GENESIS 15

GOD MAKES A COVENANT WITH ABRAM 

God shares his covenant with Abram, similar to Genesis 12 when God tells Abram that He will make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. God assures Abram that he will be protected and that he is not to fear. 

Abram is concerned that Eliezer, a house servant, will become his heir since he does not have any children of his own. God tells Abram that his own son will be his heir and that his descendants will be as many as the stars. 

Although this seems impossible because of his old age and infertility, Abraham trusts God. God declares Abram righteous because of his belief and faith. Abram asks God for reassurance, and God tells him to do a very specific ritual, including a cow, goat, and ram and cutting them in half. 

A deep sleep falls on Abram and a darkness overtakes him. God tells Abram that his offspring will be afflicted as slaves in a land that is not their own for 400 years. God then tells Abram that their captors will suffer judgment and that Abram’s descendants will come out of slavery with great possessions. Lastly, God tells Abram that he will live a good, long life. This is a lot for Abram to process! 

After God tells Abram the fate of his descendants, a fire passes between the animals that have been split in two. This unique ritual shows that God is serious about keeping his promises for the atonement of sin. God responds to Abram and lets him know that he is attentive and near. 

Genesis 15:5 - 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.”