Introduction: God’s Covenant with Abram
Genesis 15 marks a foundational moment in the relationship between God and Abram. After Abram’s courageous rescue of Lot and his refusal to profit from Sodom’s king, God comes to Abram in a vision, saying, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1, KJV). Abram voices his concern: despite God’s past blessings, he remains childless and his heir is Eliezer of Damascus.
A Promise of Countless Descendants
In a deeply personal exchange, God leads Abram outside and tells him to count the stars—if he can. “So shall thy seed be,” God declares (Genesis 15:5). Abram believes, and the verse tells us, “he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). This moment is central to biblical theology, later cited by Paul in Romans and Galatians as the definition of justifying faith.
The Hebrew word translated as “righteousness” is tsedeq, which denotes justice, right standing, and moral clarity. Abram’s belief was not just intellectual agreement—it was a deep trust that aligned his will with God’s. This linguistic insight helps us grasp why his faith was so significant—it reflected a heart aligned with God’s own.
God’s Covenant with Abram Sealed
God then formalizes His promise with a covenant ceremony. At God’s instruction, Abram prepares specific animals and cuts them in two, laying the halves opposite each other. As night falls, Abram falls into a deep sleep, and a dreadful darkness envelops him. God reveals that Abram’s descendants will be strangers in a land not theirs—referring prophetically to their time in Egypt—where they will be afflicted 400 years, but afterward delivered with great substance.
This moment is reminiscent of God’s later covenants—with Moses at Sinai, and with David regarding the eternal throne. It foreshadows the new covenant in Christ, who would later fulfill the promises made to Abram by becoming both the sacrificial offering and the mediator of grace.
Divine Symbolism and Solemn Oath
Then, in a dramatic moment, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp pass between the pieces. This was a common covenant ritual of the ancient Near East—symbolizing that the one passing through the pieces would accept death if the covenant was broken. Yet only God passes through, unilaterally binding Himself to the promise.
This act was not merely ceremonial—it was prophetic. By walking through the pieces alone, God was saying that if the covenant was broken on either side—whether by humanity or by Himself—He would bear the consequences. This foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for the failure of humanity to uphold the covenant. In Christ, God fulfilled His oath with blood, dying in place of Israel and the world. The covenant was upheld not by mutual faithfulness, but by divine grace through sacrificial love.
The use of fire and smoke mirrors God’s presence on Mount Sinai and later in the pillar of fire in the wilderness. These symbols consistently represent God’s holiness, guidance, and unapproachable purity. That only God passed through the pieces demonstrates that the covenant was based solely on His faithfulness—not Abram’s.. This was a common covenant ritual of the ancient Near East—symbolizing that the one passing through the pieces would accept death if the covenant was broken. Yet only God passes through, unilaterally binding Himself to the promise.
The use of fire and smoke mirrors God’s presence on Mount Sinai and later in the pillar of fire in the wilderness. These symbols consistently represent God’s holiness, guidance, and unapproachable purity. That only God passed through the pieces demonstrates that the covenant was based solely on His faithfulness—not Abram’s.
Boundaries of the Promised Land
God’s covenant with Abram concludes by defining the boundaries of the land promised to Abram’s offspring—from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates, encompassing ten peoples. This geopolitical scope would shape the aspirations of Israel’s national identity for centuries.
Here, the term “covenant” (berith in Hebrew) emphasizes a binding and sacred agreement. Unlike human contracts that may be conditional, berith conveys God’s absolute commitment. The boundaries promised signify not just land, but identity, legacy, and divine purpose.
Conclusion: God’s Covenant with Abram
The phrase “God’s covenant with Abram” captures the heart of this chapter. It is the beginning of a formalized divine-human agreement that spans generations. The covenant confirms Abram’s role in redemptive history, not based on works but on faith. God’s initiative and grace take center stage, underscoring His sovereignty and faithfulness.
Genesis 15 reveals the depth of God’s faithfulness and Abram’s growing trust. It also introduces the covenant framework that undergirds the rest of redemptive history. Despite future delays and setbacks, the foundation of faith and promise is firmly laid in this chapter. Just as Abram trusted God’s covenant, believers today can rest in the assurance that God’s promises never fail.