Sermon Genesis Chapter 15

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “GENESIS CHAPTER 15.”

4 Kings Went To Battle With 5 Kings In The Last Chapter Of Genesis

• Before we move to Genesis Chapter 15, let’s do a recap of Genesis Chapter 14.
• We saw 4 kings going to battle with 5 kings. We saw that Abram wasn’t in the battle.
• Abram didn’t choose sides in this battle. The 4 kings won the battle with the 5 kings.
• On the side of the 5 kings was the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah.
• The king of Elam was Chedorlaomer and he was on the winning side.
• The winners decide that they’ll to take all the goods and victuals from Sodom and Gomorrah.
• In that process of taking everything, they decide they will take Lot who now dwelled in Sodom.

[3] Genesis 14:10-12 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

• Abram had some friends in the area and one of them tells Abram that they’ve taken Lot.
• Immediately, Abram arms his trained servants, 318 of them, and pursues these kings unto Dan.
• Abram goes a long way to find Lot. He could have just left Lot but he goes after his brother in Christ.
• He goes all the way into the north where Damascus is located.

My guess is that Abram pursued after them for about 200 miles. That’s not a short trip.

• Abram finds them, fights them, slaughters them, and brings back all the goods, his brother Lot and his goods, the women, and the people.
• We also see Melchizedek King of Salem in Genesis Chapter 14 after Abram slaughters Chedorlaomer.

[4] Genesis 14:17-18 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

• We learned that Melchizedek is a priest of the most high God.
• We learned from Hebrews Chapter 7 that Melchizedek is Jesus Christ. There is no other option.
• We are told in the Scriptures that Melchizedek doesn’t have a beginning.
• Jesus Christ comes as Melchizedek King of Salem in Genesis Chapter 14. He is “THE” HIGH PRIEST.
• Abram gives Melchizedek tithes or ten percent of the spoils from the slaughter of the 4 kings.

We saw that the king of Sodom wants to give Abram the goods from Sodom.

• Abram says that he won’t take anything from this king. Why?
• Abram doesn’t want the king of Sodom to say that he made Abram rich.

[5] Genesis 14:23-24 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

• And that is the end of Genesis Chapter 14. Let’s get started in Genesis Chapter 15 verse 1.

[6] Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

• Now we see God speaking to Abram in a vision. God speaks to people in visions throughout the Bible.
• Abram, Jacob, Ezekiel, and Daniel are examples from the Old Testament.
• Peter is an example from the New Testament. “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
• Peter learned in a vision that it is okay to eat whatever God has cleansed.
• Here, in Genesis Chapter 15, we see the word of the Lord coming to Abram in a vision.

God says, “Fear not, Abram. I am thy shield, and they exceeding great reward.”

• This was directly after Abram went after his nephew Lot and slaughtered the 4 kings.
• God says, “Don’t be afraid.” Why? Because God is Abram’s shield. God is Abram’s reward.
• We’ve been over this before. The Bible commands us to FEAR NOT over and over again.
• You will find hundreds of Scriptures that tell you to not be afraid.
• This world tells you that you should be afraid of everything but God.
• The Bible teaches you to be afraid of NOTHING but God.

God Is Your Shield And You’re Still Afraid???

If God is your shield, why would you be afraid? If God is not your shield, then you should be afraid.

• How does God become your shield? THROUGH FAITH ALONE. Simply have faith in God.
• Simply trust God in all things. THEN, God will be your shield. Trust in Him at all times.
• You’ll make mistakes, but ask forgiveness, do your best, and God will be your shield.
• No matter what happens, you MUST trust in the Lord at all times.

[7] Exodus 14:10-11 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

[8] Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

[9] Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

• In other words, you simply trust in the Lord and be quiet. “The Lord shall fight for you.”
• “And ye shall hold your peace.” Don’t be afraid. God is your shield if you trust in Him.
• The Covid virus is nothing like Pharaoh and the Egyptians coming after you to kill you.
• God divided the waters of the Red Sea the entire night so His people could pass safely.
• Do you not believe that God will do this same thing for you? HE WILL IF YOU TRUST IN HIM.

