Knowing The Word in Genesis 15:1-6, God's Covenant with Abram

[The episode falls into two scenes which run in close parallel:

First scene: Second scene:

God’s word v 1 Promise of reward v 7 Promise of land

Abram’s word vv 2-3 Complaint of childlessness v 8 Guarantee requested

God’s reaction v 4 Promise of heir v 9 Oath rite commanded

Public act v 5 Taken into open vv 16-17 Oath rite carried out

God’s word v 5 Promise descendants vv 13-16 Land for descendants

Conclusion v 6 Abram’s faith vv 18-21 God’s faith/covenant]

1 After these things the word of the Lord came [revelation] to Abram in a vision [rare in Scripture]: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield [confirming Melchizedek’s verdict]; your reward shall be very great.” [Abram did not take a reward, so God will provide for him.] 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless [his complaint and unfulfilled divine promise], and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus [whoever he may be]?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” [God reinforces his promise.] 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.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. [Abram’s silence showed his faith. Faith is the correct response of man to God’s revelation. That God counted Abram as righteous comes from a legal context within the spiritual realm meaning he is acquitted by God. Abram is not described as doing righteousness. Rather faith is being counted for righteousness. It is in crisis situations that faith or the lack of faith is revealed. There are two reasons we should note his faith: 1) because it comes to Abram in a crisis situation following battle and 2) it serves as a reminder of his attitude to God that should be a model for all his descendants to follow. Paul picks up on this idea of being justified by faith in Romans 4.]