth it to him -- righteousness. THE DAY OF ABRAHAM'S SALVATION AN APPLICATION AT THE BEGINNING - If you have Jewish friends that you would love to see enter the Kingdom of Heaven, then let me encourage you to memorize this passage in Genesis. Why do I say that? First, because it is the passage Paul appealed to most strongly in his defense of the doctrine that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Gal 3:6-note, Romans 4:3-note). James also appealed to this passage in his exposition of a faith that saves (James 2:23-note). Secondly, the timing of Abraham's salvation in Genesis 15 preceded the command to be circumcised, leaving not one iota of doubt that the great "father Abraham" was saved by faith alone in the Gospel of Christ alone (see Gal 3:8-note, Gal 3:16-note) and not by circumcision or works of the Law. The circumcision that was commanded by God in Ge 17:9,10, 11 was not until many years later (some have slightly different ages but this could be as long as 14 years later -- Ge 16:16 = 86 yo, Ge 17:1 = 90 yo). The logic of such a Scriptural presentation to a Jewish friend is "airtight" and simply cannot be refuted if one accepts the simple, literal meaning of God's Word. So take time to memorize this passage and make a mental note that Genesis 15 (justification) precedes Genesis 17 (circumcision). And then pray for an opportunity to share this truth with the Jewish friend you dearly love! God had never intended for the physical act of circumcision to be an "end" in itself, but this is exactly what the Jews did with this command. They made it a "prerequisite" for salvation. They did what so many have done with God's Word over the years, focusing on the "letter" of the Law and missing the "spirit" of the law. God is primarily concerned about what men are like on the inside not the outside. He has always desired internal (heart) change over external (works). A good outward act is validated before God only when it honestly represents what is on the inside. (Cp Jer 17:10, Rev 2:23). Right external behavior only pleases Him when it corresponds to right internal attitudes and motives (cp 1 Co 4:4,5). Let's reiterate what the NT says about salvation, because there is often a question about how someone was saved in the Old Testament. Paul makes this very clear... Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Gal 3:6-note) The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” (Gal 3:8-note) Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. (Gal 3:16-note) THEN: There are only five words in the Hebrew original of Ge 15:6, but what a wealth of meaning they contain. The verse is quoted three times in the New Testament: Gal 3:6-note; Ro 4:3-note; and James 2:23-note. The three key words are believe, counted, and righteousness. Take time to read Ga 3, Ro 4, and Ja 2; and you will see how Abraham illustrates salvation by faith. It takes three NT chapters to unfold one verse! Warren Wiersbe - Promises do us no good unless we believe them and act on them. Abraham had already trusted God’s promise (Ge 12:1–3) and proved it by leaving home and going to Canaan (Heb. 11:8-note - see devotional "A Leap of Faith"). But Genesis 15:6 is the first reference in the Bible to Abraham’s faith. It is the John 3:16 of the Old Testament; and for this reason, the New Testament writers use it to illustrate salvation by faith. Abraham believed God, which is literally, “Abraham said, ‘Amen, God!’ ” The Hebrew word translated “believed” means “to lean your whole weight upon.” Abraham leaned wholly on the promise of God and the God of the promise. We are not saved by making promises to God but by believing the promises of God. In the Gospel of John, which was written to tell people how to be saved (Jn 20:31), the word “believe” is used nearly 100 times. Salvation is the gracious gift of God, and it is received by faith (Ep 2:8-9). The answer to Abraham’s fear was God’s presence—I AM. The answer to Abraham’s concern about his heir was God’s promise—I WILL. HE BELIEVED IN THE LORD: AMAN: Hiphil (causative) perf = be firm or sure; lean on God; trust His word. At heart of meaning of root = idea of