READ GENESIS 15
This section elaborates on the preceding one in which Abram, triumphant in battle, appropriately acknowledged the praise due to God. He recalls God's consistent faithfulness to him thus far, and this passage commences with God appearing to him in a vision, reassuring him of God's ongoing dedication to him. Throughout this entire segment, God formally solidifies His covenant with Abram, reiterating his pledge of numerous descendants, likening them to the stars in the sky (the reason we still sing "Father Abraham" to this day).
Despite having heard similar promises before, Abram may have found all of this still implausible, right? He and his wife were elderly and childless, with God assuring him of becoming a father to a nation. It would have been understandable for Abram to question God; we often question promises that seem more probable than what God was guaranteeing Abram. However, verse 6 reveals key insight into Abram's character: Abram believed in the Lord, and this righteousness was accounted to him.
Abram placed his trust in God, believing in God's true nature. He had faith. Verse 6 is so significant that James and Paul both referenced it in the New Testament as a foundational belief of the faith: God accepts us through His grace and our faith. Additionally, God presents Abram with a vision of future events for his people while Abram is in a deep slumber. The outlook is not entirely positive and includes challenging times ahead. Nevertheless, just as He always has, God will once again deliver His people because of His reliability and faithfulness to His promises.
QUESTIONS
1. Can you observe Abram's reaction to God in this section? How does God respond to Abram?
2. Are you good at meditating on God's faithfulness? Or do you tend to overlook and question God's goodness as time goes by?
3. What insights do you gain about God in verse 6? What is the theological importance of this verse?