When the Impossible Becomes Possible
Genesis 15:1-5
Series: Essential 100
January 13, 2008
Morning Service
Introduction
Pain was not part of God’s original plan for creation but when sin entered, pain became a part of human life. Pain seems to be a recurring theme throughout the scriptures. We especially see it throughout the book of Genesis. Here are just a few examples:
Adam and Eve experienced the pain of loss when Cain murdered Abel and then was exiled
God experienced the pain of grief when humanity had become so sinful that the world needed to be destroyed by flood
Noah experienced the pain of rejection when the people refused to listen to him before the flood.
Isaac would experience the pain of deception when Jacob deceives Esau out of his blessing.
Jacob experiences the pain of sorrow when he believes that Joseph had been killed.
Joseph experiences the pain of rejection when his brothers sell him into slavery.
Over and over again, we see the effects of sin and the pain that is created when sin creates havoc in the lives of God’s people. Pain is one of the harsh realities of our sinful world. Everyone in this sanctuary has experienced pain of some kind at one point or another in their lives.
This morning I want to look at another painful situation that was revealed in the life of Abram.
1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " 2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:1-6
As we look into this point in the life of Abram, we need to remember a few important facts. The first is that he is till Abram and not Abraham. What is the difference? God has not yet changed his name. The name Abram means exalted father. This is a bit ironic because he has no children. Each time Abram hears his name it is a reminder he is childless. God will later change his name to Abraham which; means father of a multitude or father of many.
The second fact we need to remember is that Abram left everything to follow God. God promised Abram in Genesis 12 that He would make Abraham into a great nation. Not only did Abram believe; he acted on that very belief. Abram left his home, left his family and everything that was familiar, just to follow God. Remember, Abram is 75 at that time.
The third fact is that time has passed and nothing has happened. Abram has a new address, new surroundings that are none too friendly and what has it gotten Him? It seems like nothing but headaches, heartaches and heaping troubles. In the flash forward, Abram has obeyed with nothing to really show for his obedience. It is at this moment that God steps in with a vision for Abram. Is God’s timing awesome or what?
God works in an unbearable pain
Abram has been faithful to God and now he feels afraid, alone and abandoned. God speaks into this situation in verse 1: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. We need to understand that God is speaking to what Abram is feeling. When we are led by our feelings it interrupts our ability to live by faith. Feelings are fickle and they change like shifting sands and will often lead us astray.
God understands that Abram feels afraid
God tells Abram: Do not be afraid. The question on Abram’s mind here is this: Will I ever be secure?
God looks into the heart of Abram and sees his fear. Abram has been
Abram’s fears were real. There was the fear of attack. The people who were in the Canaan area were not necessarily the friendliest. There was fear of failure. Abram had been following God for many years and seemed no closer to the promise of becoming a nation. Abram may well have feared he followed God in vain.
God understands that Abram feels alone
The question that is here is this: will I ever be safe? Abram left his personal support system. There was nothing in the land where God had brought him. In many ways, Abram was alone. The only family he had was Sarai and Lot. Sometimes Lot was more trouble than help. Abram feels alone. Notice what God say here to Abram: I am your shield. It is a promise of protection over Abram. The factions that surround Abram will not harm him.
God understands that Abram feels abandoned
The question here is: Will I ever possess the land? Abram had been given the promise of becoming a nation. He moved half way around the world and still has no children. Abram had just rescued people and then treated them fairly. It was his right to claim all of their possessions, including gold, livestock and land. Instead, Abram returns everything and trusts God.
Notice Abram’s response
1.) I have no heir
Abram is disappointed. Being childless was often a source of shame and disgrace. It symbolized a lack of God’s blessing. Remember, God promised to bless Abram so greatly that the world would be blessed through him. The problem was the same as it always was, there was no baby. No baby meant that there was no future.
2.) You have given me no heir
Abram is in despair. The promise given by God in Genesis 12 to make Abram a nation depends entirely on having an heir. No heir means that there would be no line and no line means that there is no promise.
3.) My heir is not my son
Abram is discouraged. Abram had an heir but the problem was that it was not his son. Everything that God had blessed him with would be in the hands of a foreigner. The provisions would be wiped away. The promise would be left empty. All would be lost.
God offers an unforgettable promise
God gives a precious word
God addresses the discouragement of Abram immediately. Discouragement is poison to the soul and spirit. God tells Abram that Eliezer will not be his heir. This means that the worst fears of Abram are for nothing. Eliezer is not going to get anything of Abram’s. God again makes it clear that Abram will have his own heir. There will be a child of promise.
God gives a vivid illustration
God takes Abram outside. It is important to remember that Abram is having a vision. The vision shows the night sky. Keep in mind, the night sky of the ancient day would have been incredibly clear. There would have been no extra sources of light or pollution to cut down visibility. The view would have been spectacular.
God tells Abram to look up and count the stars. With our modern technology, we still cannot get an accurate count of all the stars. There would have been no possible way for Abram to do it. The effect would have been amazing. It would have been an impossible task.
God gives and amazing promise
God follows the task of counting the stars with the reason. So shall your offspring be. God drops the mother load of promises on Abram. God gives Abram a small glimpse of his future. Not only will God provide an heir, a son of his own, but He will also give him so many descendants that there will be no way to count them all. God is simply saying to Abram: I will keep my promise to you in ways beyond your ability to imagine.
God reveals an unmistakable plan
There will be a promised people
God makes it clear to Abram that there will indeed be a nation. God called his out of Ur for the reason of creating a new nation. This would be a nation that would be His people.
There would be a promised land
18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates-- 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."
God assures Abram that there would be a place for his people. Not only will there be a nation but there would also be a national territory. God even declares the boundaries of the land of Abram’s line. The land stretched from near the Nile in the south to the Euphrates in the east. The geography likely includes the location of the Garden of Eden.
Conclusion
Jesus understands pain
Just as God spoke into Abram’s pain, Jesus speaks into ours. I am the resurrection and the life. When Jesus spoke these words to Martha, he did so following the death of Lazarus. These are words of comfort in the midst of pain. Just after Jesus tells Martha about the promise of God, He weeps with the sisters. Because of Jesus we have hope in the midst of life’s deepest pain
Jesus offers a promise
Just as Abram was given the promise of a child; we have been given a promised
child. Jesus was the child of promise that bridged the gap between heaven and humanity. Jesus brings to us a new covenant and the promise of God
Jesus reveals a plan
Jesus tells His disciples later of the master plan that he was bringing about. In my father’s house are many rooms, I go there to prepare a place for you. Just as Abram was given a promised land, so are we. Jesus offers us the promise of a place with God for all eternity.
