In yesterday’s reading our friend Abram went to war and won a mighty victory over five kings who attacked the king of Sodom. He did it with the people and resources in his own household, and with the help of God.

After this the king of Sodom must have wanted to form an alliance with Abram, so he offered to reward him. “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” (Genesis 14:21)

This was essentially an offer to join forces. If the king of Sodom did Abram a big favor now, he might obligate him to help again in the future. Also, if they formed an alliance he would fight to protect Abram’s clan.

Alliance Already Formed

Abram had already made an alliance – with God, the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. (Note the triple emphasis in reference to God.) Abram shut down the possibility of allying with any earthly power. His dependence was entirely upon God.

Abram rejected the king of Sodom’s offer and said, “With a raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth that I will accept nothing belonging to you . . . so you will never be able to say ‘I made Abram rich.’ “ Genesis 14:22-23

The Great Reward

God appeared in a vision to Abram after Abram declared his desire to ally with God Most High.

“Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield,

your very great reward.”

Genesis 15:1

God promised Abram what the king of Sodom only hinted at. Almighty God promised to be Abram’s protector and provider forever.

God Makes a Covenant

Abram had two questions for his Sovereign:

“ . . . what can you give me since . . . you have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Genesis 15:2,3

“ . . . how can I know I will gain possession [this land]?” Genesis 15:8

God did an extraordinary thing to answer Abram’s concerns. Almighty God, who can never lie, confirmed his promises to Abram with the ultimate expression of covenant. He told Abram to lay out the dead bodies of sacrificed animals. Then, as a thick and dreadful darkness fell at sunset, God put him into a deep sleep. Abram heard God speak and saw a smoking fire pot and a torch pass between the carcasses, but he could not move or participate.

In these ancient covenant ceremonies both parties passed between the animal carcasses and made promises. The dead animals symbolized the annihilation each covenant-maker should experience if they failed to keep the covenant.

Single Party Agreement

In this ceremony, God prevented Abram from making promises and bound himself alone to the covenant.

God subjected himself to annihilation if he failed to fulfill his promises, something so astounding that it can only be explained by extreme love and commitment to Abram.

And it foreshadows the death Jesus subjected himself to on the cross hundreds and hundreds of years later…for the sake of love.

Why Did God Do That?

Could God ever be annihilated? Not as far as we know, but that is not the point. The point is that God loved Abram so much that he subjected himself to a covenant ceremony that would set Abram’s troubled thoughts at ease. From then on, Abram believed God, even in impossible situations.

“Abram believed God, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

That was what God was after, the absolute faith of the man through whom he wanted do great works.

People Mess Up, God Helps Anyway

However, Abram went from that deep experience with God to his “normal” life, where he met temptation and the influence of others.  His impatient wife presented a scheme for having children that was not part of God’s plan and resulted in a son, but not the one through whom God wanted to produce Abram’s heirs.

Hagar, the Egyptian slave was not meant to the mother of Abram’s heirs, but God cared for her anyway. She fled into the desert from the abuse of her mistress and met the God Who Hears, the God Who Sees. God rescued and blessed her, and demonstrated that he is the God of all the people who seek him.

God Gets What He Wants

Before God gave Abram the promised son Isaac, he changed his name to Abraham (Father of Many), and commanded him to circumcise all of the males in the household. This sign in their bodies was a daily reminder that they and their descendants belonged to God.

What did God get in return for his covenant promises to Abraham?

He got Abraham, and through him he got to bless all the peoples of the earth.

How About You?

Which brings us to you. Do you raise your hand today and proclaim God is the Lord, God Most High and Sovereign over your life?

Our Creator God is worthy of nothing less.