Hello everyone! thank you for reading and your continued prayers. I love you all in Jesus name!
I wanted to share a Bible study, I chose to lead chapter 15 of Genesis here in my study group. Enjoy and read along the verses in your Bible.
Verse 1
This verse reminds me of John 1:1.
When is the first time the word “word” is mentioned in the Bible? Right here
Word in Hebrew is dabar. Sounds like debate. It has many uses but here are a few. Again thinking of John 1:1
Define. A word. A matter or thing. A cause.
Some uses, answer, commandment. Glory. Judgement. Power, request, etc..
Jesus is so many “words” of God. The expression of so much of God. So what or who is this word in the vision? it can speak?
God did not speak to Abram in chapter 14. We previously did this study and saw the consequences of taking lot with him when God told him to leave his kin behind and go to a new land. Does that mean whenever it comes to Lot that is God’s permissive will? Because it wasn’t God’s plan for Abram.
We know many times in a visit, the heavenly beings say “fear not”
But who is this? Who is our shield. Again it is the Lord
If you go to Deuteronomy 33:29
2nd Samuel 22:3
Psalm 3:3
It says God is our Shield.
It says in the new testament, Ephesians 6 talks about the armor of God. In verse 16 it says above all take the shield of faith.
Faith in whom? Can’t be just anyone, In God. Christ is our Lord.
Who can be a reward? How can God gift Himself to us?
John 3:16!
Verses 2-3
Was Abram focusing on the wrong thing? He heard “reward” and wondered who it could go to.
God already said that his descendants would receive it and be as the sand of the sea.
In chapter 14 we talked about Eliezer, here we see he is from Damascus. He is the current heir so he wasn’t picked up recently. I wonder when he was picked up? always was with him in Ur, just he was from Damascus?
verse 4
The Word of the Lord came unto him again. Is he still in his vision? Later he sleeps and God talks to him. Lets make sure where he is sleeping and isn’t.
God has said repeatedly that Abram will have descendants. I guess Abram wanted specifics haha, I know we do that. But God answers him.
Verse 5
Is this the vision? Does God take or show him the stars? Gods promises are sure, sometimes the bigger they are the easier they are to believe. So many people are descendants of this one man.
Verse 6
This verse is repeated many times in the New Testament. Believed. Not just ” I believe God is real” But a trusting “I believe who you are and you will do what you ay you will”.
In the old Testament, salvation is still a mystery. Here God accounts Abram’s belief for righteousness. It sounds like Roams 10:8-10 but this is before Gods plan of salvation. We know Abram goes to paradise. I think it is still a mystery but a picture of what is to come.
Verse 7
Does he not know this is God? How do we receive an inheritance? Normally someone dies then it is passed down.
In the Hebrew it can mean many things, like to cast out to claim.
First, we recognize God is the living God, second God owns all of this even if someone else is occupying the land.
Also Abram’s Inheritance is never given directly to him but to his descendants
Verse 8
God is very patient with Abram so He answers his question. It reminds me of how Mary responded to Gabriel.
Not questioning God’s plan but the impossibility of it
Verse 9
Why 3 year old animals?
In Isiah 15:5 and Jeremiah 48:34 it talks about it but doesn’t make sense to me on what it means. Are they too old?
Verse 10
It seems he is awake here. Sacrificing animals to make a covenant.
The Hebrew word of covenant means to cut. Maybe this is where people get the saying “to cut a deal”
Do you have any idea on why not cut the birds? Too small?
Verse 11
Do you see this having spiritual applications? In the 4 types of Ground parable the birds are satan taking the gospel before it roots. Am I over thinking it?
Verse 12
He is back to sleep. God choosing to speak to him this way?
The great darkness fell on him.
Verse 13
Then it spoke? God has been (or will be in Exodus) a pillar of fire. Speaks out of the bush.
God is telling Abram this, He doesn’t say why.
It still takes many more years before Joseph goes to Egypt. We don’t know why this is God’s plan. Why not keep them in Canaan?
Verse 14
If God didn’t send them there how would all His mighty signs be shown? God is using this covenant to display His power, not just bless Abram. Making a nation isn’t easy!
Verse 15
He was talking about the future descendants. Now God says how Abram will live and die.
Verse 16
4th Generation. 400 years?
We spoke on this before. God lets their iniquity increase until time to punish. Is he always giving a chance to repent? Like Nineveh?
Who were the Amorites?
First mentioned in Gen 10:16 they were sons of Canaan.
Since God said their time hasn’t yet arrived they are not mentioned until the end of Genesis. Then 400 years later to Moses to complete the promise.
In Numbers they are one of the groups the spies report on. In Numbers 21:21 the king wouldn’t let them pass peacefully so Israel sought and won and lived in their cities (numbers 21 verse 25)
Gad and Reuben inherited Sidon and Og which is Amorites and Bashon.
They were one of the 5 kings that Joshua smote. They were last mentioned (not Chronologically) in 1st Samuel 7:14 where they made peace with Israel.
Verse 17
Now Abram is awake. The commentary says both parties normally walk through the cut animals to signify the deal, but I only see the burning lamp pass through. This is one sided.
Read Hebrews 6:13-18 God swears by Himself!
Unconditional covenant. Nothing would stop this from happening. That same promise lives in you today, The Holy Spirit.
Any comments or thought on the burning lamps? I think of Revelation, Jesus with the lamps Rev 2:12-13
Verse 18
Look at maps if you have one. Egypt, the Nile river to Euphrates. West to east then all the way up to the top of the river as well. All that land God promised! All that was never given to the Children of God so it is a promise still to come!
God bless you, study the Word and learn more
about Who God is!
Jordan Grenon
A prisoner and Son of God!
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