Insight: Genesis 15

Though this story of God's reminder of his promise to Abraham is familiar to many people, to such a degree that it is frequently quoted, there is a deeper aspect that is often overlooked. 

Firstly, to give some background on this story: Abraham, formerly named Abram (his name was changed when he began to follow the Lord, similarly to how we are given a new identity in Christ), had been following God for a long time. The Lord had promised to make him into a great nation. In other words, the Lord promised that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, would have a child, and that their offspring would become great in number. However, by Genesis 15, Abraham and Sarah are growing old and doubting the Lord's promise. Therefore, the Lord reminds them. 

Here is the verse in which the Lord reiterates His promise, quoted from the NIV version:

The Lord took Abraham outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars - if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis 15:5

Reading this verse, perhaps we picture a beautiful night sky, the scintillant stars scattered across the heavens in such great number that we cannot count. This is, indeed, a beautiful picture. However, it is not accurate. In verse 12, a few verses down from the fifth verse (with all verses between five and twelve having occurred on the same day) we see this:

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep... (Genesis 15:12a)

It was not dark when the Lord pointed to the heavens and told Abraham to count the stars. It was daytime, which adds another fascinating element to this story, and an entire new level of depth. 

Not only would Abraham be unable to count the stars due to their innumerable quantity, but he could not see the stars at all! 

The Lord was not simply repeating His promise with a memorable demonstration; He was illustrating a very important lesson. Abraham had to trust God completely. Just as he couldn't see the stars, but knew they existed and were there in the sky, he also couldn't see his offspring, but had to trust that they, too, would appear in the time the Lord appointed, just as the stars reappear each evening. 

We, as humans, tend to want to bargain with the Lord - "give me this, a little clue, a little proof, and then I'll believe". However, Abraham had no concrete proof on which to base his faith. He simply trusted in Lord even though, at the time, he had no physical evidence - merely God's promise. 

Comments

  1. donnamarie_txJuly 21, 2023 at 1:27 PM

    LOVE that insight.... I know the story, and yet i never noticed the fact that it was daytime!!! GREAT catch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arden LeeAugust 31, 2023 at 7:24 PM

      Thank you! When I discovered this, I was astounded!

      Delete

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