Home Study 7/25/2025

Genesis 15

Tonight we find ourselves in Genesis 15 following Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek which we studied the last time we were together. We learned much about the person of Melchizedek and the “type” he represented, which is Jesus Christ.

I’m curious if anyone did any further study on the person of Melchizedek and what conclusions you drew about him. Do you believe he was a theophany? Or do you believe he was simply a type, pointing to the future true Messiah?

Let’s jump in and read the first portion of Genesis 15:

Genesis 15:1 NKJV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

After these things… These words are significant for a couple of reasons. First, they prepare us for what is to come in the next section of scripture both as a literary device but also contextually.

In reading chapter 14, we were met with a significant set of events. We had a small armed force taking on the armies of well established kingdoms from the east, and not only beating them, but routing them so badly Abram’s small fighting force was able to return to Canaan with “all the spoils and people” that were taken from the five small kingdoms of the Dead Sea region.

This in itself is miraculous as the physical odds of 300 some odd men defeating what is likely thousands is a near zero probability. This is a clear miraculous event - one that has God’s fingerprints all over it.

Second, upon his return, Abram encounters Melchizedek, King of Salem. We learned that his name means King of Righteousness and King of Peace, and that he was the High Priest to the One High God. Whether you’ve come to the conclusion that he was Christ in a pre incarnate appearance, or that he was a type reflecting the coming Messiah, the facts still stand that he was a venerated King in the region as was confirmed by Abram’s immediate subordination and obedience to Him through the paying of tithes.

So we have two scenarios that clearly speak of God’s presence, provision, and protection. And then we have these words: “after these things”.

Can anyone tell me where else this phrase appears in the Bible?

And can anyone tell me their translation?

In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the phrase “After these things”, as it appears here in Genesis 15:1 is the same translation as we find in Revelation 4:1

Revelation 4:1 NKJV

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.

In both instances it carries with it the meaning that these things are connected and consecutive. Meaning that you would be very hard pressed to take them out of context and argue that the one happened before the other. In Revelation, that’s a strong argument for a pre-tribulation rapture.

In our case, as I mentioned before, it’s contextually important because of the “things” that came before.

What the transition conveys is that the previous topics are germane to the scenario to follow, just like in Revelation. While each instance could technically stand alone as a independent scenario, it would not flow properly and in the case of scripture, they scenarios would not support or be supported by other Scripture.

In our case, after these things means squarely “after Abrams victories and encounter with Melchizedek”.

So what does it say happened after these things? Genesis 15:1

Genesis 15:1 NKJV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Interesting. After Abraham’s victory and his encounter with Melchizedek, not to mention his refusal of the king of Sodom’s offer of riches, Abraham is met by God in a vision. This word vision does have a somewhat poetical connotation in the original language, but the translation clearly means to say that Abram was awake, and the he saw God or a form of God that was safe to behold.

In keeping with Abraham’s walk of faith and the growth process therein, we see yet again that God allowed Abraham to be challenged, to be met with temptation, and to be tested in his faithful acts (re: Melchizedek) , God once again meets him, this time in both sight and word.

It’s interesting that the first thing God says to Abraham is that he is not to be afraid. Contextually, we just read in chapter 14 that Abraham did battle against formidable odds, and then subsequently refused the offer from the king of Sodom, a person which likely held a good deal of power and could have made Abrams life very difficult, in the least.

In ancient Canaan, the societal hierarchy prescribed that you should not refuse a gift from a ruler. The reason being that by receiving the gift, you were acknowledging the power and authority of the one giving it.

Not only had Abraham refused the gift from Bera (king of Sodom), but he had accepted the gifts of wine and bread from the King of Salem. A double slap in the face to Bera (which means, by the way, “in evil”).

So it could be that Abram, acting in faith (as he said in Genesis 14:23 “23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—” ), was now considering the repercussions of his choices.

But God, in his grace, meets Abram in this vision and the first thing He tells him is that he should not be afraid. This word for afraid has several translations, the first being the obvious, “fear”, but it can also mean to reverence. It’s the same word used when various passages discus the fear of God.

So God is saying, Abram, do not be afraid of your situation nor pay reverence to it. Meaning, “have no fear of your circumstance, nor pay reverence to those that can impact it.”

I take this interpretation because of what God says next: “I am your shield”

God says, “Do not fear the circumstance and what it means for you or your life, and do not reverence or fear those that can impact your circumstance, for I will guard you”.

The shield was an essential defensive weapon in ancient near east warfare and became a powerful symbol of protection in biblical literature. We know that God is called our shield in many versus including Psalm 3, Psalm 7, Psalm 18, Psalm 84, Psalm 89, and Prov 2.

