Seen People

Seen People

Genesis 15: ¹⁷ And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. ¹⁸ On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying:

 

“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— ¹⁹ the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, ²⁰ the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, ²¹ the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

 

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Relating to humans is easy to GOD. Relating to GOD is sometimes difficult for humans. We don’t understand what or who HE really is. Only what HE has revealed, can we catch a glimpse of who HE is. When HE appeared to Abram, this time it was in the form of a smoking oxen. GOD reveals four SPIRITS to one of HIS disciples centuries later, one of which was “like an ox.”

 

GOD possibly passed the burning torch between the sacrificed animals, burning them up in the process. HE then made a covenant, or a promise, with Abram.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew about people who were against HIM and had plans for their demise, but in HIS time.
• GOD’s plan for Abram would be fulfilled centuries later.
• GOD’s promises transcend life as we know it.

 

By localizing the vision GOD had for Abram, you and I can catch a glimpse of how HE works. HE may provide a promise to you and me, but part of the promise may get fulfilled centuries later. The weird part about GOD is that HE sees people who despise who HE is or treat HIM irreverently by trying to make HIM into their image.

 

GOD seems to be using extreme restraint, grace and mercy on people who are blatantly doing wrong. That includes you and me. HE gives people plenty of time to turn from their ways and to believe they need the Savior, namely JESUS. GOD’s positive promises include those who confess HIM as LORD. HE also promises to take vengeance on those who do not.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD explains this vision to Moses?
• Have you ever wondered if GOD sees the wrong someone is doing to you or around you?
• Will you have peace, knowing GOD sees those who wronged you and HE will take vengeance on those who harm HIS people?

Future Foretold

Future Foretold

Genesis 15: ⁷ Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”

 

⁸ And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

 

⁹ So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” ¹⁰ Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. ¹¹ And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

 

¹² Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. ¹³ Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. ¹⁴ And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. ¹⁵ Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. ¹⁶ But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

 

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GOD reiterate HIS promise to Abram, telling him that HE was going to give his ancestors the land. Abram asked a wise question ““Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

 

My Observations

• GOD told Abram to bring HIM animals that were considered mature.
• GOD told Abram to bring different species of animals, which means they were symbols rather than food or clothing.
• GOD told Abram about the future of his descendants and his future.

 

This was the first time GOD mentioned sacrificing animals. Abram did not question the strange request, rather obeyed immediately, killed the animals, and waited. GOD carefully chose these animals, possibly to show the laws that would follow during the freeing of the people who would become captives. GOD being three in one, may also have meaning here.

 

Cows would eventually be sacrificed for purity. A scapegoat would be released into the wilderness, representing the release of sins. The dove and pigeons would become sacrifices for the poor. All of these sacrifices would point to the ultimate sacrifice, namely JESUS.

 

When nighttime hit, Abram fell into a deep sleep, possibly a supernatural sleep. He saw disturbing images that needed explanation. GOD explained Abram’s descendant’s future. Noah’s curse on Canaan led Canaan to rebel and create a movement against GOD. Egypt would enslave GOD’s people. GOD would release them and require sacrifices for sin. Abram’s future seemed bleak, BUT GOD gave him assurance.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD went into elaborate detail concerning Abram’s future to Moses?
• If you knew about your present situation, years ago, would you praise GOD or be more faithful?
• Can you remain faithful in the present, knowing GOD has a plan to prosper you?

Belief Accounted For

Belief Accounted For

Genesis 15: ⁴ And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” ⁵ Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

 

⁶ And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

 

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After hearing GOD’s promise, Abram left the land of his father just like GOD said. He did not know when GOD would show up so he kept moving. GOD then showed up. Abram was excited! But then a famine hit and he had to leave the land GOD showed him. He went to Egypt and almost had his wife taken from him. BUT GOD intervened.

 

Upon return, He had so much stuff, that him and Lot could no longer live together in peace. They separated to Lot’s demise. Abram had to rescue Lot and return the stuff to evil people. Abram said to GOD, after all this, “I still have no children.”

 

My Observations:

• Abram needed to hear from GOD when his patience was running low.
• Abram heard from GOD and immediately believed.
• GOD saw Abram’s belief and “accounted it to him for righteousness.”

 

Since GOD does not react, HE saw Abram’s belief before he was born. HE sees the same in you and me. GOD knows our heart. Unfortunately, we don’t. HE gives us free will to choose HIM and accounts for any belief we do immediately.

 

Abram’s belief needed to be renewed. When he heard from GOD, he may have felt better and was able to move forward in belief in GOD, stronger than before.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation with Abram?
• Have you ever had a moment that you needed your faith renewed?
• When GOD speaks to you through HIS word, do you immediately believe?

A Bigger Vision

A Bigger Vision

Genesis 13: ¹⁴ And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; ¹⁵ for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. ¹⁶ And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. ¹⁷ Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

 

¹⁸ Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

 

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Lot was raised by Terah, Abram’s father. He knew how to manage wealth and recognized opportunity when he saw it. Unfortunately, some of the opportunity he saw was from people who despised the LORD. Lot seemed torn between wealth and his heritage of following the LORD. When he left, GOD appeared to Abram.

 

My Observations:

• GOD could have appeared to Abram and Lot, but HE waited.
• Abram thought the first little place GOD showed him was the final place.
• Abram seemed to have so much faith, that he moved without complaining.

 

Possibly seeing that GOD had something bigger than he realized, Abram did not question GOD by asking “Why didn’t you show me this in the first place?” Lot had to leave before the bigger vision was given to Abram. Everywhere Abram looked was given to his descendants. Abram’s name would become so great that no human could ever count his descendants.

 

This meant that the vision was supernatural in nature. “I will” meant that GOD made a promise that would happen. “From the place” where Abram was, where he thought was the end of the vision, GOD showed something far greater. Abram did not have to lift a finger or try harder to have a better relationship with GOD. He just had to have faith.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD waited for Lot to leave before HE showed Abram the bigger vision?
• Are you clinging onto a circle of people who may be keeping you in a smaller vision?
• Are you willing to open your eyes to a bigger vision GOD has for you that includes you in HIS plan?