v.1-11
1. Context
v.1 After these things the word of the LORD’s message came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the one who will reward you in great abundance.”
This is a continuation of the last chapter where Abram defeated the 4 kings and refused to take any possession from king Sodom. Now, God told Him that He is his shield and He would reward him. The rest of this chapter is talking about the reward v.2 Sovereign LORD, what will you give me ?
NET-Abram has just rejected all the spoils of war, and the LORD promises to reward him in great abundance. In walking by faith and living with integrity he cannot lose.
2. R.W. children, heir, son, descendants v.2-5
3 Abram added, “Since you have not given me a descendant, then look, one born in my house will be my heir!”
4 But look, the the LORD’s message came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but instead a son who comes from your own body will be your heir.”
(NAC) Although God had enriched him already (13:2; 24:35), he promised to multiply Abram’s assets. This prompts the patriarch to pursue with God the unfulfilled promise of a son and numerous descendants. His many possessions are of little consequence if there is no family heir.
NET-The disjunctive draws attention to God’s response and the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, translated “look”) mirrors Abram’s statement in v. 3 and highlights the fact that God responded to Abram.
God corrected Abram's view about the promise.
2. The interesting part of this reward is that it is something not being seen now and it is almost impossible to have from the human point of view. 6 Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD credited it as righteousness to him.
NET-The perfect with vav conjunctive (where one expects the preterite with vav consecutive) in narrative contexts can have a variety of discourse functions, but here it probably serves to highlight Abram’s response to God’s promise...In the Hiphil, the form used here, it takes on a declarative sense: “to consider something reliable [or “dependable”].” Abram regarded the God who made this promise as reliable and fully capable of making it a reality.
Even though his view of the promise was different than what God said, God took God's view of the promise. The way God saw the promise was almost impossible from human's angle, but he considered God as reliable.
3. However, even though Abram believed God is reliable to give him the descendants, he asked for a confirmation for the promise of the possession of the land v.7. 8 But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, by what can I know that I am to possess it?”
WBC-To ask for a sign does not imply unbelief or any conflict with v 6 (cf. Judg 6:36–40; 2 Kgs 20:8–11). On the contrary, to refuse a proffered sign can indeed demonstrate lack of faith (Isa 7:10–14). On signs, cf. Gen 9:12–13.
Conclusion and Summary: The leaving of hometown, the defeating of the enemies, the giving of the son, the trial of having another son, and the final taking away of the son was a journey of Abram's faith. God does not just want Abram to stay in step 1. He rewards Abram when he finished a stage. In this reward God pushed Abram to another level-to believe in someone unseen (like the previous stage about leaving the hometown)+it is almost impossible to get.
From my journey of cancer, more and more God wants me to rely on Him. Just want I felt like a boulder had fell off my shoulder when the ultrasound confirmed that I am stage II, the next day Mike caught a cold. The next step is: continue my journey and trust in God?
v.12-21
1. Two words are emphasized
v.13 ..."Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign country. They will be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. 14 But I will execute judgment on the nation that they will serve...
The covenant was not just a gift that the giver did not care about you. He is the Protector even before the gift being given was possessed by the receiver. The plan of giving was explained.
Abram (and his descendants) needed to know because they may have doubt about the promise when they were in oppression in the foreign country. Trust what God said. In His sovereignty, he already knew that they would be there and being oppressed, yet He would not just abandoned them. He Himself would execute judgement on that nation on that they would later on come out with many possessions.
Reflection: No matter what cause my cancer, God knows and He promise not to abandon me. He knew that doubt may arise and therefore in the Bible He had already told me. He Himself will know what to do and will guide me through.
2. Starting time of the covenant was set by the LOD
16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit.”
NET The sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit. The justice of God is apparent. He will wait until the Amorites are fully deserving of judgment before he annihilates them and gives the land to Israel.
God is both sovereign and justice. He was able to give the land to Abram right there, but He did not do that.
3. Reflection: Than God that He does not deal with us as our sins deserve; he does not repay us as our misdeeds deserve (Ps 103:10). I'm sure the sufferings I have was not in proportion to what I deserve for my sins. And therefore, I shall not see sufferings as a result of my sins. He treats me with grace and mercy.
4. Questions
1) v.1
2) His many possessions are of little consequence if there is no family heir.
3) Abram regarded the God who made this promise as reliable and fully capable of making it a reality.
4) v.18, Israel today has not occupied the whole territory yet
5) v.14b-16 Exodus from Egypt, Abram enjoyed good old age, and his descendants would be back to the Promised land, v.18
6) regarded the God who made this promise as reliable and fully capable of making it a reality
Comments