Genesis 15

        God reaffirmed his original promise to Abram when He first called Abram to leave Ur of the Chaldees. Here in verse 1, God reminded Abram that He was Abram’s shield and “exceeding great reward”. This is especially significant since Abram had just refused a great reward from the king of Sodom. But now Abram questioned God’s promise, reminding Him that he, Abram, had no heir except for his manservant, Eliezer of Damascus, whom Abram referred to as “…the steward of my house…” This was the custom in those days when a patriarch had no sons or any other male relatives upon whom he wished to bestow his lands and wealth. (Once again, Abram is showing wisdom in not choosing his nephew Lot as his heir.) Abram reminds God in verse 3, “Behold, to me thou has given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.”
        God promptly responded, assuring Abram that Eliezer would not be his heir. “…he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” (v.4) God then told Abram to step outside his tent and look up toward heaven. “Tell the stars, if thou be able to number them,” the Lord said to Abram. “So shall thy seed be.” (v.5)
Verse 6: “And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” Abram simply, completely believed. Doctrinal note from my study Bible: “This was not his [Abram’s] original act of faith, but further evidence of his confidence in God. In light of Hebrews 11:8-10, Abram had clearly already experienced saving faith at the time of his original call. (Genesis 12:1-3) Romans 4:6 and 22 cite instances of God imputing righteousness to the account of those who were already believers. Romans 4:18 refers to Abram’s believing God’s promise that he would have a posterity. Thus, the doctrine of imputation is based upon man’s faith. The fact that Abram was justified by God fourteen years before he was circumcised is the basis for Paul’s argument in Romans 4:9-12 that faith, not works (e.g. circumcision), is the means of our justification. Therefore, the Old Testament as well as the New Testament teaches salvation by faith, not works.”
       Notice in these verses that God is not upset or angry with Abram for questioning Him or His promise. Once again, God shows his attribute of a loving, patient father. God understands and sympathizes with Abram’s doubt, and, rather than chastise him for it, He lovingly reassures Abram that his seed will be as innumerable as the stars of the heaven. God then goes on to remind Abram in verse 7 that the land in which Abram now dwells will be inherited by his seed. To which Abram asks, “Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” Again, Abram’s doubt is understandable, and God doesn’t rebuke him for it. Abram’s faith, like that of all new believers, is new and, thus, weak. It’s hard for us to accept something that seems utterly impossible and improbable from our limited, finite point of view, especially when all physical, tangible evidence and life experience point to something completely opposite of God’s promises or calling.
       In response to Abram’s question God instructs him to get a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon. (v.9) He then tells Abram to kill the first three animals and cut the carcasses in half. Note from my study Bible: “Ancient covenants were sometimes confirmed by the halving of the sacrificial victims and the two parties to the covenant passing between them (see Jeremiah 34:18-19). In this case, however, God alone passes between the animal pieces, in the form of a smoking furnace from which torch-like flames shoot out (see Exodus 19:18), because this covenant with Abram is unconditional, and can be carried out only by God Himself.” Once Abram had properly laid out the halved carcasses of the animals, God caused a deep sleep to fall upon him. (Genesis 2:21, 28:11, Job 33:15)
 
        Verses 13 – 17: God gives a specific prophecy to Abram, telling him of the future captivity of the Israelites in Egypt. God tells Abram that He will judge the Egyptians and that Abram’s seed would come out of Egypt with great wealth. He goes on to promise Abram, “Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.” (v.15) God then passed through the animal pieces in the form of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp.
 
        Verses 18 – 21: God reiterates his promise to Abram that his seed will inherit the land in which Abram now dwells, from the Nile river in Egypt to the Euphrates river in northern Canaan. The last 3 verses of this chapter is a list of all the heathen nations that currently inhabit this land that God has promised to Abram and his descendants. God will use His chosen people to bring judgment and punishment upon those wicked peoples.