In some cases, the metaphor of the shield is used to convey the image of God as a just and protective king, responsible for the well-being of His subjects, which fits very well here in context with Abraham’s interactions with two earthly kings.

Has that happened to you in your life? Have you had a great spiritual victory, or have you made a choice for the Lord and then in creeps a thought or fear? Like, “what will happen now that I have stood my ground for God, will I be chastised, will my livelihood be impacted… and so on.

God here is clearly addressing Abram’s concerns, and for us it is a good example of how to keep our thoughts captive in Christ when we are in similar situations.

Abram did not have a Bible, he could not open scripture and receive the Word of God in writing. so here God comes to him as it says in verse 1, “the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision”.

For us, we do have the Word, and can access the promises and reassurances of the Lord by opening its pages and hearing and seeing the Word of God. And it’s important to remember a few things as we do.

As we see here in this chapter, God is addressing the things Abram is concerned about in his current circumstances - real tangible concerns that cam about as a result of his interactions with the world around him as he walks in faith.

God also addresses the concerns that Abram has not yet voiced, as we will see in the next verses.

What does this mean? It means that God is fully aware of the things you are already dealing with and the things that have not yet come. In both cases He tells us, and Abram here, not to fear or reverence them. Do not put a priority on them that is not fitting for one who has a shield as strong as the Lord.

In battle, if a broadsword is swung at you, and the only defensive movement you can make is to bring your shield up and guard against the attack, do you stop in those 500 milliseconds and contemplate the strength of the shield?

Do you take moment to consider its strength? Whether it will be able to absorb the blow?

No, because all you can do in that moment is to trust that the shield is going to protect you from a killing blow.

So why is it that when we are met with the attacks of this world we so often first stop to consider all of the negative outcomes, then how we will parry them, instead of relying on the living shield which is God?

I don’t have that answer either. I do the same thing. But here God is saying to Abraham, there is nothing of the circumstances you are in that you need to fear because “I am your shield”.

The encouragement for us is that when we fear, the first place to turn is to the shield, the Word, and to search out the promises of God in scripture as a way to defend against the slings and arrows the enemy would shoot into our mind and to combat the weak flesh that says whatever circumstance has arisen is too much to overcome.

God continues in verse one, saying to Abram, “[I am]… your exceedingly great reward.

In the context of the transition between chapter 14 and 15, we can make a justifiable connection between the Lord telling Abram that He, God, is his reward, and Abram having just forfeit what would likely have amounted to great riches in the form of the spoils offered to him by Bera.

It’s easy to relate to Abram in this context, as there have likely been times for us all where making ends meet was difficult. We have concerns over wages, bills, taxes, mortgages. And there have likely been times when we have even reconsidered tithing because we need that money to pay a bill.

Now we know that Abram was a wealthy man, that he had taken with him riches from Egypt, but we also know that he just gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he had and had turned down the spoils of the war he had just fought. War s not cheap and with 300 men to feed and arm for battle, as well as hundreds of people to feed and shelter following their rescue would have been costly - resources would have been tapped.

So it’s not out of the question that in the back of his mind, Abram is concerned or at least contemplating going about replenishing his resources.

And in His grace, the Lord comforts Abram by saying He is Abrams exceedingly great reward.

There is a very interesting use of language here. When we look at the original language we see that the Lord is addressing both a monetary concern and a concern that Abraham has yet to verbalize.

Let’s start with the word “exceedingly”. This word doesn’t only communicate abundance in measure, but also an abundance of power or might. So in the context of this verse it is sating that the “great reward” will be extremely large, but that it will backed by the might and power of the Lord.

Now where it becomes interesting, and reflects the Lord’s omniscience and His ability to cover all our needs according to His riches.

The word “great” used here is the Hebrew word “rabah”, and it means to become many, or to become numerous and great and expresses God’s original mandate for humans to multiply on the earth.

Now this is very fitting in that we know in chapter 12 God had promised Abram that from him would come many people, more than the sands of the seas, and they would become a great nation.

It’s very indicative of God’s understanding of Abram’s thoughts before Abram even voices his concern regarding God’s previous promises. It’s not until verse 2 that Abraham shares his feelings of uncertainty regarding God’s previous promise.

God is saying, “Don’t fear this current situation or those around you, I will protect you and will fulfill my promise to proliferate your family as I had already said/”

And this is in keeping with God’s graciousness throughout Abram’s walk thus far. At each stop, each change in circumstances, after Abraham has walked through the trial, God returns to reconfirm His promises to him.

And again, we have the same promises in the New Testament. Jesus has told us He would never leave us or forsake us, and that is on top of OT promises that clearly show us Jesus, who is God, has our best interest in mind. Once again, we are reminded that in our fears and concerns we can be built up by seeking His word in Scripture.

