Gen 15:13-21 | KingComments | STEP | As with the promise of an heir, Abram has the question of how this will happen with the promise of the inheritance. Then the LORD teaches him about the sacrifice. In picture, this means that God fulfils His promises on the basis of His Son’s sacrifice, that is, on the basis of His death. The different animals represent different aspects of the Lord Jesus and His work. The three year old young heifer represents the strength and perseverance with which the Lord Jesus accomplished His work on the cross. The goat is mainly used as a sin offering, also an important aspect of the Lord Jesus’ work, for that speaks of Him as the One Who is made sin. The ram speaks of dedication and is used in the consecration of priests. The turtle dove and the pigeon speak of Him as the heavenly Man. The cutting in two speaks of God’s wish that we reflect on all parts of the sacrifice. Chasing away the birds of prey means that we do not allow things or thoughts that prevent us from being busy with the Lord Jesus. The deep sleep that falls on Abram is the identification of Abram with the sacrifice. God wants us to see how closely we are connected to the Lord Jesus, so that we can personally say: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” ( ). Then God will be able to show us what future His people face, as He does here. Before the people will reach the glorious land, it will be oppressed first. The “smoking oven” speaks of this ( ; ). The people will be oppressed in Egypt ( ). This situation will last 400 years. But directly connected to this is the “flaming torch”, which speaks of the hope of salvation ( ; ). That the flaming torch passes between the pieces is also the confirmation of the promise (cf. ). This is always the way that God’s children must go and that the Lord Jesus also went: first suffering in this world, then glory with Him ( ). Abram will not experience that the good land is in the possession of his descendants. He lived in it as a stranger and will die in it as a stranger. But neither will he experience the misfortune that shall come upon his seed and much less he will share into it (cf. ; ). In peace and in old age he will go to his ancestors ( ). When God will delivers His people, it will mean the judgment of the oppressors. However, God will only judge when the measure of sin is full. He is patient, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” ( ).

‏ Genesis 15:13-21

The Promise Is Based on a Sacrifice

As with the promise of an heir, Abram has the question of how this will happen with the promise of the inheritance. Then the LORD teaches him about the sacrifice. In picture, this means that God fulfils His promises on the basis of His Son’s sacrifice, that is, on the basis of His death.

The different animals represent different aspects of the Lord Jesus and His work. The three year old young heifer represents the strength and perseverance with which the Lord Jesus accomplished His work on the cross. The goat is mainly used as a sin offering, also an important aspect of the Lord Jesus’ work, for that speaks of Him as the One Who is made sin. The ram speaks of dedication and is used in the consecration of priests. The turtle dove and the pigeon speak of Him as the heavenly Man.

The cutting in two speaks of God’s wish that we reflect on all parts of the sacrifice. Chasing away the birds of prey means that we do not allow things or thoughts that prevent us from being busy with the Lord Jesus. The deep sleep that falls on Abram is the identification of Abram with the sacrifice.

God wants us to see how closely we are connected to the Lord Jesus, so that we can personally say: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20a). Then God will be able to show us what future His people face, as He does here.

Before the people will reach the glorious land, it will be oppressed first. The “smoking oven” speaks of this (Gen 15:17; Deu 4:20). The people will be oppressed in Egypt (Exo 1:13). This situation will last 400 years. But directly connected to this is the “flaming torch”, which speaks of the hope of salvation (Isa 62:1; Zec 12:6). That the flaming torch passes between the pieces is also the confirmation of the promise (cf. Jer 34:18-19). This is always the way that God’s children must go and that the Lord Jesus also went: first suffering in this world, then glory with Him (Lk 24:26).

Abram will not experience that the good land is in the possession of his descendants. He lived in it as a stranger and will die in it as a stranger. But neither will he experience the misfortune that shall come upon his seed and much less he will share into it (cf. 2Kgs 22:20; Isa 57:1). In peace and in old age he will go to his ancestors (Gen 15:15).

When God will delivers His people, it will mean the judgment of the oppressors. However, God will only judge when the measure of sin is full. He is patient, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2Pet 3:9).

The Covenant with Abram

God’s covenant with Abram is without conditions. Here God describes the land in a vastness that it has not had so far, but which it will have in the realm of peace.

The land of us, Christians, is the heavenly places. God has already given us this in all its extent because we are connected to the Lord Jesus. God has given everything to Him, and we may share it with Him.