Day 18 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 11:27–15:21 (Note: we are finished with the book of Job and are returning to Genesis, during the time of Abraham)
God, Our Shield and Reward
An audio version of today's Bible study is available here
Are any of us facing confrontation at home, school, or work? Are we moving to a new area or taking on a new job? In these situations and others, we want God to be our guide, shield us from troubles, and reward our faithfulness. In today’s Bible reading, God promises Abram (whose name was later changed to Abraham) that the LORD is his shield and reward.
Abram Answers God’s Call
Abram lived in Ur of the Chaldeans (or Sumer, an ancient city in modern-day Iraq). It was a wealthy and modern city but was full of idol worship. God told Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV).
God’s directive to Abram was probably difficult for him to obey. He was born, raised, schooled, and married in the city of Ur. Then his family moved and settled in Haran, and there they prospered.
Move again? We might have questioned God’s call, but Abram didn’t. With faith in the LORD, Abram leaves with his family for a place that God will show him (he is not given a specific location).
How do We Act in Faith, so God will be our Shield and Reward?
First, we must follow God’s leadership. Some Christians say they are too old to go on a mission trip or otherwise serve the LORD. Abram started his journey when he was seventy–five. Perhaps the effects of aging hadn't yet reached him because God doesn't ask us to do what we are physically incapable of doing. However, he does call each of us to some aspect of Christian service. He also gives us spiritual gifts or abilities to complete them. What is it that the LORD wants us to do? God will help us if we are willing to follow him.
Second, we must believe God’s promises. “My word is my bond”—have we ever heard that? It's another way to say, “you can count on me to keep my promises.”
In today’s Bible reading, the LORD makes promises to Abram, and Abram believes him. God unconditionally promises Abram three things which we refer to as the Abrahamic Covenant.
- Land, specifically the land of Canaan, part of which is Israel today
- A large family which would multiply beyond numbers
- Blessings. God promises to bless his family and the entire world through him (Genesis 12:2-6). Jesus Christ would later be born in his family line, and he would die for our sins so we can have the blessings of forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (John 3:16-17, NIV).
Things didn’t look promising; Abram’s wife was barren. However, God’s word is his bond, and we can believe him even if circumstances don’t look favorable. If it were easy, would God ever do it?
Abram Fails in His Faith
Like most of us, Abram is no superhero. When there is a famine in the land, he forgets God and seeks his own salvation by going down to Egypt. There Abram lies about his beautiful wife, Sarai, calling her his sister, so they will protect and treat him with favor. When Pharaoh discovers the deception, he is angry and sends Abram out of the country. Abram goes back to Bethel, where he previously met with God. If we have strayed from him, getting back to God is what we also need to do. (more...)
Abram is Victorious in Faith
After Abram returned to Canaan, many kings fought against each other, and among the captives was Abram’s nephew, Lot. Abram acts withcourage, believing God will help him rescue his relatives. Abram rescues Lot and his possessions with only 318 trained men of his own household. Then after defeating the four kings and their armies, he puts them to flight.
Abram’s Faith is Rewarded
After the battle, Melchizedek, king of Salem, met him and blessed him. Melchizedek was also the priest of the Most High God. He is a person of otherwise unknown origins and suddenly appears to bless Abram.
Many theologians think Melchizedek is a theophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is like Jesus Christ in an eternal sense. He is “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, and remains a priest forever” (Hebrews 7:3, NIV; see also Hebrews 5:5-10; Hebrews 7:1-3). After the blessing, Abram gives him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20, NIV).
Immediately following Abram’s victory and the blessing of Melchizedek, “the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward’” (Genesis 15:1, NIV). God is the source of all lasting benefits, and we have the ultimate reward of spiritual life, peace, and blessings when we have him. (more...).
The battle was won, but how is Abram to receive the blessings of the LORD, since he and his wife Sarah are old and still childless? This is what Abram asks God. The LORD tells him he will indeed have a son, not by Eliezer, his household servant, but through his own body.
Promises Confirmed
After renewing his promise to Abram, God makes an oath to him using an ancient custom called “Passing Between the Pieces.” Accordingly, when the two parties made a covenant, they sacrificed animals and birds. Next, they laid the pieces in two parallel lines. Then, beginning at opposite points, they would walk between the pieces and meet each other in the middle of the path, thereby pledging to fulfill the contract’s obligations. Because the covenant involved cutting apart animals and birds, the ceremony was referred to as cutting a covenant.
Abram prepares the sacrifices at the Lord’s bidding and lays the pieces against themselves (Genesis 15:10). That night, a thick dreadful darkness comes upon Abram when he sleeps. In a dream, God tells him about his descendants’ terrible treatment as a foreign country enslaves them for 400 years. Afterward, the LORD promises he will deliver them from their bondage and bring them to Canaan to possess it as their own.
Then Abram sees a smoking firepot and flaming torch passing between the pieces of the sacrifices, symbolizing God’s presence. Only the LORD passes through the remains, indicating the unconditional commitment that he alone makes to Abram and his descendants.
Do we have an unconditional covenant today? Yes. Most of us are not Israelites, but we need God to deliver us from slavery. If we don't have a personal relationship with God through Jesus, we are in sins’ thick dreadful darkness, and we are in bondage, and the devil is our master.
Later in history, Jesus would be stretched onto a cross and crucified for us. In the horror of that night, God would witness the sacrifice of his only Son. He accepted his perfect sacrifice for us, and an unconditional covenant was begun. Those of us who receive Christ’s sacrifice for us, in our place, have everlasting life (John 3:16). This is a glorious unconditional covenant for every believer. Have we believed in God’s promise, which gives us eternal life? Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to save us from our sins.End Notes:
Where was Ur? The encyclopedia Britannica tells us the location: "Ur, modern Tall al-Muqayyar or Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq, important city of ancient southern Mesopotamia (Sumer), situated about 140 miles (225 km) southeast of the site of Babylon and about 10 miles (16 km) west of the present bed of the Euphrates River.
Who was Melchizek? Got Questions has the answer.
From Eden to Egypt, Leader’s Guide, Regular Baptist Press, ©2004, p.53
Learn more about Passing the Pieces Covenant here:
Discussion
Is there a particular call of God on your life? What does God call every one of his followers to do?
Do we want God to be our shield and reward? What must we do?
What is God’s unconditional covenant to Abram, and what is his unconditional promise to us?
Focus Verse
Genesis 15:1 (NIV) “The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’”
Watch a Video illustrating today's Bible lesson here. Stop at 12:34
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Abraham and Sarah have been promised a son but must wait many years for him. Perhaps we, too, are waiting on God. Learn What to do While Waiting in our Next Lesson.
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re-edited 1-18-23
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