6. The First Covenant

Genesis 15:1-21, Galatians 3:15-18 & Romans 4:1-12

Key verse

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  "Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward."

Genesis 15:1

Messiah is also for us!  God is giving Abram exceedingly more than he could ever hope for or imagine.  All who come to faith in Messiah can consider themselves children of Abram!

Our reading in Genesis today focuses on the first covenant that God made with Abram.  This is actually the third covenant that God has made with man; the first covenant being the command to Adam to obey God's one order to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The second was with Noah when God used a rainbow to promise never to flood the earth again. "Covenant" is the official royal and legal term for a binding contract between a king and his subjects in Abram's time.

In this covenant, God will promise a land and descendants and a promise to stay with Abram and his seed forever. Paul explained to the Gentiles in Galatia that we are considered by God to be Abram's seed when we trust in Jesus. Paul makes it very clear that this covenant was made before the sign of circumcision was given so that it includes all of us, and proves that even Abram was saved by his faith, not by works.

Abram asked God how he would know that he would inherit the land. So God used a symbolic act that Abram was familiar with. In the custom of Abram's day, both members of a covenant would walk between the halves of the animals saying, "May what has happened to these animals happen to me if I ever break this covenant."  In this case however, Abram stayed an observer while God passed between the animals by Himself.  Nothing was required of Abram, but to remain faithful. This was an expression of God's love, because he did not compel Abram to commit to something that he could not fulfill. It is the same for us. In the end, though Abram's seed broke the covenant again and again, God alone took the punishment that we deserved even though He was the party that kept to this first agreement.

This is the covenant that was made before the covenant of circumcision.  Paul explains to us in Romans that God always did intend for his revelation, His messiah, and His redeemer to be for all. This makes Abram's history our history and his God ours as well.  We weren't brought in under the protection as an afterthought. God intended for us to be included all along.  

Our history with God does not begin with the Christmas story or the Day of Pentecost.  It begins here when God said, "So shall your offspring, (or seed), be."  Isn't it wonderful to know that, though God is concentrating on one man, Abram, at the beginning, he is already thinking of us?  Have you ever considered before how much you were planned for right from the start?  It is a humbling concept to consider.

Let us pray: Lord, we also have nothing to be afraid of. The covenant you have made with us through Jesus provides for an even greater inheritance than many sons and daughters on earth. You have promised that we will live with you forever, in that place prepared for us in heaven! Thank You Jesus! And so we pray that we will remain faithful to You, in return for your everlasting faithfulness towards us. Help us Lord to keep the covenant of peace with you, and thank you for the Holy Spirit who helps us want to!  In Jesus' name, amen.

Hymn:  "The God of Abraham Praise"   Let us know if you find a better rendition!