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| Genesis 15 July 14, 2004 Reading through the Bible in one Year: Colossians 1-2 Weekly Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9 Good Evening Brothers and Sisters, Genesis 15:1-21 (NASB95) Abram set the stage for faith based belief in God. I am a little unsure how to approach this without sounding like the faith preachers on TV. Abram had a solution to his dilemma in mine concerning his heir, he was looking at Eliezer of Damascus. But often when we get to thinking, God is left out in the cold. In this vision, God was having a conversation with him, and He instructed Abram that Eliezer would not be his heir, rather he would have a son, and that son would have descendents as numerous as the stars. Remember one important thing here, Abram was an old man at this time. When he left to go to the land of Haran before going to Egypt he was 75 years old, after that, he went to Egypt, lived there for a period of time and returned to Ur. God just gave him a seemingly unlikely possibility. I would remind you though, it had not been long since the long lives of his ancestors had been normal. In other words, several generations earlier (before the flood), it was not unusual for an old man to have children. Abram believed God, and God credited him with righteousness. Abram exercised faith, believing God's word to him. Hebrews 11:7-12 (NASB95) Romans 4:3 (NASB95) James 2:23 (NASB95) Abram believed God, and demonstrated that belief by exercising faith in his life. One note on the word believed, the word in the Hebrew is not a word that means that Abram believed from that point forward, it means that Abram had already believed God, and was acting upon and exercising belief that was already a part of his life. We aren't talking about a new information, where Abram acted upon a whim, we are talking about a relationship of belief where Abram acted upon belief that had already been a part of his life. Abram made a habit of believing what God told him. God made a covenant with Abram, and sealed the covenant with a blood sacrifice. Notice though, God did not promise Abram that everything would be easy and that his descendants would be wildly rich, they were promised four hundred years of slavery. To validate this projection, Abram stood to protect the sacrificed animals and the birds of prey were trying to get at the sacrificed animals. This may symbolize the way that the Egyptians would mistreat the Jews. Then they would leave egypt rich. Later a smoking and flaming torch passed between the pieces, it is easy to connect that with the Red Sea splitting and Israel being led by a cloud during the day, and a column of fire at night. God indicated through this vision what the immediate future of Israel would be. He also indicated to them that they would have to drive out the inhabitants of the promised land. Abram was promised a good long life. Isaiah 6:3-7 (NASB95) Also note that the fire represented the holiness of God. This covenant that God had established with Abram is still in effect because God is still alive. The land of Israel was promised to them, and God will continue to restore His people. I am going to close here, any questions or remarks are welcomed. Questions for thought: 1. Later in the Bible, sacrificed animals were completely burned and consumed by fire, why did God pass the torch through the pieces instead of consuming them? 2. What is your take on the birds of prey? 3. In the New Testament we are referred to as children of Abraham because we are children of faith, how does this tie into the vision? Father, as we consider Your word, open our minds so that we can understand and apply the principles to our lives. In Him, Joe Turner. |
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Joe,
Thanks.
The sacrifice and the torch
passing between the pieces is not a vision of the people leaving Egypt!
Where did you find that interpretation? Actually, there is greater promise
here. Normally, when a covenant was concluded between two men, both of the
parties would walk between the divided carcass(es). But here, Abram was
asleep (12). Only God moved between the divided animals (17)! Covenants
normally had requirements for each of the parties to fulfill. However, in
this case, the Lord made all the promises which He would fulfill. (That is
why only the torch or oven passed between the animal pieces. Only God was
taking on the responsibility to fulfill the covenant! It was His promise.)
That says God's promises to Israel depend on Him, not Israel or their
disbelief. Note Romans 11:28-29. The gifts and the callings of God are
irrevocable! That gives me assurance about my salvation. It depends on
Jesus, on God, on grace, not me. Even before the foundation of the world,
He chose me (Eph. 1:4)! I received the gift of forgiveness and new life,
but even that is not something about which I should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
Lifted up the requests.
IHG,
Erik
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Hi Erik,
I appreciate the correction, to answer
your question, sometimes I get carried away... anyone who was mis-lead by
my rambling, please consider Erik's words carefully and be guided by his
wisdom. For the sake of convenience, I am copying and pasting the
references noted above:
Romans 11:28-29 (NASB95)
28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Ephesians 1:4 (NASB95) Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB95) Thanks for focusing our attention on the truly important lesson regarding faith and God's promise to believers. If salvation relied upon our strength to uphold an upright life, we would all be in a lot of trouble! God is faithful, Praise Him! I saw the correlation between the vision of Abram and the Exodus, and totally missed the deeper meaning of the passage. Thanks again, Joe. [1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. |
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