Abraham, Altars and the Walk of Faith –part 7 Listen to Audio

                                  June 3, 2009

 

  The next altar that Abraham will build is in ch.22:9 related to his obedience with respect to offering Isaac.  But before that incident are a number of other events outside the sphere of our immediate subject matter.  But an overview of

some of those events is appropriate.

  The third challenge faced by Abram in ch.14 relates to a larger geographic

conflict between several kings, including k. of Shinar [Babylon] in vs.1 & 9.

Abram’s involvement related to the capture of Lot (vs.14) and Abram’s move to recover him.  Note the contrast between the rebellion of the kings in vs.4 and the loyalty of Abram to Lot.  Along the way, we are introduced to a enigmatic, but godly priest and king named Melchizedek, who figures strongly in Jesus’ identity in Hebrews and who blesses Abram (vs.19) under El Elyon, creator

of heaven/earth.  In response, Abram pays him tithes.  The chapter ends with

Abram issuing an oath that carefully distinguishes him from the k.of Sodom.

 

  Chapter 15 brings the life of Abram to a decisive moment with several remarkable statements.  First, we note instead of divine appearance by the LORD (12:7), the first use of the formula- “the word of the LORD came..” which

helps establish Abram as a prophet (20:7).  Abram’s single-hearted devotion to

the LORD was witnessed in Melchizedek and Abram’s oath and the LORD expresses delight by addressing Abram’s fear and promising reward in vs.1.

  The dialogue of vs.2-3 should not be seen as doubtful (anti-faith), but rather

appropriate to one who challenges and seeks more from the LORD.  Abram

challenges God’s promise of ‘reward’ in that he continues without an heir,

bluntly stating “you have given me no offspring”.  The divine answer is

repeats the formula “the word of the LORD came to him”—the LORD is pointing out the tradition of accepting a slave or adopting a male as heir is NOT the heir God has in mind.  God intends to give a heir via a physical birth from

Abram.  Then, the LORD directs Abram to view the heavens and count the stars

to estimate the eventual number of descendants Abram will have.

  With this, the narrator says “Abram believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”  This statement would be central to Paul’s appeal to a gospel-based imputation of righteousness to Jew and Gentile alike in Rom. 4!  As an illustration, Paul declares justification by faith alone was given to Abram before His circumcision (vs. 9-10), thereby disqualifying any attempt by legalists to claim the present church-age necessity of circumcision to receive such justification by faith.  From that Paul presents Abram as “our father” since he is the prime example of imputation/heirship done NOT under the Law.

  The question might rise “Was Abram justified before Gen.15:6 or what was

his standing before God?  Romans 4 does not discuss his standing prior to

Gen.15:6, rather using that incident to develop the “faith-alone” justification.

 

 

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 There are some options to consider:

1) Abram had a faith-relationship with the LORD prior to Gen.15:6, but not

imputation of righteousness.  Perhaps, Abram was predestined and called,

but not yet justified (note the language in Rom.8:30).

2) Abram had imputation of righteousness before Gen.15:6, but it was not

formally declared.

3) Something about Gen.15 is different than his prior relationship with the

LORD—note not only the first use of the formula “the word of the LORD came “ but also the first use of word “covenant” with Abram in Gen.15:18.

  In Gen.15:7, God identifies Himself as “I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land..”  That remarkably

parallels Israel at Sinai in Ex.20:2.  In 15:8, Abram requests verification (sign)

as to God’s promise about the land.  What follows in vs.9-17 is an event that served to authenticate the promises and thus establish the covenant (vs.18).  The LORD communicated to Abram far-reaching predictive prophecy about Israel’s years in Egypt (vs.13,16).  Further, the land is described in its largest dimensions- “from the river of Egypt [Nile] to ….Euphrates”.