Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we learned, that Abram was not only a man of faith, but a man who wasn't afraid to go to war for the ones that he loved.

The Sacred Record revealed that Abram would end up doing battle with Chedorlaomer and his revolutionaries, in order to save his nephew Lot.

We also saw, that not only would Abram end up rescuing Lot -- but in the process, he ended up, stopping the rebellion of Chedorlaomer and his revolutionaries.

And because of Abram's great victory, we find that the Sodom king would come out and meet with Abram, in order to show his appreciation.

After all, it was the Sodom king and his allies, who'd been defeated -- by Chedorlaomer and his revolutionaries earlier.

But the Sodom king wouldn't be the only king, who would come and show his appreciation to Abram, for we also find, that a a mysterious king and priest, who'd went by the name Melchizedek -- would come out and meet with him as well.

However, we've now reached a point from within our journey, where we find -- that after all that Abram had accomplished up to this point, when it came to his walk with the Lord, the Sacred Record reveals -- that he has started to reflect on the future of his household.

Now personally, I can't help but to wonder, when one thinks about the thoughts -- that Abram was now having in his life? For I often wonder, if these thoughts (when it came to the future of his household) if they were an indication of some sort, which revealed, that Abram was falling in a state of sorrow, that affected him both mentally and spiritually?

Now the reason why I'm making this claim, deals with the fact, that the Lord had begun to take notice of Abram's spiritual and mental state. And because of these new concerns that Abram was having, we find that the Lord reaches out to him: "Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." the Lord would remind Abram, in a vision.

And after hearing what the Lord had to say, Abram replied: "O Sovereign Lord, what more can you give to me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is my personal servant Eliezer of Damascus? You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." -- Genesis 15:2,3

Now, after hearing what Abram had to say, the Lord instructs him to go outside, and when Abram goes outside, the Lord would speak these words to him: "Eliezer of Damascus will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.' Then He brought him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring will be.'" -- Genesis 15:4,5

Now after hearing what the Lord had said, we find that Abram -- now had renewed confidence, when it came to the future of his household, for he believed what God had told and showed him. Know that Abram's new found reassurance, must have flooded his heart with great joy, for the Lord would credit Abram's faith unto Him, as being righteousness:

"It was not through the law that Abram and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." -- (Romans 4:13)

Next, we find God telling Abram: "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it." And after hearing this, Abram would ask God for type of sign: "O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"

Now after hearing this, God will tell Abram: "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a pigeon." So Abram went out, and retrieved the animals that God had asked him to bring to Him. And after Abram had returned, he began arranging the animals for the Lord. Know that the: heifer, goat, and ram -- he cut in two, and arranged them, to be in opposite halves of each other. Now when it came to the birds, Abram did not cut in half, but he left them whole.

Now as we move forward, we would find that later that evening as the sun was setting, Abram had fallen into a deep sleep, and after doing so, a thick and dreadful darkness had fallen over him. And it would be at this time, that the Lord would speak to Abram as he slept:

"Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions. You however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." -- Genesis 15:13-16

Now let's take a closer look at what God had just revealed to Abram while he was sleeping:

Understand that the land God is referring to, deals with both Canaan and Egypt. Know that it will be between, both these two kingdoms, that Israel will end up being at one point, strangers -- and at another point, slaves. Also keep in mind, that from this point forward, God is basically announcing the remaining time that Abram and his seed had left, when it came to being strangers, and eventually slaves, in a land that they couldn't call their own.

Now when it comes to these 400 years that God had told Abram about? Know that these years, dealt with a period from within the history of Israel, that wouldn't be served out, as a curse. But instead, they will be served out, as a blessing. Also take note of this part of the passage: "But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions."

Know that God is referring to the "ten judgement plagues" that later on, would be brought against the Egyptians -- during the days of Moses. And to somewhat prove, that this 400 year period of suffering, was not a curse -- but instead, a blessing? The passage also reveals, that Israel -- will come out of Egypt, with great wealth.

Now, it's also at this point, that we find God telling Abram -- that he will not see, or endure -- the hardships, and great rewards, of his people. But instead, he will live a: good, long, and prosperous life. Now when it comes to the trials and suffering that Abram will see his people going through as he looks down from Paradise? God reassures him, that this will be a temporary situation for them.

What this basically means, is that the Amorites who were now inhabits the land that God had promised Israel -- had just been placed on notice. Understand that the Amorites were a civilization, that had the reputation of being both strong, and prominent. Also know, that they'd dwelled within the land of Canaan. But they knew not the Lord, and they were serving pagan idols, and gods, instead of the Most High God.

And it was at this time, that when God had gave Abram His plan for his people? Also know, that God was giving the Amorites' a grace period, when it came to them -- dwelling in the land, that God had given to Abram. And this grace was given unto this idolatrous nation, even though, they were sinners before the Lord. And this is why, we must remember, that all sinners -- have some sort of grace period, that the Lord gives them.

Now, when it came to the Amorites, know that this grace period that was given unto them -- would allow them the chance, to turn from their sinful ways, and to finally make the decision to hand their life over to the Lord. But also know, that God was letting Abram know, that the Amorites weren't going to change from their wicked ways, and just like all worldly slaves, who continue to oppose God -- they've been put on notice, and unfortunately for them, their time will soon run out.

God would somewhat reaffirm this promise, when it came to the Amorites' and to all the other civilizations that were residing in the land, that God had promised to Abram. And the Lord had done this later that night, after it was dark. Now remember what God had told Abram earlier in the day: "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a pigeon." -- Genesis 15:9

Now this is what happened after the darkness had settled in, while Abram was still sleeping: "When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking brazier with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the [animal] pieces. On that day, the Lord had made a covenant with Abram: 'To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.'" -- Genesis 15:18-21

Now as we begin to move forward, the Sacred Record reveals, that when it'd came to the prophecy that the Lord had told to Abram (that concerned the Promise Seed)- we find that Abram and his wife are starting to become impatient, when it comes to them, finally being able to start a family with other. Now with them becoming impatient, and now somewhat, desperate -- will they try to take matters into their own hands, when it comes to building a family?

God Creates the Earth

**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**

Sarah the Mother of Nations

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

01) Introduction of Abraham - Before He was Called

02) The Divine Calling of Abraham

03) Abram Goes to Egypt

04) The Strife between Abram and Lot

05) Chedorlaomer Captures Lot

06) Abram's Mission to Rescue Lot

07) Abram meets Melchizedek

08) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->

09) Abram's Family Drama

10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude

Added to page 10) The Abrahamic Covenant and its Modification