When I need a great amount of help, I know God is there with me when I’m doing what He says.

• When we trust in God, love Him, and follow His words, HE IS OUR REWARD.
• Every time He helps us, this is our reward. God will reward you. HE IS OUR EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.
• When we finally see Him coming in the clouds, this will be the greatest reward ever. He is our reward.
• The entire Bible teaches us and promises us rewards for following God. He will reward you.

[10] Ruth 2:11-12 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

• If you trust in the Lord, you receive the reward of everlasting life.
• If you follow the commandments of God, you continue to receive rewards.
• God rewards us even though we sin against Him constantly. He constantly forgives us.
• We don’t deserve these rewards at all when you get right down to it. He is a good God.

[11] Psalm 58:10-11 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

• When the wicked and evil people of this world hate you and come after you, TRUST IN THE LORD.
• Don’t do evil to them. We don’t repay evil with evil. WE ARE NOT TO DO EVIL.
• God rewards us for this by taking vengeance on the evil people who come after us.

[12] Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

• I welcome people saying bad things about me for the sake of Jesus Christ. I will stand up for Jesus.
• You can hate me for it. But I will be blessed when people hate me and persecute me for loving Jesus.
• I will not be upset when I am persecuted and hated. I will rejoice and be EXCEEDING GLAD.
• Why? “For great is your reward in heaven.” All of the prophets were persecuted. I’ll take it too.
• Will you welcome the persecution? If not, you won’t stand up for Jesus Christ.

[13] Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

• Abraham was righteous through faith. HE SHALL HAVE A SURE REWARD. And God is that reward.
• Don’t you want this reward of God Himself? Don’t you want eternal rewards in heaven?

[14] Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• You must understand that every word of God is true. If you simply seek God, He will reward you.
• How do you seek God? Through the word of God. Read and study your Bible. Pray to Him.
• Seek after Him. You will find Him. And He will be your reward. There is nothing better.
• God has no end to His rewards. He is everlasting rewards. HE IS OUR EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD!!!

[15] Genesis 15:2-3 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

• You can see that Abram wants a child badly. “Lord, you have not given me any seed.”
• “One born in my house is mine heir.” And it’s not his seed that is heir of his house at this time.
• Eliezer of Damascus is the steward or the heir that Abram is talking about here.
• This is probably the same man who goes to that well to find Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, in Genesis Chapter 24.
• But Abram wants his own children. God promised to make of Abram a great nation. He’s waiting on God.
• He says, “LORD, I AM CHILDLESS.”

[16] Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

• Now, Abram finds out that Eliezer of Damascus will not be his heir.
• The Lord tells Abram that his heir shall come forth out of his own bowels.
• In other words, Abram will have a son and that son will be his heir.

[17] Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

• We know that Jesus Christ comes from the line of Abraham.
• We know that Jesus Christ is the Son of David and the Son of Abraham.
• Isaac is the son that comes directly from the bowels of Abram.

Abraham was going to sacrifice his only legitimate son, Isaac, on the altar.

• Abraham and Isaac are pictures of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Abraham is not God. Isaac is not the Son of God. But God is giving us pictures of these things.
• God gives us like images throughout the Bible so we can better understand things.

[18] Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

• Are families of the earth blessed through Abraham directly? Is Abraham our Savior? NO WAY.
• Jesus Christ is the son of Abraham, and through Jesus Christ, all families of the earth shall be blessed.

[19] Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

• Because Abraham obeyed the voice of God and trusted in God, all nations of the earth can be blessed.
• And we’re all blessed through the Son of Abraham, JESUS CHRIST.
• Let’s keep going in Genesis Chapter 15 verse 5.

