A COVENANT OF ETERNAL FRIENDSHIP

Passage: Genesis 15:7~21  

Key verse: 7


1. I will give you this land (7-16)

When Abram had no hope of having an heir, he had no interest in the land. Now, he believed that God will give him son. But how could his descendants become numerous enough to possess the land? Even Abram and Lot could not live together in the land. God answered by instructing him to prepare for a covenant ceremony. He did so, and as the sun was setting, he fell into a deep, trance-like sleep. God revealed a remarkable plan. He would use the dark womb of Egypt and the suffering of slavery to mold Abram's descendants into a great nation. Then, at the right time, he would send them back to Canaan as his instrument of judgment on the godless Amorites.

2. A covenant sealed with fire (17-21)

When the sun had set, the Lord consumed the offering with a blazing torch and sealed his friendship covenant with Abram. He promised to give him the land from Egypt to the Euphrates River--the world that Abram knew (Ro 4:13).


Prayer: Lord, thank you for stooping to be our friend, and for keeping your promises.

One Word: God's great plan