Studies In Genesis: Chapters 15 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

Genesis 15

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.

What happened in chapter 14?

Abram fights against the other kings

Abram turns down the rewards from the king of Sodom

I believe that God reassures Abram here. He tells him that he is his shield and his rewarder. He is his protecter and his supplier. Not only does he watch over him and keeps him but he also blesses him. He did not need the kings booty because he had God. The same is with us, when God is on our side then we are protected and provided for.

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.

Abram had the same problem that many of us have. He was tring to think like himself and not God. He could not understand Gods plan as an heir. He knew his wife was barren and they had no children so how could he be the father of great nations without any children. According to the laws of the day with no child then the head servant would recieve all the inheritance this is why Eliezer is mentioned.

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.

God reassures his promise that he made in chapter 12. There will be an heir and it will not be Eliezer but it will be from your own bowls.

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.

How was his seed to be numberless: Two ways

Physical-We see this in the childern of Israel to this day

Spiritual-We see this in the church

Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the

righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being

uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that

believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might

be imputed unto them also:

Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and

heirs according to the promises

Abram set a prime example of how to follow God. One that still stands today. Let us read verse 6

6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Righteous-in right relationship to God and His will

Romans 4:1. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining

to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to

glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it

was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that

justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Galatians 3: 6. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for

righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are

the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the

heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,

[saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

It was not by Abrams works but by his faith that he was blessed by God. How are we saved? Is it by works. What if it was who would get the credit? Does God owe us salvation? Does he owe us heaven?

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?

God again reaffirms his Covenant, his contract with Abram. I will give you this land. But Abram is like us he says I want it in writing. God how do I know what you are saying is true. Not that I don't believe you but give me a sign. We are no difference. Without the word of God we would not believe him. With out the 66 books in this Bible we would not believe God. But God has written us a promise in his word of the Savior to come agian.