Lesson 12
Trusting in God’s Promises
Genesis 15
Me-
After the City of Richmond annexed the part of Chesterfield County where we lived and began busing school children from one side of town to another, my wife and I decided to move. We began working with a realtor and put a contract on a lot in Chesterfield County with anticipation of building a new home. Very soon there was also a contract put on the home in which we were living. Then the problems came. None of the lots in the subdivision would perk and so there was nowhere to build a home. We were literally at that point between a rock and a hard place. Our decision was to not move at that time, but we already had a contract on our house. It was a situation completely out of our hands. As we prayed about it the realtor went to the couple buying our house and explained the problem. By the grace of God they were willing to back out of the contract and we were able to keep our home.
Later we did move to Chesterfield. That however is a different story for another time. What we learned during that time is that no circumstance is bigger than God. What appeared to be impossible, from a human perspective, worked out to the benefit of all parties. God was the only One who could have brought about such an ending.
We-
We in the church often get ourselves into a dilemma because we do not spend enough time in prayer and waiting. From a human perspective we often think that we have the answers for the way the church should act. What usually happens is division and strife within the body. God has promised to use His church to impact the world. Unless we follow His plan the results will be less than what He wanted them to be. Recently I have seen how decisions that once would have been made in haste are now carrying out with unity. We have learned to wait on the Lord and make sure that the whole congregation understands and can see the benefit of the decision.
Abram at times was an example of both camps. When he waited on the Lord the results turned out for his benefit. When he decided to take matters into his own hands many suffered. We should always err on the side of making sure we are carrying out God’s purpose for the church when any issue comes before us.
God-
Genesis 15:1
It was only after the events which occurred at that point in time that God once again speaks to Abram. Those things to which the writer would have referred would have included:
- The breaking of all ties with Lot.
- The proclamation by Abram of the sovereignty of God in verse 22 of chapter 14. In that verse he had “sworn to the Lord God Most High” his intentions not to owe allegiance to any man including the king of Sodom.
God then spoke to him insuring him of His protection which Abram had already experienced and would find reassuring in the future. Abram also received the promise of great reward in the future.
- Why was it important for Abram to break ties with Lot?
- What did Abram finally understand about his nephew?
- Why did Abram’s remarks to the kingdom of Sodom open the door for God to once again make promises to him?
- In what ways are these same promises available to us?
Genesis 15:2-3
In Abram’s response can be read the heartache of a man who had come to realize that all the possessions in the world would be worthless with having a descendant born to him to whom he could pass it own. From Abram’s perspective, possibly being too old to father a child through Sarai, one of his servants would be the recipient of all his wealth.”
- What does Abram’s response show what truly is important to him?
- What statement made by him indicated that he had possibly lost hope in having a child?
- What kind of opportunity did this open for God to show his faithfulness to Abram?
Genesis 15:4-5
The answer to the last question shows that God was still working in the life of Abram. He was not only going to be the father to a son but his descendants would be so many that they could not be numbered. God was telling Abram to think beyond anything that he could imagine. Nothing was impossible for God to accomplish.
- What was the answer to Abram’s question about having a child of his own?
- Why did God give an answer that extended beyond just the one son?
- What does this say about God?
Genesis 15:6
God’s declaration to Abram was the turning point for mankind. Because of the belief of one man that God is trustworthy to carry out all that He has promised, Abram and all of his descendants who have that same faith are viewed as being in right standing with God. Paul refers to this incident in his discussion of the Law versus Grace in Romans 3 and Galatians 3:6. This one act of faith was declared as the door into a relationship with the Father.
- Why was this one verse so important in the life of Abram?
- What does it mean for us today?
- Why was Paul able to use this verse in his discussions with the followers of Christ at Rome and in Galatia?
- How does this verse diminish any claim of finding salvation through works?
Genesis 15:7-11
Once again God restated the promise to Abram that all the land would one day be possessed by his family. Abram asked God to validate his promise. God used a ritual that was part of that culture in ratifying a contract. Abram would recognize the physical sign that he being asked to perform. He did as God commanded and prepared the heifer, goat, ram, turtledove and young pigeon in the prescribed manner. To protect the sacrifice Abraham had to chase away the birds. Often the image of birds connotes those who ravage the kingdom.
- Why did God have Abram prepare the animals as a confirmation of His promise?
- Why did God not just tell Abram what He was going to do?
- What affect did this have on the relationship between God and Abram that we read about in verse 6?
Genesis 15:12-16
Abraham falls asleep when the sun went down. The extreme darkness was a perfect setting for the words that God was about to bring to him. Even though the descendants would eventually inherit the land that Abram had seen when God told him to look around, there was going to be a period of four hundred years when the Israelites would live in the land of Egypt. After the four hundred years Egypt would be judged for the treatment of them. The reason given for the delay was the fact that “iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” When the time was fulfilled the Israelites would return after four generations each lasting one hundred years.
- Why did God come to Abram after a deep sleep came on him?
- Why was it necessary for the Israelites to spend time in Egypt?
- What were the two purposes for the four hundred years?
- How would you respond to such a vision?
Genesis 15:17-19
Into the darkness came the light of God in the form of a flaming torch. God ratified the covenant made with Abram. Once again He spelled out the content of the agreement by telling Abram the extent of the land grant. It extended well beyond present day Israel to include all the land from the Euphrates to the Nile River encompassing some three hundred thousand square miles of territory. He even told Abram the names of the people who would be conquered and were inhabiting the land when the Israelites returned from Egypt.
- How did God ratify or seal the covenant with Abram?
- What did the torch represent?
- What was the territory that would be given to Abram’s descendants?
