Welcome to Lesson 44, where we embark on a fascinating exploration of a pivotal moment in the Bible – the institution of the Abrahamic Covenant.
In the Book of Genesis, this divine covenant marks a significant turning point in the biblical narrative, setting the stage for the future of God’s chosen people.
Through the life of Abraham, a man of unwavering faith, we witness the establishment of a covenant that promises blessings, descendants, and land for his descendants.
This lesson 44: Abrahamic Covenant instituted will delve into the historical context, the divine promises, and the enduring significance of the Abrahamic Covenant, shedding light on its profound impact not only on the biblical narrative but also on the history of faith and the world at large.
Lesson 44: Abrahamic Covenant Instituted
A covenant is defined as a legal contract into which one enters and by which one’s course of action is bound. Covenants are made between an individual and another (1 Samuel 18:3); between a group of individuals and another (Genesis 26:28); between one nation and another (Exodus 34:12,15), or between God and man (Genesis 17:4,7).
The scriptures contain some major covenants made by God with man: (1) Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-14), (2) Palestinian covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), (3) Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:10-16), (4) Conditional covenant (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 28:1-68); (5) The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-40).
The Abrahamic covenant is our focus of study this week. It is a covenant of promises between God and Abram. In this covenant, we see two things.
Firstly, a general assurance of God’s kindness and goodwill to Abram. Secondly, a particular declaration concerning his future in two areas: one, that He will multiply his children. Two, that He will give him Canaan for an inheritance, the
THE TIME OF COVENANT (Genesis 15:1; 2 Peter 3:9).
This covenant was made with Abram after he had helped in rescuing his nephew, neighbors, and friends from their enemies for no price nor reward (Genesis) 14:13-24), God saw Abram’s generosity and his total dependence on Him for prosperity.
He never wanted to owe his blessings to man but God, so He said to him in a vision, “…Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding reward”.
Abram’s total dependence on God for reward must have been informed by his trust, faith, and contentment in God’s promise. “…And I will make thee a great nation and thou shall be a blessing… in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3).
At the time God made this covenant with Abram, there were no visible signs that those promises would come to pass, but he never wavered.
If we today trust God for His promises concerning us, no matter how remote their fulfillment may be, He will come right on time to comfort us and make good His promises. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise…” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s promises will come to pass but at the time appointed by Him.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak and not though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely cone, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3).
SUPPLICATION THAT OCCASIONS GODLY COVENANT
(Genesis 15:2,3; 2 Samuel 7:1-11).
Abram’s repeated supplication to God was what gave occasion to the covenant. His pleas were: that he had no child and that he was not likely to have any, “seeing I go childless”(Genesis 15:2).
Moreover, the servant in his house may end up being his heir, and to him, all will amount to nothing if he has no child. Abram here is seen as crying to God and not complaining to God. Crying to God is scriptural.
It amounts to putting God in remembrance of His word (Isaiah 43:26) and being persistent in praying (Luke 18:1-8). Complaining to God, on the other hand, amounts to blaming God, doubting and distrusting Him. Abram’s choice of words as he cried to God in no way connotes doubt. This is how we are expected, as God’s children, to approach God when things go contrary to God’s promises for us. We should not in any way blame or condemn God. When we do this, we sin against Him.
PROMISED BLESSING OF THE COVENANT (Genesis) 15:4,5; 13:14-17; 17:1-14; 22:15-18; 2 Samuel 7:11- 16).
The promises contained in God’s covenant with Abram are as follows: His name shall be great. A great nation shall come out of him.
Through him shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Palestine is given forever to his seed. His seed shall be a multitude like the dust of the earth.
Whosoever blessed him shall be blessed, and whosoever cursed him shall be cursed. He would be made a father of many nations. Kings shall proceed out of him.
The covenant shall be everlasting. The land of Canaan shall be his everlasting possession. God would be a God to him and his seed. He shall possess the gate of his enemies. In his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Long life shall be his portion.
Abram believed God for all these promises and it was counted to him for righteousness. If faith in God’s promises was counted by Abram for righteousness, our faith in the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ also justifies us. All believers are justified by faith as Abram was, and we are all partakers of his blessings (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-9).
ASSURANCE OF INHERITANCE GIVEN TO ABRAM
(Genesis 15:7-11). God told Abram in verse seven of our text that He would give him the land of Canaan to inherit. Abram desired a sign: “Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” (Genesis 15:8).
