Genesis 15

CONCERNING Abraham’s faith then we have to ask the question, therefore, what did Abraham believe? What was it that God said, which Abraham believed, and which saved him and was counted to him for righteousness? We have the answer in the chapter from which Paul quotes, Genesis 15. Genesis 15 is the great faith chapter of the Old Testament, just as Hebrews 11 is of the New Testament. In it God reveals His one and only way of salvation. In Genesis 15 God reveals for the first time His complete plan of salvation in all of its fullness. The chapter opens with these significant words:

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great’ ” (Genesis 15:1).

Abram has just returned from his great victory over the four kings of the north, and he has delivered Lot and his family and the five other kings. Now he becomes afraid, and fears that the kings against whom he fought will come back for revenge late on. Moreover, he has refused to take any of the spoil and this too may have troubled him. It is then that the Lord comes to encourage him, and says, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield.” That is. “Don’t be afraid, Abraham, for I will be your protector.” Then the Lord adds, “your reward shall be very great.” God seems to say, “You have refused the wealth of the spoils of the king of Sodom, but I myself will be your reward.”

We digress from the story long enough here to point out a most arresting fact in this record of Genesis 15. There are a number of words and expressions used for the very first time in the Bible in this particular passage. While these words occur hundreds of times later on, they are never used until in this chapter. These expressions deal with God’s plan of justification and so they are never used until this particular chapter which deals with the faith of Abraham. Here are just a few of them:

1. “The Word of the Lord.” This expression occurs in verse 1. Although it occurs over and over in the Bible, it is never used until in this particular verse. It sets forth the basic truth of salvation, that justification is always by the Word of the Lord. No one has ever yet been saved, not one will ever be saved, except by God’s Word. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:23: “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.”
2. “Believed.” This word occurs in verse 6. It is very remarkable that God never permitted the use of this word, one of the commonest words in the entire Bible, until in this chapter, the faith chapter of the Old Testament. This word emphasizes the fact that salvation is not only by the “Word of God,” but by believing the Word of God.
3. “Fear not.” It also occurs in verse 1. This expression tells us the result of justification by faith. Freedom from fear and peace with God are the result of faith in His promises. Paul tells us in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
4. “Reward.” This word is in verse 1, too. It reminds us that the reward of faith is justification in the sight of God by the Word of God.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Studies in the Life of Abraham by M. R. De Haan (1891-1964)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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