Message Notes

AM BETHANY 23 February 2019
Text: Genesis 15:9-21

THE COVENANT GOD GAVE TO ABRAM

1. This was not a regular sacrifice to be made to the Lord

a) A three-year old heifer (Genesis 15:9a)

b) A three-year old ram (Genesis 15:9b)

c) A turtle dove (Genesis 15:9c)

d) A young pigeon (Genesis 15:9d)

2. This was a one-off occasion!

3. The significance is to be found in the word “Covenant” (Genesis 15:18)

THE CUTTING OF THE ANIMALS

1. The three-year old heifer

2. The three-year old ram

3. The significance lay in the act of cutting of the animals

WHAT ABOUT THE BIRDS?

1. The turtle dove and the young pigeon

2. These were the offering of the very poor (Leviticus 1:14)

3. Leviticus 1:17 adds an important insight
The wings are split (though this was not mentioned in Genesis 15)

THE SIGNIFICANCE LAY IN THE ACT OF “CUTTING”

1. The Covenant must be taken seriously

2. If it is broken because of poor regard, the implications are obvious

a) The individual deserves to be cut in two!

b) The individual deserves to die! (Birds and animals)

THE SMOKING OVEN AND BURNING TORCH

1. They represent the LORD’s presence

2. Profound and powerful symbols

THE COVENANT GIVEN

1. The land of Canaan was promised (Genesis 15:18a)

2. This land would be given to Abram’s descendants (Genesis 15:18b)

AN IMPORTANT REVELATION
Genesis 15:12-16

1. Abram’s descendants would be strangers in a foreign land

2. They will suffer affliction

3. They will undergo a period of 400 years under foreign rule

4. God will judge the nation for its ill-treatment of His people

5. He will visit them and bring them out

6. The Amorites in the land of Canaan
They would be occupying the land in the meanwhile

WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED?

1. Knowledge

2. Trust in the Lord

3. Patience and perseverance

4. Hope

5. Waiting on the Lord to fulfil His word of promise