This does not mean Abram was unbelieving, but rather he wanted the sign to be stored up in memory against the hour of temptation. God, in response, directed him to prepare for a sacrifice, intending by that to give a sign, and Abram did according to how he was directed (Genesis 15:9-11) even when he knew not how it was going to be. This was another mark of obedience in him.
All he did was according to the ceremony used in confirming covenants (Jeremiah 34:18,19). After doing all, there was a long delay before God appeared to accept this sacrifice. Abram waited patiently with expectations being raised.
While waiting, the fowls came upon the carcasses to eat them up. Abram drove them away. This also applies to us when vain thoughts like fowls perch upon our sacrifices that are to cause distraction in our faith, we should drive them away and wait on God without distraction.
GOD’S PURPOSE CONCERNING THE COVENANT SEED (Genesis 15:12-16; Exodus 1:11; 12:40,41).
When the sun was going down at about the time of the evening oblation, God made a deep sleep to fall on Abram, and a horror of great darkness fell upon him (Genesis 15:12).
The Lord made the deep sleep fall upon Abram so that in his subconscious state, God would easily speak to him. It was in this state that the horror of great darkness that came with the sleep was to bring him to a holy reverence and holy fear. The prediction then came about what would happen to the covenant seed.
“Know ye for a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four hundred years” (Genesis 15:13).
The fact that the covenant seed was to be strangers in a land before getting to the promised land implies that the heirs of heaven are strangers on earth. This then should tell us that it is wisdom for us not to lay our treasures on earth but in heaven.
While in the strange land, the Lord said they should suffer “…and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them” (Genesis) 15:13; Exodus 1:11).
This is true for believers as, before heaven, persecution and hardship here on earth are sure to come. As four hundred years of predicted affliction of Abram’s seed in the strange land shall come to pass, and they, at last, will get to the promised land, so also, no matter how long our suffering here on earth may take, it shall pass one day, and we shall enter at last into the eternal rest of the Lord in heaven (Revelation 14:13).
For consolation, God told Abram that those who afflict his seed will not go unpunished (Genesis 15:14). God wants all believers also consoled that He will avenge all who persecute them.
Abram would not witness the affliction of his seed. He would have gone to rest with his fathers in peace and that will be in good old age. Three lessons can be learned from here.
First, true heaven-bound believers are not exempted from death. Second, good men are favored by being taken away so that they might not witness evil (Isaiah 57:1). Third, God’s promise of satisfying his people with a long life is sure (Psalm 91:16).
RATIFICATION OF THE COVENANT (Genesis 15:17- 21). The sign that Abram requested was given.
“And it came to pass that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces”(Genesis 15:17).
The smoking furnace means affliction of Abram’s seed in Egypt, while the burning lamp denotes comfort in their affliction and direction in the smoke.
The burning lamp gives light, and light denotes deliverance out of a furnace. The passing of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp between the sacrifices was the ratification of the covenant made with Abram. There is ample evidence of God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. God’s covenants with man are made with sacrifice.
Psalm fifty verse five says: “Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice,” “…For even Christ, our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7b). Christ is the sacrifice for the salvation covenant made with man.
God, in verses eighteen to twenty-one of our text, rehearsed the promise of Canaan to Abram. He described the extent of the land. This is a reaffirmation that God’s promises are as good as being at hand.
Heaven is our Canaan. No man can describe how big it is but Christ said “…in my Father’s house there are many mansions” to accommodate all that make it to heaven. Strive hard to enter. The Abrahamic covenant applies to all who have faith in Christ. Give your life to Him today and have a full portion of Abram’s blessings.
Personal Questions
1(a) What is a covenant?
(b) Mention three known covenants that God made with man in the scriptures.
2(a) What lesson do we learn from Abram’s refusal to receive the physical reward from his neighbors?
(b)What shall be our reward if we trust fully in God’s words?
3. In what manner are we supposed to make our supplication known to God?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoYikOlqblw&pp=ygUSQWJyYWhhbWljIENvdmVuYW50
Conclusion
In conclusion, the institution of the Abrahamic Covenant stands as a cornerstone in the biblical story, representing the timeless promises of God and the enduring legacy of faith.
Through Abraham’s unwavering trust and obedience, we see a profound example of faith in action, and through the covenant itself, we glimpse the divine commitment to guide and protect God’s chosen people.
As we have explored the historical and theological dimensions of this covenant in Lesson 44, it is evident that its impact transcends the pages of scripture. It has influenced the beliefs and convictions of countless individuals and played a significant role in shaping the course of history.