Now the last word, “reward” is also interesting. In this verse it indicates that God is the reward for Abram’s faithfulness (v. 6) but in may other areas of the Bible it is used for a monetary or material reward.

I am not a name it and claim it believer. I do not subscribe to the belief that prosperity is in any way linked with faithfulness. However, I do believe that God is the provider of all things that we need. So when I read this, and include an understanding of the original language, I understand it to mean that in being Abram’s reward, God is everything Abram will ever need, material and spiritual.

So in one verse, one sentence from God, God has addressed literally everything Abraham could fear, is fearful of in the moment, or may be uncertain about in regard to God’s promise. In 13 words form the Lord, God addresses anything and everything that Abram is contemplating.

In verse 2 and 3 we see Abram’s response:

Genesis 15:2–3 NKJV

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

In chapter 12 we saw a similar expression of doubt on Abraham’s part. The Lord had promised to make him a great nation, which would require that Abram have a son or sons, yet when Abram was met with the threat of death, he turned to lying about his wife to protect his own life.

This brings up an interesting point. I have heard some pastors teach that fear is a sin. I don’ t believe that fear is a sin in and of itself. However, when fear causes one to lie, scheme, or commit any other act counter to God’s word, then we have sin.

It’s the same as with temptation. Temptation is not sin. Jesus was sinless and He was tempted 40 days in the wilderness and did not sin. Fear has the same anatomy. To be afraid, which in many cases can be an emotional and spontaneous response, is not sinful, but to turn to your own solutions or plans can get you all the way to full blown sin.

Personally, I don’t ever want to be in a place where fear interrupts God’s plans for my life. I don’t want to head into Egypt because I am afraid to starve in Bethel, and then have to perpetuate my erroneous solution by lying or scheming to maintain status quo.

I look at this way.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

God has given us a sound mind. This word for sound mind in Greek means that our minds can make sound judgments. The word fear in this verse is clearly used in the negative sense. The Greek form of it is always used in the negative. This verse says that your fears are in opposition to the sound mind the Lord has given you. Therefore, with a sound mind you are able to recognize the fear that has come upon you and address it soberly.

Second, the word for power is dunamis, and it means having capability or the ability to battle cowardice, and carries with it a spirit of strength or manly vigor in direct opposition to the spirit of cowardice.

And thirdly, the word here for love is agape, which we all know means perfect Godly love.

In other words, your fears can be brought into the captivity of your mind by the power you hav ebeen given to oppose fear, by a mind which is sober and able to rightfully judge that which you are afraid of. And that resultant judgment should not be in regard to what you can do to assuage your fear, but what God has said in regard to your fear, because God is Love and has told you what He will do for you.

It would have been a very different story if Abram would have addressed his fear of death and the possibility that his wife was going to be abducted by the Pharaoh had he meditated on God’s promise that he would one day be the father of a great nation. There is no way to be the father of a great nation if you die before you have children, and would be impossible to have children without a wife…

And so the same goes with our fears and concerns.

We need to recognize when we are beginning to fear. It is emotionally healthy to recognize our feelings, in this case fear, and take the thought captive. We have been given the ability to do so in power and love, in opposition to fearful or cowardly thoughts.

Once captive, or recognized, we are to make a sound judgment by way of the Lord’s Word. What does the Word say about our situation? What has God promised?

Once we have consumed the Word of the Lord, we are to trust in Him to fulfill it.

Now that brings us back to chapter 15 of Genesis and to God’s response to Abram’s doubt.

Genesis 15:4–7 NKJV

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”

While it’s easy to formulate a plan, based on an understanding of God’s word, to counter fear and doubt, we are human, and for the vast majority of us, fear and doubt will be with us our entire life.

But God is graceful and merciful beyond measure, and does not meet our fear or doubt with retribution or chastisement.

Here in verses 4-7 God once again condescends to reiterate His promise to Abram and to show him once more that His promises will come true.

God takes Abraham outside of his tent and shows him the multitude of stars in the sky and says thus shall your descendants be. One has to imagine how the night sky would have looked in Bethel thousands of years ago, but we can certainly imagine it being amzingly bright. It’s said that if there was no light pollution we could see up to 10,000 starts with the naked eye.

The thing is, there is an estimated 200 billion trillion stars in the universe. In the Milky Way it’s at least 100 billion.

For Abraham, the message was clear, God’s promise would be exceedingly great as were the number of stars in the sky.

For me that’s the key takeaway for tonight’s study. God’s promises are exceedingly great in the face of our concerns, our fears, or worries. And not just the promises we all love to hold on to - the most memorable.

God is not the God of only the greatest promises, He is the God off all promises. He promises you:

A future and a hope

To meet all your needs according to his riches