[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 15
1 The reassurance of this verse seems at first out of place. Abram has just had a tremendous victory, defeating four kings who had already beat up on five other kings. Yet, how typical is this! In the wake of great success, when the adrenalin finally wears off, we often plunge into a low where, instead of focusing on all that God has just done, we focus on the things he has not done yet. Abram moved to Canaan on the promise that God would make [him] into a great nation, bless him, make [his] name great, and make him a conduit for blessing to all the peoples on earth (12:2-3). In Gen 13, Abram and Lot separated because they were so blessed in material possessions, and in Gen 14, Abram made a name for himself and blessed all the peoples by defeating the four kings who had just defeated the five kings. That is, three of the four promises were now realized. Yet, how could God make [Abram] into a great nation if he had no children? It makes sense, then, that fear set in. By this point, it had been years since Abram packed up and left Haran. Now, Abram was afraid he would never have a child, and the one outstanding promise would never be fulfilled. He was afraid God and the whole blessing was a figment of his imagination. He was afraid everything he had given up and done was for naught. To this, God said, Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield; your reward will be very great. The KJV renders this portion of the verse I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. The NIV2011 and NKJV agree, and this alternative is better in that it makes clear that the ultimate reward for Abram’s faithfulness was not having a child and becoming a great nation (12:2). Rather, the ultimate reward for Abram’s faithfulness was the blessing that was enjoying the presence and favor of God. Too many times, we focus on the what of the promise and forget the who. God may grant us many things for our faithfulness, but the biggest, best, and most important thing of them all is himself.
The CSB’s translation of very great is rather understated. The phrase could actually be translated exceedingly[32] exceedingly.[33] Both terms represent superabundance and overflowing greatness. As is often the case in Scriptures, the author utilizes two synonymous words as a way to reinforce and emphasize the point. Fellowship with God is not some basic reward. His presence in our lives is not even a great reward. Rather, a thriving relationship with God is an exceedingly exceedingly reward. Never take that for granted!
2-3 Abram’s response is typical. Three of the four components of God’s promise in 12:1-3 have been realized, but he focuses on the one still outstanding.
If there was no natural heir in an ancient household, the inheritance passed to the head servant. In this case, that is Eliezer of Damascus.
4-5 After the events of chapters 13-14, there was only one outstanding portion of God’s promise to Abram in 12:1-3. Now, years after that promise was first issued, God reiterated it. His intention had not changed: Abram would have a child so that one who comes from your own body will be your heir, and through that child, Abram’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
6 This verse is key! It is tempting to think Abram was righteous because of the things he had done to this point. That is, he had obediently left Haran for Canaan and protected the vulnerable. However, it was not the stuff Abram had done that made him righteous. Rather, it was the belief that drove what he did. Abram believed the Lord. Even now, years after God first issued the promise that Abram would have a child, even as he and his wife grew older every day, Abram remained steadfast in his faith. This is what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians 2:8-10, For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s give – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. We do good works not so that we can be saved but because we are saved.
7 In Genesis 13:14-17, God first mentioned that Abram was not to be just another resident of the Promised Land. There, he said I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see. Now, he reiterated that promise, reassuring Abram that God was about to give you this land to possess as his own.
8-21 The progression of this passage is interesting. Abram believed the Lord in verse 6, but now, he asked, how can I know that I will possess [the land]? At first glance, it seems like another question of doubt, but it was actually Abram’s faith that prompted him to seek confirmation of God’s will. He was ready and willing to continue forward with God. He just needed to know he was moving in the right direction. In response, God instructed him to bring… a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. Abram must have thought these creatures would be part of some ritual to discern God’s will. Such things were common among the pagans surrounding him. Yet, after he cut them in half, and laid the pieces opposite each other as would be expected in one of those pagan rituals, nothing happened. Nothing continued to happen until birds of prey came down on the carcasses. Instead of God claiming and protecting the offering for himself, Abram drove [the birds] away. That is, nothing continued to happen until sunset, when a deep sleep came over Abram, and suddenly great terror and darkness descended on him. Both terror and darkness are ominous things suggesting that, as Abram waited for the sign of the Lord, things actually grew worse for him. The fear of vss 1-2 surged when nothing spectacular happened immediately, but that may be exactly the point. God told Abram to bring the offering, and so he did. Often, the way we know for sure what God wants for us is to take that next step of obedience. And then we wait in obedience. And yes, things might actually grow worse for a moment, but the key is continued obedience. In fact, it is only after Abram obediently took that next step and waited that God revisited him.
13-16 Before God provided a tangible sign to confirm everything he had said, he actually expanded upon the promise, fleshing out the winding route Abram’s offspring would take to claim God’s promise. It must have been discouraging for Abram to hear that his descendants would be enslaved and oppressed in a foreign land. Yet, the promise was that in the fourth generation they will return here and be established in their own land. God’s promises are often not intended for immediate fulfillment. If that was the intent, then there would be no reason or room for faith.
17-21 Finally, God provides a tangible sign in the form of a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch that appeared and passed between the divided animals. This was a clear supernatural occurrence which Abram certainly interpreted as the confirming sign he was looking for.
[32] “H3966 – mᵊ’ōḏ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv)”, n.d.
[33] “H7235 – rāḇâ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv)”, n.d.