[20] Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

• Abram, look towards heaven. See all the stars? Can you number all of the stars?
• The internet, which of course isn’t the truth, but it says there are about 1 billion trillion stars in the observable universe.
• “SO SHALL THY SEED BE.” If you’ve believed on Jesus Christ, you are one of those stars.
• You aren’t an actual star, but you represent one of those stars that God showed Abram right there.
• The Bible isn’t talking about the physical seed of Abraham.

The Seed Of Abraham Are All Those Who Believe In The Lord

How do I know this isn’t talking about the actual physical seed of Abraham?

• Well, the actual physical seed of Abraham was numbered. We have the Book of Numbers.
• But that’s not proof that this isn’t talking about Abraham’s physical seed.
• The next Scripture gives us the answer. Abraham’s seed will be the ones who do what this next verse says.

[21] Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

• You are a seed of Abraham, or one of those stars, once you believe in the Lord.
• And when I say believe in the Lord, I mean putting all your trust IN THE LORD. Not in yourself.
• Believing in the Lord is believing what He says in this Bible and the promises that He makes to you.
• The Lord Jesus Christ says that “whosoever believeth in Him hath everlasting life.”
• If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind, then you have everlasting life.
• Do you believe this promise that Jesus makes to you? For example, I know that my soul will never die.
• This is why I fear nothing but God Almighty Himself. I fear Jesus Christ. I don’t fear anything else.
• You are the spiritual seed of Abraham once you BELIVE IN THE LORD. You receive righteousness.

[22] Romans 4:7-10 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

• You MUST understand these Scriptures. All of the physical seed of Abraham were not saved.
• All of the physical seed of Abraham were not those stars. Abraham’s grandson, Esau, was hated by God.
• Esau was rejected by God. This means God is clearly not talking about the physical seed of Abraham.
• The righteousness only comes through faith and Esau didn’t have faith in the Lord.

And notice what this says EXACTLY. How was righteousness reckoned to Abraham? Let’s read verse 10 again.

• “How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?”
• “NOT IN CIRCUMCISION, BUT IN UNCIRCUMCISION.”
• In other words, Abraham was saved before he followed the law of circumcision.
• He was saved before he was circumcised. Following the law of God does not save you. Understand this.
• Being circumcised didn’t save Abraham. Keep this in mind as this is very important.
• The Bible teaches us the truth. So many people can’t understand the Scriptures you see right there.
• They have been deceived by false preachers.

[23] Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

• Abraham is the father of all them that BELIEVE, though they be not circumcised.
• Do you understand that following the law is not what saves you? Circumcision doesn’t save you.
• Baptism is very similar to circumcision.
• For Abraham, the seal of the righteousness of faith would be circumcision.
• For us today, baptism would be the seal of the righteousness of faith.
• This should show you that baptism doesn’t save you. Baptism is a work. We are not saved by works.

This shows you specifically that people didn’t have to be circumcised to be saved.

• This means men in the Old Testament who were not circumcised could be saved.
• This means people now who aren’t baptized can be saved. The thief on the cross was saved.
• Why? Because he believed in the Lord and Jesus counted that faith for righteousness.
• And yes, Jesus and His disciples were already baptizing people prior to Jesus dying on the cross.
• Today, you can be saved right now by believing “IN” the Lord Jesus Christ.
• If you think you believe “IN” Jesus, but you also think you must be baptized to be saved:
• THEN, you are not saved. You must put all your faith in Jesus Christ and none in your works.

[24] Romans 4:12-13 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

• We walk in the steps of faith by believing in Jesus Christ. This means we are the children of Abraham.
• How? Through faith alone and nothing else. We only do good works because of our faith.
• The promise that God gives us of everlasting life is through the righteousness of faith alone.
• Don’t attempt to mix FAITH and WORKS for salvation. Works play no part in salvation at all.

Abraham had faith BEFORE he was circumcised. He was saved when he had faith.