certainty. Faith is not a blind leap but is a confident commitment to One about Whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony. Abram was regenerated by faith in the "good news" God had given him (cp Ga 3:8-note). Faith is far more than mere hope that something unlikely may happen. It is a deep, internal certainty, rooted in our trust of what God has said. John Phillips makes an good point - "We should note that Abram was counted righteous, not when he believed the promise that took him out of Ur of the Chaldees, but when he believed the promise regarding the Seed. For, in all ages, salvation ultimately comes to rest in the person of Christ. He is the Seed. It is not mere faith that saves-but faith in Christ." (BORROW Exploring Genesis) Here are parallel NT passages Romans 4:3-note For what does the Scripture say? “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:9 Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:20-25 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED (logizomai) TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned (logizomai) to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned (logizomai), as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. James 2:23-note and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED (logizomai) TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. Galatians 3:6-note Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED (logizomai) TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Hebrews 11:8-note By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Abraham had already trusted God’s promise (Genesis 12:1-3) and proved it by leaving home and going to Canaan (Heb 11:8-note). But Ge 15:6 is the first reference in the Bible to Abraham’s faith. It is the Jn 3:16 of the OT; and for this reason, the NT writers use it to illustrate salvation by faith. Believed (0539)(aman) is a verb which conveys the basic idea of providing stability and confidence. To be steady, firm and thus trustworthy. Aman speaks of certainty and thus can mean to confirm or to affirm. At the heart of the meaning of the root is the idea of certainty. And this is borne out by the nt definition of faith found in Heb 11:1. The basic root idea is firmness or certainty. The derivatives reflect the concept of certainty & dependability. AMAN expresses the basic concept of support and used in sense of strong arms of parent supporting the helpless infant. The root meaning of the verb conveys the idea of “making firm” or “establishing” something. As is often the case, the verb here occurs with the preposition “in” indicating the person in whom someone locates his steadfastness. In context, the phrase means essentially that Abraham “made himself steadfast or secure in Yahveh.” See derivative word omnah for literal picture of support [2 Ki 18:16] DOORPOSTS (KJV = PILLARS = OMNAH = active participle of AMAN) which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. where it refers to pillars of support. Baker - The primary meaning is that of providing stability and confidence, like a baby would find in the arms of a parent. It is used to signify support of a pillar (2 Kgs. 18:16); nurture and nourishment (Num. 11:12; Ruth 4:16; thus, a nurse, 2 Sam. 4:4); cradling in one’s arms (Isa. 60:4); a house firmly founded (1 Sam. 2:35; 25:28); a secure nail that finds a solid place to grip (Isa. 22:23); a lasting permanence (Ps. 89:28[29]; with negative particle, Jer. 15:18). Metaphorically, the word conveys the notion of faithfulness and trustworthiness, such that one could fully depend on (Deut. 7:9; Job 12:20; Ps 19:7["The testimony of the LORD is sure"]; Isa. 55:3 ["the faithful mercies shown to David"]; Mic. 7:5KJV ["Trust ye not in a friend"]). Therefore, the word can also signify certitude or assurance (Deut. 28:66; Job 24:22; Hos. 5:9) and belief, in the sense of receiving something as true and sure (Gen. 15:6; Ex. 4:5; 2 Chr. 20:20; Ps. 78:22; Isa. 53:1; Jon. 3:5). (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: OT) In the Hiphil (causative), it basically means "to cause to be certain, sure" or "to be certain about," "to be assured." In