“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16 ESV
διαθηκη
~diathēkē (Greek)- Covenant, a disposition, i.e. a contract (especially a will).
~The Hebrew word for covenant derives from a root which means "to cut" and hence a covenant is a "cutting”. (rest of the definition given later)
~The Hebrew word for covenant derives from a root which means "to cut" and hence a covenant is a "cutting”. (rest of the definition given later)
Genesis 15:1-21
~In Chapter 12 we have Abram being called out by the Lord to leave everything that was familiar to him and go to a land that he had never seen before. In Chapter 15 we have the Lord contacting Abram in a vision.
~Verses 1-5 we have the practical Abram wondering just who his heir would be because he was already almost 90 years old and (to say frankly) there was no way he could have any kids of his own. Abram thought that maybe he could “help” the promise out by suggesting a plausible heir to the promise but Yahweh would have none of that.
~Verses 1-5 we have the practical Abram wondering just who his heir would be because he was already almost 90 years old and (to say frankly) there was no way he could have any kids of his own. Abram thought that maybe he could “help” the promise out by suggesting a plausible heir to the promise but Yahweh would have none of that.
The Promise
~Sometimes a vocal reminder is not enough, having a visual example helps to reinforce the lesson. When Abram is brought out and told to count the stars it provided a great visual for just how numerous his descendants would be.
~That brings us to the target verse-
~Uwierzył tedy Panu, i poczytano mu to ku sprawiedliwości. Rodzaju 15:6 (Polish Language)
~And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 ESV
~That brings us to the target verse-
~Uwierzył tedy Panu, i poczytano mu to ku sprawiedliwości. Rodzaju 15:6 (Polish Language)
~And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 ESV
The Covenant Entered
~Verses 7-11 may look very strange but that’s only because they are. Any guesses as to what is going on here? A bunch of animals chopped in half and placed apart from each other does sound weird but let me give you the rest of the definition of covenant:
~(Covenant is a cutting) this is a reference to the ancient custom of cutting or dividing animals into two parts with the contracting parties passing between them.
~But as we read through the rest of the chapter we see that although both parties were required to walk through the animals to sign a covenant, we find that it is only Yahweh who walks through (in the form of a fire pot) in order to show that the covenant is all on God’s side- not Abram’s.
~(Covenant is a cutting) this is a reference to the ancient custom of cutting or dividing animals into two parts with the contracting parties passing between them.
~But as we read through the rest of the chapter we see that although both parties were required to walk through the animals to sign a covenant, we find that it is only Yahweh who walks through (in the form of a fire pot) in order to show that the covenant is all on God’s side- not Abram’s.
Genesis 16:1-16
~Earlier Abram tried to “help” by suggesting that Eliezer would be his heir but he was told that a physical son would be born to him.
~Next when his doubting wife thinks that it’s impossible for her to have children she gives Hagar to her hubby and Abram tries to “help” again by having a son through Hagar.
~Sarai brings upon Hagar’s contempt on herself by not trusting in the master plan and not believing in the power of God. Notice that when Hagar is in trouble God promises to help her and multiply her son’s offspring as well.
~The offspring of Hagar are a modern people still living with us today: the Muslims.
~Next when his doubting wife thinks that it’s impossible for her to have children she gives Hagar to her hubby and Abram tries to “help” again by having a son through Hagar.
~Sarai brings upon Hagar’s contempt on herself by not trusting in the master plan and not believing in the power of God. Notice that when Hagar is in trouble God promises to help her and multiply her son’s offspring as well.
~The offspring of Hagar are a modern people still living with us today: the Muslims.
Genesis 17:1-14
~How old was Abram when Ishmael was born?
~(hint- it was the last verse of chapter 16)
~86 years old. Now Abram is the young age of 99. It has been 13 years since Ishmael’s birth- talk about a wait.
If you want to talk about a wait how old was Abram when he left Ur for the Promised Land?
~75. So in total it’s been 24 years of waiting for his promised son. The extra wait might have to do with Abram being so quick to “help” though.
~Circumcision is adopted as the “sign” of the covenant- it is to be an outward expression of an inward change.
Does this relate to anything that we do here in the modern age as Christians?
~(hint- it was the last verse of chapter 16)
~86 years old. Now Abram is the young age of 99. It has been 13 years since Ishmael’s birth- talk about a wait.
If you want to talk about a wait how old was Abram when he left Ur for the Promised Land?
~75. So in total it’s been 24 years of waiting for his promised son. The extra wait might have to do with Abram being so quick to “help” though.
~Circumcision is adopted as the “sign” of the covenant- it is to be an outward expression of an inward change.
Does this relate to anything that we do here in the modern age as Christians?
Old vs. New
~The Old Testament sign of circumcision is very similar to the New Testament practice of Baptism- but the main difference is that ALL Jews born into the covenant were circumcised at birth whereas Baptism is meant to be a sign for those who are old enough to choose to believe.