The Furnace and the Lamp – Part 1

AFTER God has removed Abraham completely out of the picture, this is the record we read:

“When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces” (Genesis 15:17).

This transaction, we are to remember, is in Abram’s behalf, but we are also to remember that Abram himself had nothing to do with it. This is being done entirely by another and that one is represented as a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, passing together between the pieces of a slain sacrifice.

Among the many attributes of God, we have two main classifications of attributes which we may best designate as the “justice of God” and the “love of God.” The first group of attributes, including His justice, truth, righteousness, all demand the death of the sinner. But the second group of attributes, His love and mercy, long-suffering and compassion, demand the salvation of those whom He has chosen. How to satisfy both of these infinite demands is the problem of Calvary. The smoking furnace speaks of God’s eternal wrath. Every time we read in the Bible about smoke, it means judgment. When Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Abram saw the smoke of judgment ascending from the city. When God came down in judgment upon Sinai to give the law, the whole mountain was in smoke. When John sees the lost condemned in the pit of hell, he says, “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever” (Revelation 14:11). Contrasted to the smoke, we have here the light, a burning lamp which dispels the darkness of judgment.

We have, then, the smoking furnace of God’s wrath, and the burning lamp of God’s love. We have God’s justice demanding the death of the transgressor, and the infinite love of God seeking the redemption of that poor sinner. How these two can be satisfied is the problem of Calvary. The angels, of course can not solve it. How then will it be done? Someone has very aptly called this “the problem of the atonement.” God’s wrath demands that the sinner shall die, according to His Word, and pay the penalty of eternal death and separation. But if God satisfies His justice, His love is violated, and love seems to come and say, “No, I demand that he shall be with me forever and that he shall be saved.” So we have this problem, justice saying, “No,” and love saying, “Yes.”

To Be Continued

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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