this sense the word in the Hiphil conjugation is the biblical word for "to believe" and shows that biblical faith is an assurance, a certainty, in contrast with modern concepts of faith as something possible, hopefully true, but not certain. SEE Ps 19:7 for detail. NET Note - 'aman means "to confirm, to support" in the Qal verbal stem. Its derivative nouns refer to something or someone that/who provides support, such as a "pillar," "nurse," or "guardian, trustee." In the Niphal stem it comes to mean "to be faithful, to be reliable, to be dependable," or "to be firm, to be sure." In the Hiphil, the form used here, it takes on a declarative sense: "to consider something reliable [or "dependable"]." Abram regarded the God who made this promise as reliable and fully capable of making it a reality. Warren Wiersbe - Abraham believed God, which is literally, “Abraham said, ‘Amen, God!’ ” The Hebrew word translated “believed” means “to lean your whole weight upon.” Abraham leaned wholly on the promise of God and the God of the promise. We are not saved by making promises to God but by believing the promises of God. In the Gospel of John, which was written to tell people how to be saved (John 20:31), the word “believe” is used nearly 100 times. Salvation is the gracious gift of God, and it is received by faith (Eph. 2:8–9). (Be Obedient, page 48) Kenneth
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - For centuries, Israel was a nation without a land; and it seemed that the covenant promises would not be fulfilled. In 1932, famous British expositor G. Campbell
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe - At the beginning of Abraham's pilgrimage, God said to him, "I will show thee" the land (Ge 12:1). Later He said, "I will give it unto thee" (Ge 13:15-17). But now His word is, "To your descendants I have given this land" (Ge 15:18). God's covenant made it a settled matter: The land belongs to Abraham's descendants through Isaac. (Be Obedient Genesis 12-25). Steven Cole on God's promise of land to Abraham and his descendants - It makes the most sense to me to take these promises in their normal sense. God promised a piece of land to Abram’s descendants, and I think He is going to keep His word. It’s easier for me to believe that, living since 1948, when the Jews were given part of the land again after 1,900 years, than for those who lived before then. But it’s refreshing to read F. B. Meyer (born in 1847), who wrote, “Somehow the descendants of Abraham shall yet inherit their own land, secured to them by the covenant of God. Those rivers shall yet form their boundary lines: for ‘the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it’” (Abraham [Christian Literature Crusade], p. 72). It’s exciting to live in a day when we can see the first glimmer of the fulfillment of God’s promise made to Abram 4,000 years ago. Verse 18 makes it clear that it’s a done deal: God affirms, “I have given this land” to your descendants. (Genesis 15:7-21 - Assurance) From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: The river of Egypt may be the Nile, or it may be what is called today the Wadi el`Arish, a smaller watercourse at the natural boundary of Egypt and the land of Israel. Here is one map showing the possible extent of the promised land - see red lines representing the Nile and Euphrates rivers although as noted the western border may not be as far as the Nile but only to Wadi el`Arish. (cp Numbers 34:5) "The reference to the Euphrates River is not to the entire length of that great river, just its northwestern arm in Syria where it is closest to Israel. Whether or not Israel has ever controlled the full extent of these boundaries is a matter of debate (See Constable's note below)." (Apologetics Study Bible) Promised Land - Click to enlarge (But probably not to Nile on the East) Solomon's Kingdom ca 971-931 BC ESV Global Study Bible Tom
Gênesis 15
