Read GENESIS 15
In the ancient Near East, covenants were sometimes sealed by a symbolic ritual. Sacrificial animals were cut in half and each party of the covenant walked between the halved pieces. The meaning was significant: if one of them did not keep their end of the covenant agreement, they should be treated like one of the severed animals.
This cultural background is important. God again reaffirmed His promises to Abram, culminating in a symbolic covenantal ceremony. But first, Abram had questions. In light of God’s promise of protection and reward, Abram wondered who would benefit, given his lack of a son and heir? God’s response was to point Abram to the stars as a symbol of the number of descendants he would have. Abram did not press the point; instead, he “believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (v. 6). Genuine questions did not preclude genuine faith.
Next, Abram offered a second question: How will he know that he will possess this land? Once again, God reaffirmed His promise, this time in dramatic fashion. He ordered Abram to obtain sacrificial animals. Abram then cut them in half and placed them on the ground. What happened next was both strange and wonderful. God Himself, represented by a smoking firepot and blazing torch, passed through the severed animal pieces. In doing so, “the LORD made a covenant with Abram” (v. 18).
The message to Abram was clear. His descendants, though facing oppression for a time, would one day possess the land. In fact, the Lord (and not Abram!) undertook the ancient covenantal cere- mony as a sign of His commitment to His promise. In other words, God put His own life on the line for this covenant with Abram!
APPLY THE WORD
Have we really understood the depths of God’s promises to Abram and to us? In fact, God has offered the life of His own Son that we might have life in Him! Find the Charles Wesley hymn “And Can It Be” and, as you sing or listen to it, note the end of the first stanza: “Amazing love! How can it be, / That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”
PRAY WITH US
Steven Mogck, executive VP and chief operating officer, welcomes your prayers today. Ask the Lord to direct him in all the decisions he makes daily at Moody and to encourage Steven and his teams with His grace and love.
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 