Genesis 15

The story that runs through the bible has some very strong themes that are rooted in the covenant God made with Abram. Previously we've focused in on the idea that the covenant was about the outpouring of God's blessing on Abram and and on all people through Abram. We always need to keep that aspect of the covenant central in our understanding of the biblical story. There are two other aspects of the covenant that are reinforced in chapter 15 that are also key.

Firstly the covenant relates to a people. God promised Abram offspring as numerous as the stars. Although it is completely biblical to believe that God relates to each of us as individuals it is really important to keep in mind that this covenant is about God's relationship with Abram's offspring. From this point the bible's main theme is God intimacy with a people. Reading the New Testament without that understanding can mean we miss the heart of God's redemption story.

I think sometimes we get disappointed with God because our expectations revolve around an understanding of relationship with God that is very individualistic and personally intimate. So much emphasis is placed on God being like a daddy that we only expect God to meet us in those very personal ways. If he doesn't we get really disappointed and discouraged. What exactly does a 'personal' relationship with God mean? I wonder how a stronger concept of being part of the people of God might change those expectations and help us to see new and different ways of experiencing him. Please don't misunderstand me here, I passionately believe that an individual's conviction and experience of God's love towards them is one of the most transforming and central experiences of Christian conversion. Nothing is more beautiful than the assurance of God's love towards me. What I am seeking for is a richer and deeper understanding of a relationship that the bible devotes itself to - God and His people.

The second part of the covenant detailed in this chapter is God's promise to give Abram the land of Canaan. This picks up a theme that is building in my reading of Genesis. The theme of a 'place' of blessing. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve enjoyed the blessing of God. It was a 'place', a physical location. When Adam sinned he left that place, the land of blessing. Now God is promising a new 'place' for Abram's family, a 'place' destined to be a home for God's people. A 'place' of abundant blessing. God didn't offer Abram a celestial home far, far way from the rotten and sinful earth. No, instead he pointed to the restoration of a small piece of this planet and committed to the establishment of a new place of blessing. Perhaps just a signpost of a much greater redemption. A hope that one day all the earth would be blessed through Abram. God's commitment is not the destruction of the physical earth but its renewal.

So the 3 themes that substantiate this covenant are God's people (Abram's descendants), in God's place (the promised land), enjoying God's blessing. These are the elements that Graeme Goldsworthy constantly addresses in his books - he is well worth a read for getting to grips with the the overarching story of the bible.

In the next blog I'll return to chapter 15 to consider how God will uphold justice in the establishment of His Kingdom. Perhaps one of the toughest questions we grapple with having just left a century marked by some of the most evil despotic regimes. I think we are a generation that is extremely sceptical of notions of Kingdom and Empire.

Genesis 15:1-2

I feel another entry on this fascinating exchange between God and Abram is necessary. I will probably be repeating some of the last entry.

What God says in verse 1 is surely a central pillar of our faith. Within those 3 lines God defines his role in the relationship he has called us to with him. God speaks into the chaos of Abram's world. A world in which he is surrounded by war and trouble, without a permanent home, unable to see how anything will ever change and incapable of producing a child with Sarai. In other words Abram has nothing he wants in this life. All the things that were important - peace, land and a family are alluding him. In that context God beckons Abram to realise that the things he hopes for will never bring contentment in themselves. "Abram, I am your shield and your very great reward". God's opening statement is not "Abram, Do not be afraid, you will have a child". There is something else God is trying to teach Abram first. He wants Abram to realise that actually there is only place for one God in his life. He is saying "I am enough for you".

Later in the passage God reinforces his promise of a child and of land but not before he has spoken to Abram of the correct sequencing of life. When we have ordered our life on the basis that God is enough and no need or want is exulted above him, then all our needs will really be met. Is God your shield and you your reward? Is he the one in whom all your hopes and dreams rest? Do you know that all your needs are met in him? If God has his rightful place in our life then we not need to be afraid of anything. Are you a fearful person? Go to the root - what has taken God's place in your life? What is ruling you? What is the little sovereign that is mastering you? What can you not let go of?

My generation is one that is obsessed with destiny, purpose and calling. I suppose because of the effects of individualism we often think in terms of our personal destiny and rarely in terms of being part of the collective people of God. Because of this I think we are vulnerable of making an idol of destiny. We want the role of the hero in the story, we want to be the ones they write biographies about and we want a place in history. Lots of people have fallen out of that rat race though because they have seen their ambitions and dreams allude them. When our destiny runs aways from us our faith often follows. Is God our shield and reward? Are we content when we are abased and when we abound? Our calling is important but have we become like Abram when he turns to God and says "what can you give me since I am without a child?".

Abram's relationship with God matures throughout his journey and I think we all know what happens when his son finally does come along. Abram grows to truly believe the God is his shield and reward. Have you?

In conclusion I want to return to my claim that God's statement in verse 1 is a pillar of our faith that defines God's relationship with us. He calls us to put our whole hearts into his hands. The relationship is one in which God becomes all to us and nothing else takes his place as our shield and our reward. That is to be the nature of our relationship with him.