- What part of that territory does the nation of Israel possess today?
- What does it mean for the future of Israel?
- Why must the nation not give up any of the land on which they now live?
- What were the two things promised to Abram in this chapter?
- Which of the two held more importance for Abram? Why?
You-
- Think about some of the things you have requested from God. In what ways do you believe he has answered them?
- Ask yourself, is your view of God too small when asking Him to do a work on your behalf?
- Think about something you dared not ask God because you were afraid that He might actually answer you. Then what would you do?
We-
All too often we limit ourselves in the church by thinking too small. It is as if we are afraid that if we dream big dreams or develop a God size vision that we can only accomplish that He might actually begin to fulfill the vision. If we want to be a person or a church that truly serves the purpose for which God has called us let us not think too small but pray that God will open our eyes to all of the possibilities He has for us.
Abram asked for a son, but God was going to give him descendants beyond number and a land in which they would live that covers more territory than they possess today. How willing are we to see what God could do with us if we just think beyond what we are capable of accomplishing on our own. How much of this world are we going to claim for God?
Additional Notes:
BL-Genesis chapter l5 describes the covenant God makes with Abram. Notice how God’s promises became more specific and bountiful as Abram grew in his obedience to Him, which is the way He works with all His children. In l5:1, God promised to be Abram’s shield. He had already protected him during the war among the Canaanite kings. In vv. 2-5, God reiterated His promise to give Abram a son from his own body and offspring as numerous as the stars. Verse 6, which says, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited to him as righteousness,” is a key verse in this passage. Abram was no
more deserving of God’s blessings than any other person. We have already seen he was a sinful man. Here God declares him righteous. This was grace, God’s free gift to Abram. It is the same gift that is available to all who come to God through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. Like Abram, we are all sinners and undeserving of God’s grace. He thankfully bestows it on us when we place our faith and trust in Him. In v. 8, Abram asked for a sign that God will keep His promises. God commanded Abram to bring Him a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon. Abram prepared the sacrifices and falls into a deep sleep, during which God reveals to him what the future holds for his
descendants. God told Abram that his people will be enslaved in a foreign country for four hundred years, but then they will come out with great possessions. This is, of course, a prophecy concerning Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, followed by the great exodus under Moses. Then God sealed the covenant between Himself and Abram by passing a smoking firepot with a blazing torch between the sacrifices, signifying that He
would keep His covenant with Abram. It was covenant that is completely one-sided, originated and kept by God. All He asked was for Abram to trust Him. Abram would not live to see the fulfillment of all God had shown him. Finally, in verses 18-21, God gave Abram’s descendants all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates, a prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled in its entirety!.
GC-Abram had faced great odds in attacking the four kings who fought against Sodom and captured Lot. After his victory and receiving the blessing of Melchizedek, God appeared to him in a vision and said, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward will be great.” He was being told that he could trust in the Lord for protection, the very thing that he had already experienced. (Gen. 15:1)
E-After Abram had defeated the alliance of kings and rescued lot, God once again appeared to him. He affirmed Abram and promised that He would reward him greatly. Abram considered all of God’s promises of little value without an heir. God reiterated that he would indeed have a son born to him who would produce multitudes of descendents. The true importance of this encounter with God came in Abram’s response. The Bible says, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned him it to him as righteousness.” This transformation has affected all of Abram’s spiritual offspring to this very day. These powerful words still leap off the pages of Scripture to this day. To Paul they were of the upmost importance to those who believed through faith and not by works as he expressed in Romans. (Gen. 15:1-6; Rom. 4:3, 20-22)
RT-We are all too often enslaved by lack of faith. God is able to take our limitations and make them limitless according to His purpose. Surely, Abraham could not envision his descendents being as many as the stars in the sky when he had not yet even seen the promised child. Lack of faith in God’s ability to accomplish all He desires is what hinders us. (Gen. 15:5)
RT-It was at this point that Abram believed God’s promises and God now viewed or judged Abram as righteous. (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6-7)
GC-It is by his faith in God through Jesus that a man is judged, viewed, looked upon by God is righteous. Belief in God made Abram righteous in the eyes of God. (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3, 5, 9, 23; Gal. 3:6)
C-Abram believed and it was “reckoned to him as righteousness.” A right relationship with God results in His proceeding with His plan for our lives. (Gen. 15:6)
M-Abram truly heard what the Lord said and when he believed, God judged him as righteous. The determination to know God will bring the reality of Him into one’s life. When man truly seeks, God will reveal Himself to that individual. (Gen. 15:6)
GC- “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” This tremendous statement of faith would be hard to accept without a sign. We have the privilege that Abram did not have in the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Gen. 15:6, 8)
E-To answer Abram’s concern about future, God laid out before him the events involving the four hundred years that his descendents would spend in Egypt and the subsequent return to the land promised to him. (Gen. 15:8-21)
GC-Abram had a sensitivity to recognize God, to hear him and to respond to Him even when in a country like Ur when others did not have this awareness. He:
- Talked with God (Gen. 15:8)
- Had dreams and saw visions (Gen. 15:13, 17)
- Was given prophecy (Gen. 15:13-16)
- Feared God (had awe of) God (Gen. 15:12) (Gen. 15:8-17)
C-Abram was told about what would happen in the future to his descendents during the four hundred years that they would spend in Egypt. There was also the promise that they would return on possess the land of Canaan. (Gen. 15:13-14, 16)
C-God established a covenant with Abram and his descendents. He promised that the land in which Abram then lived would given permanently. (Gen. 15:18-20)
UE-It is amazing that the creator and perfect God would judge a man as righteous based only on his faith. (Gen. 15:6)