• The Bible clearly teaches this. Abraham is circumcised in Genesis Chapter 17.
• What chapter are we in right now? Genesis Chapter 15. Abraham is saved already.
• And we haven’t gotten to Genesis Chapter 17. Same thing with baptism.
• You must be saved through faith alone BEFORE your baptism. Water baptism doesn’t save you.
• So, the children of Abraham are the children with faith.
• This can be the Israelites with faith, the Jews with faith, or anyone with faith in the God of the Bible.

[25] Romans 9:6-8 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

• So, we know 100% for sure that the physical seed of Abraham are not all saved automatically.
• You must have FAITH and believe in the promises that God makes to you.
• He says if you would simply believe in Him that He will save you. And that’s all it takes.
• You must believe HIS PROMISES. His promises are not lies from a false preacher.
• The promises of God are His promises. God doesn’t say you must be baptized to be saved.
• That’s not His promise. That’s some made up promise that isn’t real.

[26] Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

• So, I want you to notice what book that Scripture comes from. Philippians. They weren’t Israelites.
• They weren’t Jews. They weren’t the physical seed of Abraham. But Paul says, “WE.”
• Paul is from the tribe of Benjamin. He is an Israelite. He is circumcised.
• Paul is saying he and the Philippians in that church are the same. Why?
• Because they believe. Since they believe, Paul says: “We are the circumcision.”

The Saved Have ZERO Confidence In The Flesh

We worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus. We have no confidence in the flesh.

• We know that our flesh and the works we do through our flesh do not save us at all.
• We know that baptism doesn’t save us at all. We know that only Jesus Christ saves us.
• Now, you should understand why those stars are all those who believe in the Lord.
• Abraham was going to be a father of MANY NATIONS. Not just the nation of Israel.
• This is what the Bible says. I didn’t make this up. The Bible teaches us this over and over again.
• Yet, there are false preaches everywhere, the majority of preachers, teaching different from God.

Think about Abram here and why he was saved. God promised Abram that he would be a father of many nations.

• Abram is old at this time and he has no physical seed at all. He has no child, male or female.
• He isn’t even a father of ONE at this time and God tells him he will be a father of MANY NATIONS.
• He’s somewhere between 75 and 99 in this chapter here. Imagine that you are Abram, and you are old.
• God promises you that your seed will be like the stars, and they cannot be numbered.
• Would you believe God? FAITH IS BELIEVING SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T SEEN.

[27] 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

• Abram probably had no idea how God was going to make this happen. But he believed the Lord.
• No matter what, I believe the Lord.
• For example, I have no idea how God is going to take me to heaven. I have no idea what heaven is like.
• I have no idea how God is going to raise me from the dead. I have no idea how He keeps this earth alive.
• I have no idea how He does all that He does. I have no idea how He can be everywhere at once.
• But He is because I have faith in His words even though I can’t see these things. I can’t understand.

I will do what He says even when I don’t think it’s the best thing. I don’t understand, but He does.

• I will not put a vaccine into my body, and I will trust in the Lord. I will not rely on doctors to save me.
• If I get fired from my job, I will trust in the Lord. I have no idea how we’ll make it, but we will make it.
• Why? Because God will take care of us. How? I don’t know. But this is called faith.
• We don’t know how God does all of these things but we know that He’ll do them. We trust Him.
• And trust in God is what saves us. TRUST HIM AND HE WILL SAVE YOU.
• Things may get very bad but trust in Him. He will bring you out of these trials and troubles.

When we trust in God as Abram did, we are spiritually children of Abraham. We’re all children of faith.

• And where does faith come from? Faith comes from God. He is the father of faith.
• But there’s many fathers of faith such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• Let’s keep going in Genesis Chapter 15 verse 7.

[28] Genesis 15:7-8 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

• God tells Abram that He is the one who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees.
• He says, “I brought you out of that land to give you this land to inherit it.”

Remember, Abram is a stranger to this land. He’s not from this area. But God gives him this land.

• And if God gives you something, then you can know that it’s yours 100% FOR SURE.
• “Fear not Abram, I have given you this land. It’s yours.”
• Abram says, “Whereby shall I KNOW that I shall inherit it?”
• He asks, “How will I know that this land is mine?” Now we’re going to see God show Him how he’ll know.

[29] Genesis 15:9-11 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

• God tells Abram what to do if he wants to know that he shall inherit this land.
• He takes a 3-year old heifer or female cow, a she goat of 3-years old, and a ram of 3-years old.
• He also takes a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
• Abram divides the 3-year old heifer, the 3-year old she goat, and the 3-year old ram.
• But he doesn’t divide the birds. Think of what happens when these animals are sacrificed.
• These animals will cry out when they are divided by Abram. He divided them in the midst or middle.
• Abram splits them in half. What does all of this mean? Why a heifer, she goat, ram? Why divide them?

[30] Isaiah 15:4-5 And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him. 5 My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.

• We see a heifer of three years old in verse 5. We see that they are crying out. They will cry loudly.

[31] Jeremiah 48:33-34 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting. 34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.

• So, remember that Abram asked God: “Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?”
• God tells Abram to take these animals. Abram divides the heifer, she goat, and ram.
• A 3-year old heifer is very loud. If you’ve ever heard one in pain, you’ll know what I mean.
• So, I think God is showing Abram that all of the people in these lands will be crying out.
• The sacrifices that we find in the law of Moses take animals in the first year and not in the third year.
• The phrase “she goat” is only in the Bible twice. Here’s the other Scripture:

[32] Numbers 15:27-28 And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. 28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.

• A she goat in the first year was sacrificed for sins through ignorance. “I didn’t know that was wrong.”
• We can learn more about the animals God told Abram to take.
• We know that Abraham will soon sacrifice a ram that was caught in a thicket by his horns instead of his son, Isaac.
• That happens in Genesis Chapter 22. Turtledoves and pigeons are used for burnt offerings to the Lord.

[33] Psalm 74:19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.

• So, the turtledoves might represent the saved within the crying out of the wicked.
• Pigeons and turtledoves could be substituted one for the other.
• The Book of Genesis is not an easy book. Most people just skip right over these Scriptures.
• There’s a lot of prophecy in the Book of Genesis, and I know that we don’t understand it all perfectly.
• Maybe sometime in the future God will reveal more to us. We must study and search the Scriptures more.
• It is interesting to note that Genesis Chapter 15 is the first time you see the words heifer, she goat, ram, turtledove, and pigeon.
• Let’s keep going in Genesis Chapter 15.

[34] Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

• God speaks to people throughout the Bible during their deep sleep. He does so to Abram right here.
• An horror of great darkness fell upon Abram. God is going to give Abram more information here.

[35] Genesis 15:13-14 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

• God tells Abram that his seed is going to be a stranger in a land that is not theirs.
• They will not be living in this land and enjoying this land that God is giving to Abram for at least 400 years.
• They will be serving the people in this land that is not theirs. They will be afflicted for 400 years.
• Abram’s seed will serve that nation. God will then judge that nation.
• And afterward, Abram’s seed will come out with great substance.
• We know that this is talking about Egypt. We know that the Egyptians are judged by God with the plagues.
• We know the children of Israel come up out of Egypt with great substance.

The Israelites Spoiled The Egyptians

[36] Exodus 12:35-36 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

• Some people believe that these Scriptures in Genesis Chapter 15 are not inspired by God. Why is that?
• Because they are difficult to understand. Because they don’t make sense to them.
• Since they don’t understand them, they’ll say these Scriptures do not belong in the Bible.
• They’ll say, “Well, we know they weren’t afflicted 400 years. It was just a short time they were afflicted.”
• They’ll say, “Well, we know it couldn’t have been 400 years from Levi to Moses.”
• Notice exactly what the Scriptures say and let’s compare Scripture with Scripture.
• “And they shall AFFLICT THEM 400 years.”

