A STUDY IN GENESIS
Today, we start Genesis chapter 15, and we see something rather marvelous and critical for us to understand. We see a promise of a future salvation, and that promise comprises the very salvation that we have today. We today have faith that Jesus Christ’s actions were enough for us, that we are saved purely because of what He did on the cross. Abram does the same thing, but with future respect. He is promised that a savior would come. He is promised it would come through his very own lineage.
Genesis 15:1-6 “Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” 2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” 6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Let’s break it down!
God initiates the relationship. Let not this little thing slip past you. God is the one who initiates, not us. We can do nothing, whereas He can do all and is the only one who can initiate our salvation. God promises a blessing and to protect him. There are those who might see this in a physical sense only but fail to recognize that God is talking to Abram in the eternal spiritual realm. Chapter 14 already revealed that Abram was a capable warrior and able to protect himself and his family; however, God was going to provide more than just physical protection but the eternal security that only He can provide. Abram needed a savior and knew this; God was promising to protect him and save him. We see the sign of such a promise through his lineage. I find it interesting that God takes Abram outside to help him understand the magnitude of such a promise. Abram would be the father of the Jews and other people groups. Yet, Abram, through the lineage of Jesus Christ, is the father of us who are saved. The stars are this count. But what makes this even more incredible is that this is when Abram places his faith in God in the redemptive power. Abram was already listening to God, he was already following God, in fact, he was already being a Godly man in his actions with his family and even those he did not like. Abram was a good man, but to God this was nothing. God counts Abram righteous when Abram believes Him about protecting him. What an incredible moment of showing salvation is not by works, but by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing has changed in the Old Testament and the New Testament; only Jesus Christ can save you. As we continue in the book, we will see more eternal promises made by God to us. Let us rejoice and know He is pure and unchanging in how He deals with you and I.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL