Genesis 15, The Abrahamic Covenant

Bible Study with Dr. Thomas Constable

Send us a text

Podcast Summary: Genesis 15 – The Abrahamic Covenant

Title: Genesis 15: The Abrahamic Covenant

Episode Description:
In this episode, we explore Genesis 15, one of the most pivotal chapters in the Bible, where God establishes His covenant with Abram. This moment is foundational to understanding God’s promises to Abram, his descendants, and ultimately to all of humanity. Abram’s faith is tested, and God makes a powerful and enduring promise to him, reaffirming that his descendants will inherit the land and be numerous.

Episode Notes

1. Abram’s Fear and God’s Assurance (Genesis 15:1-6)

• God’s First Words to Abram (Genesis 15:1):
  After Abram’s victory in battle and his interactions with Melchizedek, God speaks to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This reassurance comes at a time when Abram might be feeling uncertain about the future. Despite his victories, Abram has no heir, and the promise of descendants seems distant.
• Abram’s Concern about an Heir (Genesis 15:2-3):
  Abram responds to God’s promise by expressing his concern. He has no child, and his servant Eliezer of Damascus might become his heir. Abram’s question reflects his deep desire for God to fulfill the promise of descendants. His faith is strong, but his circumstances cause him to question how God will provide an heir.
• God’s Promise of Descendants (Genesis 15:4-5):
  God reassures Abram that his heir will not be his servant but his own son. To further emphasize this promise, God leads Abram outside and asks him to look at the stars, telling him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This imagery paints a powerful picture of the vastness of God’s promise.
• Abram’s Faith and God’s Righteousness (Genesis 15:6):
  In this moment of reassurance, Abram believes God’s promise. "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." This verse is key in the biblical understanding of faith and righteousness. Abram’s belief in God’s promise, despite the circumstances, is counted as righteousness, underscoring the importance of faith in God’s promises.

2. The Covenant Ritual (Genesis 15:7-21)

• God’s Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:7-8):
  God continues by reminding Abram that He is the one who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give him the land of Canaan. Abram, still uncertain, asks God, "How can I know that I will gain possession of it?" This question shows Abram’s desire for further assurance, despite his earlier faith.
• The Covenant Ritual (Genesis 15:9-11):
  God instructs Abram to prepare a sacrifice. Abram takes a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and pigeon and cuts them in half, laying the halves opposite each other. This ritual, common in ancient times, symbolizes the making of a covenant. As the sun sets, Abram falls into a deep sleep, and a dreadful darkness falls over him. This sets the stage for the divine revelation that follows.
• God’s Prophecy of the Future (Genesis 15:12-16):
  In the dark vision, God foretells that Abram’s descendants will be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years. However, God assures Abram that He will bring judgment upon the nation that enslaves them, and they will leave with great wealth. God also tells Abram that he will live to a ripe old age and be gathered to his ancestors in peace.
• The Covenant Is Sealed (Genesis 15:17-21):
  As the sun sets, a smoking firepot and a blazing torch—symbols of God’s presence—pass between the animal halves. This act signifies that God is making a binding covenant with Abram. God promises to give Abram’s descendants the land from the river of Egypt to