The Covenant Confirmed

Fall 2024, Evening Services

Genealogy of Jesus

Message #3

Genesis 15:1-21.

This is evidence that not only is it true Great is Thy Faithfulness but also that great is the testing of one’s faith in Him.

Central Idea: God reminded Abram of the covenant and confirmed it with the ceremony.

How would God fulfill the covenant promise? [vv. 1-6]

Through the promised offspring— not the household slave.

Address the statement of faith in verse 6.

Who would benefit from the covenant promise? [vv. 7-21]

Abram’s descendants.

As numerous as the stars in the sky [v. 5]

The covenant affirmed through ceremonial sacrifice. [vv. 9-17]

Initiated by the ceremony; concluded by the flaming torch and fire of verse 17.

A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments, Vol. I: Genesis–Deuteronomy Chapter 15

In explanation of this transaction, it is necessary to observe that, on occasions of great importance, when two or more parties joined in a compact, the ancient custom was to ratify the covenant or treaty by sacrifice, which was offered in the following manner:—The carcases of the animals to be used in the sacrificial rite were divided into halves, which were arranged on two separate altars erected opposite to each other; then the parties between whom the covenant was made passed in the intermediate space, with the severed parts of the victim lying on either side of them—a symbolical act by which they obliged themselves to the covenant by all their hopes of peace and prosperity, or imprecated the Divine vengeance on their own heads in the event of their altering or violating the terms of the treaty. The scene terminated by the consumption of the sacrifice by fire

Address the details on the journey.

His offspring being resident aliens for 400 years [vv. 13-16]

Know this for certain (יָדֹ֨עַ תֵּדַ֜ע)

Abram knowing he would die and not see the fulfillment of the promise

Reflective Questions:

[1] What degree of comfort is it to you that God is our shield?