[37] Exodus 12:40-41 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

• The children of Israel SOJOURNED in Egypt 430 years.

[38] Acts 7:6-7 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

• “ENTREAT THEM EVIL 400 years.”
• So, we know they sojourned 430 years and were afflicted 400 of those 430 years.

[39] Galatians 3:16-17 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

• We see 430 years in this Scripture.
• To me, the Bible is very clear that the children of Israel were in Egypt 430 years.
• They were afflicted for 400 years. They were in Egypt a total of 430 years.
• They were afflicted 400 years. They were afflicted at an even greater degree after Joseph dies.
• Now, I want to continue in Genesis Chapter 15.

[40] Genesis 15:15-16 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

• We know that Abraham died and was buried in a good old age. He was 175 years old when he died.
• The children of Israel will sojourn in Egypt for 430 years and be afflicted 400 years in Egypt.
• “But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again.”
• “For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Notice this says FOURTH GENERATION.
• “In the 4^th generation, they shall come hither again.”

This is why some people say the Bible must have a mistake. We know the Bible doesn’t have a mistake.

• They say, “In 4 generations from Levi to Moses, there can’t be 430 years.”
• They say, “This can’t be true. This doesn’t make any sense.”
• Don’t call God a liar just because you don’t understand something.
• If you don’t understand something, what do you do? You study the Scriptures.
• You ask God for wisdom and understanding. You don’t call God a liar to figure these things out.
• Who are the Amorites? “For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”

[41] Genesis 10:15-18 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth, 16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, 17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

• We know that the Amorites come from Canaan the cursed son of Ham.
• God waits to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt because the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
• The Amorites still have to fill up on their iniquity before the children of Israel come out of Egypt.

[42] Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

• The Amorites currently live in the land flowing with milk and honey that God gave to Abram and his seed.

[43] Amos 2:9-10 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. 10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.

• We see that the Amorites have a great height. They were very strong. God conquered them.
• Let’s go back to Genesis Chapter 15 and continue in verse 17.

[44] Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

• The sun goes down. It’s dark. A smoking furnace and a burning lamp passes between the pieces.
• What pieces is this talking about? It’s talking about the pieces of the heifer, goat, and ram.
• There were six pieces and then there’s a turtledove and a pigeon.
• A burning lamp passes between the pieces. What does all of this mean?
• Well, something similar happens in Jeremiah Chapter 34. Listen closely.

[45] Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

• Notice that God says, “And I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.”
• This is the opposite of what God is promising Abram in Genesis Chapter 15.
• God’s promise to Abram is that He will give this land to Abram and his seed.
• We see that the smoking furnace and burning lamp represent God passing through these pieces of sacrificed animals in Genesis Chapter 15.

Abraham Asked God To Show Him So God Shows Him

Please remember that God is showing Abram that this land will be his through God’s promise to him.

• God is passing through all of these nations. In Jeremiah Chapter 34, the people are scattered into all the kingdoms of the earth.
• Look at the end of verse 17 there in Jeremiah Chapter 34.
• “And I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” Next verse.

[46] Jeremiah 34:18-19 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, 19 The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;

[47] Jeremiah 34:19-20 The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; 20 I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

• These people PASSED BETWEEN THE PARTS OF THE CALF.
• This is God making a promise to these people who hated him. They passed between the parts of the calf.
• They would be given into the hands of their enemies.
• In Genesis Chapter 15, a burning lamp passed between the pieces.
• When this happens in the Bible, God is making a promise or covenant.
• Covenants were made in the Old Testament in this way. This is how God is showing Abram His covenant.
• And watch what we see in the next verse of Genesis Chapter 15.

[48] Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

• God made a covenant with Abram. What’s the covenant? “Unto thy seed have I given this land.”
• And the animal parts are there so God can pass through them and confirm the covenant with Abram.
• What land does God promise Abram and his seed? God is specific here.
• “From the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
• The river of Egypt is most likely the Nile River. From the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.
• Here’s a couple of maps of what some people think the promised land might be.

