Untitled Sermon

Abram wondered why God was delaying

Shifting from a promise to a covenant

The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary b. Seed like Stars (15:5)

God’s faithfulness in the past was made the basis for Abraham’s trust in the future

The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary a. Introduction (15:1–4)

Throughout the Genesis narratives, when Abraham speaks he gives expression to questions that appear to reveal doubt. By contrast, when he is silent in the narratives, his actions exhibit faith.

Vision was a comfort, not only to Abraham, but also to the first readers. They were living out the fulfillment of what God said.

Matthew 3:9 CSB

And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

Romans 4:9–12 CSB

Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness. In what way, then, was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.

Hebrews 6:16–20 CSB

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

We broke the covenant and he paid the price.