Wiersbe- Solomon exercised dominion over a vast area (1 Kings 4:21; Ps. 72:8), but Israel did not possess all that land. The kings merely acknowledged Solomon's sovereignty and paid tribute to him. When Jesus Christ reigns from the throne of David (Matt. 19:28; Luke 1:32), the land of Israel will reach the full dimensions promised by God. God's covenant with Abraham stands no matter what Israel believes. The covenant is unconditional; its fulfillment does not depend on man's faith or faithfulness. In like manner, the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ is dependable whether people accept it or not. Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ enter into that covenant and receive eternal salvation (Heb. 5:9; 9:12), an eternal inheritance (9:15), and eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10). When Abraham was concerned about himself, God assured him by saying, "I AM!" When he was concerned about his heir, he heard God say, "I will!" His concern about the land was met by God's, "I have given!" In Jesus Christ, God gives those same assurances to His people today. Abraham believed God. Do you believe? (Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Obedient Genesis 12-25). C I Scofield (this is a note he wrote BEFORE Israel was regathered as a nation in 1947): The gift of the land is modified by prophecies of three dispossessions and restorations (Ge 15:13-14,16; Dt 28:62-65; 30:1-3; Jer 25:11-12). Two dispossessions and restorations have been accomplished. Israel is now in the third dispersion, from which she will be restored at the return of the Lord as King (David himself will also be resurrected and rule over Israel as king) under the Davidic Covenant (see 2 Sa 7:16; cp Dt 30:3; Jer 23:5-8; Ezek 37:21-25 (Ezek 37:24: My servant David will be king over them) Lu 1:30-33; Acts 15:14-17). Ryrie on Ge 15:18-21 The boundaries of the Promised Land are now given for the first time. This promise has not yet been fulfilled but will be when Christ returns. See notes on 17:8; Josh. 21:43-45; and 1 Kings 4:21. the river of Egypt. I.e., the Nile. Some understand this to refer to the Wadi el-Arish (E of the Nile), which is also called "the river of Egypt." However, the word for river used here means "a large river." A different word meaning "a stream" is used for a wadi, which does not always have water in it. COVENANT -- SUMMARY OF FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS COVENANT IN SCRIPTURE Hebrew: Beriyth/ Berit Greek: Diatheke WHO IS INITIATOR WHO ARE PARTIES INVOLVED WHAT REASON FOR COVENANT IS THERE SACRIFICE ARE OFFSPRING AFFECTED? IS THERE PROMISE OR OATH? IS THERE A SIGN OR WITNESS? WHAT IS LENGTH OF COVENANT? IS THERE A MEAL, AN ALTAR A NAME CHANGE? Noahic GOD > MAN (1st mention of covenant) Unconditional God "I Myself" Ge 9:9 Unconditional covenant = declares God's purpose will be fulfilled regardless of man's response. This does not mean man makes no response but man's response doesn't leave fulfillment of covenant in doubt. Noah obeyed - he built ark in faith (Lesson - True faith obeys!) Heb 11:7-note Even an unconditional Covenant entails responsibility! God & Noah Noah means rest, relief, quiet Ge 5:29 "rest from our work" "There it is: God obligating Himself to preserve man in the midst of judgment. Without anything on Noah's part-without any commitment, pledge, or guarantee-God obligated Himself -- Do you catch the faint but sweet scent of grace wafting in the wind?" (Arthur) Context: Divine Judgment Read Ge 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Wickedness of man was great warranting Ge 6:11, 12, 13 --Corrupt = 3x --Filled with violence = 2x God sorry He made man... He was grieved "It broke His heart" (NLT) Preserve life Why? To fulfill His promise in Ge 3:15 to bring forth Messiah who would bruise the head of Satan (cp Ro 16:20-note) YES ’every clean animal...’ (blood) (Costly-sacrificial = 1/7 of his clean animals - Ge 7:2) Why? This was an act of worship & gratitude in response to God’s covenant faithfulness in sparing Noah and his family. YES Sons...wife... son’s wives descendants every living creature the earth To keep alive This is the reason for this covenant - if all died God could not keep Ge 3:15 I will never again destroy every living thing x3 Ge 8:21, 9:11, 15 Will not curse ground again Seasons, day/night shall not cease No Global Flood RAINBOW ‘My bow in the cloud’ The Rainbow "is the sign of the covenant" Hebrew for "bow" also describes the weapon of war ("bow and arrow")! EVERLASTING "I will look upon it to remember the everlasting covenant" (cf "all successive generations" Ge 9:12) Application: God will not forget any of His covenants. When man looked at the bow he remembers the covenant - be mindful that God is also looking at the bow and as He looks He too remembers! Could that be why we see a rainbow in Rev 4:3-note? "Noah built an altar to Jehovah" (See Altar) (Hebrew word for altar means "place of sacrifice" - NB: Use of this word implies blood) Application: Speaks of (1) Expresses gratitude for salvation (2) Sacrificial - offered 1/7th of clean animals (cp Ge 7:2) (3) Emphasis on blood as way to approach God (cp Ge 3:21, 4:4) (4) Consecration to God (surrender) (cp NT parallel in Ro 12:1-note) Abrahamic (see below for the repeating of this covenant to Isaac & Jacob) GOD > MAN Ge 17:2,4 Unconditional God Ge 17:7, 15:18 God Alone (symbolized by "a smoking oven & a flaming torch" Ge 15:17) passed through the pieces of flesh Abram was in a deep sleep (LXX = ekstasis = trance) God & Abraham In you (Abram) all the families of the earth shall be blessed = prophecy of the Messiah Ge 12:1, 2, 3 YES Abram cut animals in two, each half laid opposite other (blood) Compare Je 34:18, 19, 20 YES I will give the land to your descendants forever. Ge 13:15 Jehovah cut covenant "to your seed I have given this land" (note past tense - God promised it - it is as good as done!) The Lord God's promises to Abraham: Descendant or "The Seed" (Masc. Sing. ~ Messiah) Ge 22:17,18 (cf Ga 3:16, Ac 3:25) Descendants as numerous as stars Ge 15:5 Land Ge 13:15, 15:7, 18 Be their God Circumcision (or see here) "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. EVERLASTING Ge 17:7,8 --------- El Shaddai promises "I will establish My covenant between Me & you & your descendants (seed) after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant." Isaac, Abraham's seed, is prophesied & granted the covenant promises. Ge 17:19, 20, 21 NAME CHANGE 1) Abram ("exalted father") to Abraham ("father of a multitude") 2) Sarai (meaning ? some say "contentious", others "princess") to Sarah ("princess") Ge 17:5,15 MAN > MAN Ge 21:27,32 Abimelech This man was a Philistine ruler over a pagan people, and yet he was the initiator of the covenant Implication? Pagans understood the solemn and binding nature of covenant Abraham & Abimelech FEAR God was with Abe Water Rights Not Stated but see ''the two of them made (Karath - cut) a covenant''. The fact that Abraham had given him sheep and oxen in the same verse strongly suggests they walked between the flesh of these slain animals as they "cut covenant" (blood) YES "Swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, or with my offspring, or with my posterity..." Ge 21:23 Abraham would not deal falsely with Abimelech (read Genesis 20 for why he may have prescribed this condition) but in kindness (a covenant word) Ge 21:23 The two of them took an oath Ge 21:31,32 Abraham gave Abimelech seven ewe lambs Ge 21:28, 29, 30 Abraham planted a Tamarisk (See ill. in pagan culture) EVERLASTING Ge 21:23 Abraham "called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God" (El Olam) Beersheba ("well of seven fold oath" or "well of the oath") Ge 21:31 MAN > MAN Abimelech This is probably the same one who cut covenant with Abraham (Ahuzzath & Phicol) Ge 26:26 Isaac & Abimelech (et. al.) FEAR: Abimelech saw that the Lord was with Isaac ‘Do us no harm’ In essence a "peace treaty" The phrase "let us make (cut) a covenant" (suggests blood) Ge 26:28 Not Stated: Note that if this Abimelech is the same king the covenant he cut with Isaac's father Abraham should have been sufficient to ensure peace, pointing that men's covenants are not as trustworthy as God's covenants to men! (Abimelech) said, 'Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, Ge 26:28 They exchanged oaths (See ill. in pagan culture) -- -- Isaac ‘made them a feast’ Abrahamic GOD > ISAAC Ge 26:24,25 Unconditional God Reaffirms the Abrahamic Covenant to