[49]

• These are just guesses, but this gives you an idea of the land promised to Abram and his seed.
• This is the covenant that God made with Abram.
• God confirms this covenant by passing between the pieces as we saw in Jeremiah Chapter 34.

We see a smoking furnace and a burning lamp pass between the animals that Abram divided.

• This is God passing through the offerings that Abram is making to God. Abram is doing as God asked.
• God passes through in acceptance of what Abram has done. God makes a covenant with Abram.
• When the Israelites are doing as instructed by God and taking the promised land, God is there fighting with them and for them.
• HE IS GOING THROUGH THE NATIONS WITH THEM.
• They will be victorious when He is passing through with them.

In Genesis Chapter 15, we see God pass between these parts of the animals.

• In Jeremiah Chapter 34, we see the people passing between the parts of the calf.
• I believe this is God telling Abram that He is going to fight for them in Genesis Chapter 15.
• He’s going to go throughout this land and fight with the Israelites against all the other nations.
• In Jeremiah Chapter 34, the people pass between the parts and are given into the hands of the enemies.
• When God goes forth for us, we win. When we go forth ourselves, we lose. We need God.
• The Israelites needed God. Now, here’s where another problem and argument arises.

The Land Will Be Given To Abraham’s Seed

Has this promise already been fulfilled by God? Have the children of Israel received all of this land?

• Is this land theirs forever? And I’m not talking about the man-made country of Israel.
• I can guarantee that the land God gave to Abram and his seed will be given to them.
• God cannot lie. He does not break His promises. I am not sure how it will happen.
• But, again, FAITH is knowing that God’s words are true. We know this will happen.
• Abram’s seed will inherit this promised land. That land will be theirs FULLY.
• And I am sure this is talking about the spiritual seed of Abram.
• The fleshly seed of Abram cannot inherit the promises of God in their flesh.

[50] Genesis 15:19-21 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

• That’s the last Scriptures in Genesis Chapter 15. We see 10 groups of people named here.
• These are the people currently living in the promised land that is given to Abram and his seed.

[51]

Kenites Kenizzites Kadmonites Hittites Perizzites

Rephaims Amorites Canaanites Girgashites Jebusites

• All of this land will be taken from these nations and be given to Abram and his seed.
• Again, we see 10 people’s mentioned here.

[52] Deuteronomy 7:1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to posess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

• Now, we move forward in time from Abram to Moses, and we now see seven nations listed.
• The nations are changing. Things are changing as we move forward.

[53] Acts 13:17-19 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. 19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

• The original 10 people’s listed in Genesis Chapter 15 are turned into 7 nations in other Scriptures.

[54] Joshua 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

• As you may have noticed, there’s a lot of Bible study that can be done to understand Genesis Chapter 15.
• There’s weeks and months of study within Genesis Chapter 15 that can be done.
• This sermon was just an introduction to Genesis Chapter 15.
• We don’t have time to go into details of the 400 years, 430 years, 4 generations, and the 10 people’s listed that are later listed as 7 nations.
• But I hope this Bible study on Genesis Chapter 15 helps you understand this chapter better.

I want you to understand that God does not lie.

• These so-called Bible “experts” will tell you that the Bible must be wrong.
• They say these things because something doesn’t make sense to them.
• They’ll say, “The King James Bible is wrong so we’ll use another until we find one that fits what we want.”
• And that’s what they do. They go find a number from another corrupted version that fits their timeline.
• This is wrong. There are no mistakes in the King James Bible. You can trust these words.

They decrease your faith in the word of God. Every word of God is true.

• Your understanding of His words might be wrong, but His words are always truth.
• When something appears to you as wrong, this just means you need to study more of the Scriptures.
• The Scriptures will always correct your understanding of God’s words.

Let’s pray.