INTRODUCTION: In the record given in Genesis 15:7-21, the Lord enlarged on the promises made to Abraham and sealed them by making an unconditional covenant with Abraham. There is much here that can teach us the nature of God's grace in our own salvation.I. A CONFIRMATION - verses 7-8.
The Lord here reaffirmed His promise to give Palestine to Abraham and his seed. Abraham's request for a token of confirmation does not seem to have come from a spirit of unbelief. Abraham believed God, but seems to have sensed that God wished to give some tangible proof of His intentions. We that are saved are all given tokens of the certainty of our future inheritance [Ephesians 1:13-14]. (God often condescends to man's weakness in this way) [Genesis 24:10-14; Judges 6:36- 40].II. A COVENANT - verses 9-10.
In ancient times the strongest form of trust was based on the covenant described here. Men would slay and dismember various animals from their herds and then the parties making the covenant would walk through the parts. In this way they implied that what had happened to the animals would happen to the one breaking the covenant [Jeremiah 34:18-20].What wonderful grace that Almighty God would stoop to make such covenants with man. The Lord has always given man every assurance of His intention to keep His promise [Hebrews 6:16-19].
III. ABRAHAM'S VIGILANCE - verses 11-12.
The vision of Abraham evidently lasted from one night until the next. All day he protected the sacrificial animals from hungry birds. This has often been seen to teach the need of vigilance in our dealings with God. Our prayers and covenants with God often require us to spend time before the Lord until we have received evidence of having been heard [II Corinthians 12:8-9]. Birds in Scripture often represent evil spirits [Luke 8:5 and 12]. Let us beware of wandering thoughts and Satanic intrusions that would mar our prayer life.IV. GOD SPEAKS - verses 12-16.
As night approached, Abraham fell into a deep, trance-like sleep. Before confirming the covenant God explained to Abraham His future plan. God always gives His people some degree of light concerning the future [John 15:14-15].A. Abraham's seed will be strangers in a land owned by others [Egypt].
B. They will be slaves there.
C. Their afflictions will last four hundred years. (Most conservative commentataries give an in-depth explanation of the problems connected with chronology).
D. God will judge the nation that enslaved them [Exodus 7- 14].
E. Israel will be enriched as they leave this land [Exodus 12:35-36].
F. There is no doubt that Abraham wondered if any of this would happen in his lifetime. The answer was "no," but he could be assured of a long life.
G. After their years of affliction they will return to Canaan.
H. One of the reasons that Israel's inheritance would be delayed was that the original inhabitants of Canaan were not yet ripe for judgment. All the inhabitants of Canaan were referred to as Amorites for they were the principle tribe. (Thus we learn that in God's common grace there are predetermined limits to His long-suffering with nations. Are there not evidences in Scripture that the same is also true of individuals [Hebrews 4:7; I Thessalonians 2:16; Revelation 2:20-23]. Many sound preachers have sneered at the concept of "sinning away your day of grace" because they fail to distinguish between common and saving grace.)V. GRACE - verses 17-21.
In the darkness, God confirmed the covenant by passing through the divided animals. His presence was signified by fire [Deuteronomy 4:24] in the forms most commonly seen by nomadic people. The furnace (firepot or brazier) was a reminder of God's presence with Israel in their future sufferings [Jeremiah 11:4]. The lamp was a type of God's guidance of His people [II Samuel 22:29]. The grace of God was greatly manifested in that God alone passed through the pieces. According to custom both parties would pass through and thus both had equal responsibility in keeping the covenant. That God incapacitated Abraham so that He might pass through alone is very significant. God was in effect showing that His covenant would be an unconditional one. The promises of the covenant did not depend upon Abraham's faithfulness but on God's alone. Israel in the future would know that their receiving of the promises was based on God's unmerited favour. It was not the holiness or truthfulness of Abraham but the faithfulness of God in keeping His promise. Does not this illustrate our own security in salvation. God has taken all the responsibility in redemption. Our hope is not based on our goodness but upon God's unconditional promise [II Timothy 1:9; Romans 8:33-39]. The effect is heightened when we consider that the sacrificial animals were all used in Levitical sacrifices under the law and were thus types of Christ. They represented what would happen to covenant breakers. All of us are covenant breakers, but Christ paid the penalty for our sin [Romans 8:3, 5:8]. Through His death God could give to His people a salvation wholly of grace [Titus 3:5-7].
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