Abraham's Seed God & Isaac Ge 26:24,25 Preservation of the seed I am with you, I will bless you & multiply your seed Ge 26:24 Not clear Hebrew for Altar = "place of sacrifice" (suggests blood) YES Jehovah promises Isaac "I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham Ge 26:3 -- "multiply your descendants" in Ge 26:24 implies Everlasting Isaac built an altar at Beersheba Abrahamic GOD > JACOB Unconditional God Reaffirms the Abrahamic Covenant God & Jacob Reaffirms God's Covenant with Abraham To do what God had He had promised Ge 28:15 -- YES Ge 28:13, 14, 15 Ge 28:15 See also Abrahamic Covenant Pillar Jacob set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on its top Ge 28:18 Everlasting Name change Luz called Bethel (House of God) MAN > MAN Laban "So now come let us make a covenant you & I & let it be a witness between you & me" Ge 31:44 Jacob & Laban FEAR (distrust) I will not pass by this heap to you for harm... you will not pass by this heap & this pillar to me for harm. YES "Then Jacob offered a sacrifice (blood) on the mountain & called his kinsmen to the meal & they ate the meal & spent the night on the mountain" Ge 31:54 YES "If you mistreat my daughters or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us see God is witness between you & me." Ge 31:50 Not to mistreat daughters or take other wives Ge 31:50 Jacob swore by the fear (God) of his father Isaac. Four Witnesses! Covenant a witness Ge 31:44 Heap- witness Pillar- witness Ge 31:51, 52 -- 1) Jegar-sahadutha (heap of witness) 2) Jacob called it Galeed (heap of witness) 3) Mizpah = Watch tower Ge 31:47, 48, 49 Meal Mosaic GOD > MAN Ex 34:27,28 Conditional God Ex 34:27 God, Moses & Israel Ex 34:27 Conditional = fulfillment depends on recipients obeying -- YES 1/2 of blood on altar; 1/2 blood in basins sprinkled on people (swore to obey) Ex 24:6, 7, 8 "the blood of the covenant" -- Israel Made a Promise: ‘’All that the Lord has spoken we will do.’’ Ex 24:3,7 Twelve pillars at the foot of Mt Sinai Ex 24:4 One of the purposes of "pillars" is to help remember the covenant conditions -- Altar at foot of Mt Sinai Ex 24:4 Meal Shared a common meal New — Covenant GOD > MAN Lk 22:20 ("New covenant") Unconditional Jesus instituted with His disciples at time of the Passover Meal the night before He was crucified (Mt 26:19-28) God/Man Isa 42:6 Messiah = Covenant Messenger of covenant to His Temple =1st advent "refiner's fire" =2nd advent For the forgiveness of sins Mt 26:28 YES ‘My body’ ‘My blood of the covenant" Mt 26:28 YES THE NEW COVENANT (prophesied - promised) Jer 31:31, 32, 33, 34 THE NEW COVENANT (promise fulfilled) "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance (memorial) of Me." Lk 22:19 Reminds us of costliness of Covenant Eternal Covenant He 13:20-note NEW COVENANT MEAL Mt 26:26, 27,28 1Co 11:23, 24, 25, 26 Shared a common meal Resources Related to Covenant: Covenant: As It Relates to Marriage Covenant: Why Study It? Covenant: Introduction Lesson 1 Covenant: Summary Table Lesson 2 Covenant: The Exchange of Robes Lesson 3 Covenant: The Exchange of Armor and Belts Lesson 4 Covenant: Solemn and Binding Lesson 5 Covenant: A Walk Into Death Lesson 6 Covenant: The Oneness of Covenant Covenant: Oneness Notes Lesson 7 Covenant: Withholding Nothing from God Lesson 8 Covenant: Abrahamic versus Mosaic Lesson 9 Covenant: New Covenant in the Old Testament Lesson 10 Covenant: Why the New is Better Lesson 11 Covenant: Abrahamic vs Old vs New New Covenant in the Old Testament Name change Covenant Meal Friend a covenant word (notes) Covenant memorial Phylacteries in OT Commingling of blood (notes) Common life of covenant Striking of hands Genesis 15:19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite Kenites (KJV): Nu 24:21,22 See Multiple Resources on Genesis 15 - Commentaries, Sermons, Devotionals Genesis 15:7-21 - Assurance - Steven Cole Genesis 15:7-21 - S Lewis Johnson FIRST OF 10 NATIONS MENTIONED Gilbrant suggests that "Ten nations are listed (cf. Gen. 10:15-18), for ten is the number of completeness and indicates the whole land would be given to Abram’s descendants. (Complete Biblical Library Commentary)