Gen 15:1 | KingComments | STEP | Here begins a new part in the history of Abram. This history can be divided into three parts containing 1. in Genesis 12-14: God’s public acts with Abram; 2. in Genesis 15-21: God’s ‘private conversations’ with Abraham; 3. in Genesis 22-24: Abraham as a picture of God the Father. After his refusal to accept anything from the king of Sodom, the LORD speaks to Abram in a vision. From what He says, we can conclude that Abram needs comfort, encouragement. The LORD encourages him by saying Who He is for him. Is Abram afraid, perhaps of retribution of his defeated enemies? The LORD says unto him that he himself is his shield, his protector. Did Abram refuse goods? The LORD says to him that He Himself – not: shall be, but – is his very great reward. This is a great encouragement to anyone who refuses to have anything to do with the world. For everything we refuse for the sake of the Lord Jesus, the reward is not so much something the Lord gives us, but what He Himself is for us. For what we refuse for His sake, He Himself comes in place with all His riches. Owning the Giver is much more than owning what He gives. The Lord wants to be everything to the heart of every one who refuses the wealth of the world.

‏ Genesis 15:1

Introduction

Here begins a new part in the history of Abram. This history can be divided into three parts containing

1. in Genesis 12-14: God’s public acts with Abram;

2. in Genesis 15-21: God’s ‘private conversations’ with Abraham;

3. in Genesis 22-24: Abraham as a picture of God the Father.

Who the LORD Is for Abram

After his refusal to accept anything from the king of Sodom, the LORD speaks to Abram in a vision. From what He says, we can conclude that Abram needs comfort, encouragement. The LORD encourages him by saying Who He is for him. Is Abram afraid, perhaps of retribution of his defeated enemies? The LORD says unto him that he himself is his shield, his protector. Did Abram refuse goods? The LORD says to him that He Himself – not: shall be, but – is his very great reward.

This is a great encouragement to anyone who refuses to have anything to do with the world. For everything we refuse for the sake of the Lord Jesus, the reward is not so much something the Lord gives us, but what He Himself is for us. For what we refuse for His sake, He Himself comes in place with all His riches. Owning the Giver is much more than owning what He gives. The Lord wants to be everything to the heart of every one who refuses the wealth of the world.