ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) A covenant is a legally binding obligation (promise). Throughout history God has made covenants with his people - he would keep his side if they would keep theirs.
b) Here is one of the 7 covenants found in the Bible.
1. Name: "Abrahamic Covenant"
a) Reference text: Genesis 15:12-21)
i) 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” (Genesis 15:12-21 NKJV)
2. God's promise
a) Abraham's descendants would become a great nation if they obeyed God. God would be their God forever.
3. Sign
a) Smoking firepot with a blazing torch.
4. What is the text all about?
a) The Amorites were one of the nations living in Canaan, the land God promised Abram. God knew the people would grow more wicked and would someday need to be punished. Part of that punishment would involve taking away their land and giving it ot Abram's descendants. God in his mercy was giving the Amorites plenty of time to repent, but he already knew they would not. At the right time, they would have to be punished. Everything God does is true to his character. He is merciful, knows all, and acts justly - and his timing is perfect.
b) Why did God sent this strange vision to Abram? God's covenant with Abram was a serious business. It represented an incredible promise from God and a huge responsibility for Abram. To confirm his promise, God gave Abram's sign - a smoking firepot with a blazing torch. The fire and smoke suggest that God's holiness, his zeal for righteousness, gave the confirmation, and followed through on his promises. God's passing through the pieces was a visible assurance to Abram that he covenant God had made was real.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) A covenant is a legally binding obligation (promise). Throughout history God has made covenants with his people - he would keep his side if they would keep theirs.
b) Here is one of the 7 covenants found in the Bible.
1. Name: "Abrahamic Covenant"
a) Reference text: Genesis 15:12-21)
i) 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” (Genesis 15:12-21 NKJV)
2. God's promise
a) Abraham's descendants would become a great nation if they obeyed God. God would be their God forever.
3. Sign
a) Smoking firepot with a blazing torch.
4. What is the text all about?
a) The Amorites were one of the nations living in Canaan, the land God promised Abram. God knew the people would grow more wicked and would someday need to be punished. Part of that punishment would involve taking away their land and giving it ot Abram's descendants. God in his mercy was giving the Amorites plenty of time to repent, but he already knew they would not. At the right time, they would have to be punished. Everything God does is true to his character. He is merciful, knows all, and acts justly - and his timing is perfect.
b) Why did God sent this strange vision to Abram? God's covenant with Abram was a serious business. It represented an incredible promise from God and a huge responsibility for Abram. To confirm his promise, God gave Abram's sign - a smoking firepot with a blazing torch. The fire and smoke suggest that God's holiness, his zeal for righteousness, gave the confirmation, and followed through on his promises. God's passing through the pieces was a visible assurance to Abram that he covenant God had made was real.
The End ...
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