Genesis 15 – February 1

The covenant that the Lord makes with Abram in Genesis is truly one of the most significant events in all of human history. It is not an overstatement to say that this is possibly the most important chapter in terms of redemptive history in the Old Testament.

In order to understand what is going on, it is really helpful to know some of the ancient customs that were during this period of history. The setup of the animals that the Lord commands Abram to prepare is not unique to Genesis. This was a practice that was known as a Suzerain/Vassal Covenant. These covenants (or treaties) were typically made between a great king of a large region and a small ruler or head of a household. The Suzerain (or ruler) would set the terms of the agreement and the vassal (the subordinate) would be required to agree. The terms were typically designed by the Suzerain to extract wealth or livestock from the Vassal in exchange for a promise that the Suzerain wouldn’t raid, pillage, or plunder them. Think of it as a hybrid of a mafia shakedown and government-levied taxes. The Suzerain and the Vassal would agree to the terms and then walk together between the carcasses of animals that had been split from nose to tail. This was designed to symbolize the violent repercussions of breaking the covenant. This is why the actual language of covenant creation is to “cut a covenant.”

By commanding Abram to prepare the animals for a treaty, the Lord was setting the stage for this incredible promise in a language that Abram culturally understood. Being that he was a great and aged man with significant wealth and connections, this was probably not the first time that Abram had prepared animals like this and cut a covenant with someone. However, this covenant was different than any other in history for several reasons.

1. The greater party was always responsible for setting the terms. That holds true. But, notice that the terms of this covenant are not designed to benefit the greater party, but the lesser party. That is incredibly unusual. You might ask yourself, “What does God get out of this deal?” God is promising to give benefits and blessings and asking for nothing for Himself.

2. Covenants were typically designed to end with the death of those who made them. This covenant was made by an eternal God who could ensure that the blessings were guaranteed to Abram’s offspring forever.

3. Just like many contracts now, covenants were often created with contingency clauses. For example, “if one of your daughters marries one of my sons when they are older, this covenant will become void and we will find a new arrangement.” This was important because once a covenant was ratified in blood, it could not be changed until somebody died. God never deals with contingencies, possibilities, risks, or plan-b’s. Not only did God not provide any opt-out clause or culmination date, He also told Abram exactly what would happen to his family over the next four hundred years. 

4. Perhaps the strangest event in Abram’s very storied life was what he saw the night this covenant was made by the Lord. Verse 17 tells us, “...behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.” I won’t pretend that I fully understand the imagery of these items passing between the pieces. Being that the text clarifies that this occurred when it was dark outside, we are probably intended to understand it as Abram seeing these objects carried by two different parties through the carcasses, but only the lit objects were visible. This detail is one of the most significant in the entire chapter. Abram didn’t walk through the pieces. God alone walked through the pieces. This means that God alone was responsible to carry out the terms of the covenant.

5. And the wonderful news of the gospel is that God has fulfilled this covenant. He did provide Abram the offspring that was promised. Paul explains how this covenant that the Lord made to Abram is now something that we too can enjoy. “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ.” (Gal. 3:16) Do you see what this means? How is it that Gentiles (like most of those reading this document) are able to receive the blessings promised to Abram and his offspring? Because Christ is the promised offspring. If we are in Christ, if we have been united with Him by faith, we too are roped into the incredible covenantal love of God.