This is the third and final installment of a three-part series exploring Genesis 15
4. Look to the Cross
When you are living in between the promise and the fulfillment, when the world seems dark and ominous, it is important to look to the cross of Christ. There, we are reminded of God's great love for us, and his promise to make all things new.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31–32, ESV).
Sometimes this is all we have, yet it is enough.
12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."
The Deep Sleep
That a deep sleep fell on Abram is wonderful (12). It is reminiscent of God's way of bringing Adam into the covenant of marriage. It also foreshadows the way we would be brought into Christ's covenant of grace. While dead in our trespasses and sins, completely asleep to the ways and thoughts of God, Christ died for us. He made a way for us while we were completely asleep.
Afflicted for Four Hundred Years
But this deep sleep was also a picture of Abram's descendants. They were going to head into a deep sleep of a four hundred year sojourn in someone else's land, a foreshadowing of the slavery in Egypt (13). God said he would bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and this is precisely what he did in bringing the plagues on the Egyptians (14). And when the Egyptians had been completely overwhelmed by judgment, they finally sent the Israelites out with great possessions (14).
They Shall Come Back Here
And though Abram would die in peace at a good old age, it would be his descendants who would come back to the land of promise (15). It would occur at the fourth generation, which might've been another way to say 400 years, since the patriarchs lived around 100 years each (16).
The Iniquity of the Amorites
And why would it take so long for the promise to find fulfillment? Why did they have to wait for the promised land? God said the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete (16). He was tolerating their sins, letting it come into full bloom before he brought judgment upon them. This highlights the longsuffering nature of God. They were fallen and depraved, but the next 400 years would lead to their full corruption.
Manifold Prophecy
This passage contains many prophecies that received literal and total fulfillment. First, Abram's descendants would be sojourners in a land that is not theirs (13). Second, they would be servants in that land (13). Third, they would be afflicted there for four hundred years (13). Israel was in Egypt for 430 years but suffered for 400 (Exodus 12:40). Fourth, God would judge the nation that they serve (14). Fifth, Israel would leave that nation with great possessions (14). Sixth, Abram would not take part in this suffering but would die in peace (15). Seventh, his descendants would come back to the land of promise (16). Of course, we know now that each prophecy came to pass just as God had said.
5. Wait Through Darkness
Four hundred years is a long time. But God was willing to endure it to fulfill his promises. I doubt it was the answer Abram looked for, but it would have to suffice. God's plans are better than ours.
And when you are living in between the promise and the fulfillment, you have to learn patience while waiting through darkness. Some low years were going to hit Abram's descendants, but God was going to use those years for his purposes. He would shape a nation through the fires of trial. He does the same in us today.
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6–7, ESV).
17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."
Made A Covenant
While it was dark, God came by the image of an oven (smoking fire pot) and a flaming torch (17). Each element seems to have a connection to ancient sacrificial, or even magical, rituals. God made a covenant with Abram (18). It was a one-sided affair, in that Abram was asleep while God made his promise. It was based on God, not Abram. God would keep his covenant.
"For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself..." (Hebrews 6:13, ESV).
The Boundaries of the Land
God detailed the boundaries of the land he would give Abram's descendant (18). Though there is some debate as to whether David's reign expanded to these broad territories or not, it is clear modern-day Israel does not possess all the land God detailed. Though I very much doubt this current iteration of Israel will ever obtain all this territory, I see no reason why Christ's coming wouldn't reestablish God's promise to Israel afresh. During the millennial reign of Christ, the vast promises God made Israel throughout the Old Testament prophets will come to pass. This one will likely be included.
When Israel read this during Moses', what would they have discovered? First, they would have discovered minute prophecies God had fulfilled. Second, they would have discovered this additional promise laying out the land they would inherit. This should have emboldened them for the future God had prepared for them.
Covenantal Similarities
When Jesus died on the cross, establishing God's covenant with humanity, similarities occurred. There was darkness on the face of the land. As I said earlier, mankind was asleep or dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). Like the animals, Jesus suffered and died. The animals were split in two, and so was the veil inside the temple at Jesus' final breath. It was a dark and ominous moment.
But, through it all, Jesus has promised his people a kingdom. There is a territory he wills to give us. He desires our sanctification. He wants the church to be fruitful. And one day he will come again to establish his reign forever, and eventually a new heaven and earth.
6. Set Your Mind on the Kingdom
When living in between the promise and fulfillment, as we are today, it is good to set our minds on the kingdom of God. He has promised a glorious day will come, and when in the struggle, it is good for us to remember his promises to us. Just as Abram's descendants had the promised land to look forward to, so we have the establishment of Jesus' reign, inwardly and in the world, for which to hope.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9, ESV).
