God Promises Abram a Son

Bible Study Lesson .... Genesis 15:1-21

This is the story from the Bible where God promises Abram, later known as Abraham, a son even though his wife was barren. Just one of the many miracles recorded in the Old Testament and Genesis. Read the commentary to see how it can apply to your life today.

15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,

"Do not fear, Abram,

I am a shield to you;

Your reward shall be very great."

2 Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

3 And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir."

4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them " And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

7 And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it."

8 He said, "O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?"

9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon."

10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds.

11 The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.

13 God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.

14 "But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions.

15 "As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.

16 "Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete."

17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,

"To your descendants I have given this land,

From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite

20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim

21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite."  

The Promise of God to Abram ( Abraham )

There are many lessons to be pulled from this story and I cannot go into all of them but will try to cover a few key points.

No Medical Science

It is a sad situation not to be able to have children. And, in those days there was no such thing as artificial insemination or pills to help induce pregnancy so Abram was stuck with the hand he was dealt.

Or, was he?

God does not follow the laws of nature or man so He can provide for any need, even the need for a child if it is in His will.

Importance of Heirs

Abram was a man who had it all; land, riches; a good wife; all the material things we would deem in today's world as "success". But, he didn't have a son. In the Hebrew tradition family was all-important as land and wealth were passed on to sons.

Also, the son took care of the widowed mother as there were no social services available. In many cases, the widow had a choice to either beg in the streets or die. This bit of background is just to let you know how much depended upon a man having a male heir.

Faith 

Abram's biggest asset was his unending faith in God. When God told him that his descendants would outnumber the stars Abram believed Him because of their relationship and his willingness to follow. We can have a relationship with God as well through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus made it possible for us to communicate with God. All we have to do is accept Him as Lord and Savior following these simple steps from John 3:16. If you have made that commitment then reaffirm it and, if not, will you ask Christ into your life today?

Love in Christ

- Bob

Genesis 12:1-9 - Abram