The Devotional Journey: Bible Reading 10

Yahweh makes a covenant with Abraham

Read Genesis 15:1–21.

In Genesis 14, Abram had rescued Lot who had been captured when he was caught up in the midst of a tribal battle between two warring factions, with four kings fighting against five. Perhaps Abraham was concerned there would be a counterattack for here in Genesis 15, Yahweh reassured Abram that He would continue to protect Abram and provide abundantly for him. But Abram pointed out that He remained childless. Whatever wealth God blessed Abram with would not benefit his family since he still had no children! Instead, the wealth would be passed to Eliezer, his chief servant, when he died.

But Yahweh reassured Abram that He would provide a son as He had promised. And to prove He was very serious about this, God instructed Abram to bring a set of animals and cut them in half. Yahweh was going to sign a contract, or covenant, with Abram, by following the common custom of the time. God asked Abram to cut the animals in half (but not the birds as they were too small) and then to arrange them over a trench so that the animals’ blood flowed into the trench. Then the parties of the contract would sign it by walking in the blood, between the animal halves.

The oath they were making was this: “May I also be cut in half like these animals if I fail to keep my promises in this contract.”

In this case, the promises were the ones Yahweh had made to Abram of land, descendants and that his family would be a worldwide blessing to all the nations. Only God “walked” between the animal halves by sending a smoking firepot and flaming torch to represent His glory down the trench. Abram didn’t move as Yahweh had put him into a deep sleep. But in a vision, Abram saw God “sign” this contract.

Yahweh was officially promising to fulfil His promises to Abram through a formal contract. God was putting Himself under a curse if He failed to deliver. God wanted Abram to be very confident that He would fulfil all the promises, particularly the one about having descendants.

What kind of God is this who would inconvenience Himself by placing Himself under contract? He is the God who wants people to know Him and His character, and by knowing Him well, to be able to trust all His words and promises. That’s why He was willing to let His actions be monitored through a contract.

This contract that Yahweh signed has become known as the Abrahamic Covenant. It is called an unconditional contract because only Yahweh signed it, meaning He is the only One with promises to fulfil. Yahweh placed no conditions on Abram and his descendants to do anything or meet any criteria before He would fulfil the covenant promises. This was very reassuring for it meant that the promises of the covenant would not depend on Abram or his descendants’ behaviour.

This covenant was very important, not just for Abram, but for the whole world too. Why? Because, God had promised to deliver a worldwide blessing through Abram and his family. We will see when God reveals more, that this worldwide blessing includes the Saviour of the world, Jesus, who would come as a descendant of Abram. So it is critical that Yahweh’s covenant promises can be relied upon because all of mankind is dependent on God fulfilling His plan for the world.

How well do we know God? Do we know what His character is like? Do we know if He can be trusted? For example, Jesus says in John 6:47, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.” Are we able to be believe His words?

God wants us to have confident answers to these questions, so He recorded His historical actions and words so we can get to know Him well. When we read His Word carefully and learn about Him, we will be able to trust Him and the promises He makes to us. So let’s strive to get to know God better through His Word.