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¹ After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
² And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
³ And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
⁴ And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
⁵ And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
⁷ And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
⁸ And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
⁹ And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
¹⁰ And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
¹¹ And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
¹² And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
¹³ And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
¹⁴ And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
¹⁵ And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
¹⁶ But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
¹⁷ And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
¹⁸ In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
¹⁹ The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
²⁰ And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
²¹ And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
🌟 A Vision in the Night and a Covenant Sealed by Fire 🌟
“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” – Genesis 15:1
Genesis 15 is a sacred moment of revelation. God speaks directly to Abram, not through signs or intermediaries, but in an intimate vision that reveals the depth of His covenant. It’s here that God assures Abram of His protection and reward and formalizes a divine promise through a mysterious and solemn ritual. This chapter isn’t just about Abram—it’s about a God who keeps His word even when the timeline seems unclear.
Through fear, questions, and faith, Abram engages deeply with the Almighty. This chapter lays the foundation for the concept of righteousness by faith and offers a prophetic glimpse into the future of God’s people.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 15
Verses 1–6: God’s Assurance and Abram’s Faith
God speaks to Abram in a vision, calming his fears and promising him a great reward. But Abram brings his honest doubts before the Lord—he has no heir. God responds with a powerful promise: Abram’s seed will be as numerous as the stars. And Abram’s belief is counted unto him for righteousness. This is a cornerstone moment in Scripture, emphasizing that faith is the basis of righteousness, not just works.
“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6
Verses 7–11: The Covenant Begins with a Sacrifice
God reminds Abram that He brought him out of Ur to give him this land. Abram, seeking confirmation, asks how he can know. God answers by initiating a sacred covenant ceremony. Animals are brought, cut in half, and arranged. Abram prepares the sacrifice, showing obedience, but must also protect it—driving away birds of prey—revealing the need for diligence while waiting on God’s promise.
Verses 12–16: Prophetic Revelation of Israel’s Future
As night falls, Abram is overtaken by a deep sleep and a “horror of great darkness.” God reveals a sobering prophecy: Abram’s descendants will be strangers in a land not theirs (Egypt), afflicted for 400 years. Yet God promises to bring them out with great substance and judge their oppressors. This moment unveils God’s long-term plan of redemption through trial and deliverance.
Verses 17–21: The Covenant Confirmed by Fire
A supernatural sign follows: a smoking furnace and a burning lamp pass between the animal pieces. This divine manifestation seals the covenant. God alone walks the path, showing that this is a promise He will fulfill unconditionally. The boundaries of the land promised to Abram’s seed are declared—from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates.
💡 Key Themes
✨ Faith Reckoned as Righteousness
Abram’s trust in God sets the standard for justification by faith, a principle echoed throughout Scripture (Romans 4:3).
✨ God’s Promises Require Patience and Obedience
Though the promise is given, its fulfillment is delayed. Abram must walk by faith, not sight—just like us.
✨ Covenant Through Sacrifice
The covenant isn’t light—it is solemn, sealed with sacrifice and fire. God commits fully to His word.
✨ Prophetic Destiny
The future trials of Israel are revealed before they happen, proving that God’s hand is sovereign over history.
👤 Key People
- Abram – A man of faith who becomes the model for righteousness through belief.
- The LORD – The covenant-keeping God who reveals, promises, and confirms with fire.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 15 is foundational for understanding the doctrine of faith. It introduces the covenant in blood, reveals God’s long-term redemptive plan, and shows how righteousness is credited to those who believe. It connects deeply to the Gospel message and God’s eternal promises.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- What does it mean to you that faith is counted as righteousness?
- Have you ever waited long for a promise from God? How did you remain faithful?
- How does God’s vision of the future shape your understanding of present trials?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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