Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Genesis 15:17-18
17 After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River...
17 After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River...
Commentary:
15:17 When the sun had gone down. The final part of the ritual occurs after sunset. Since vv. 1–6 assume a nighttime setting, Abram may have spent much of the day preparing the animals. a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch. These are taken to be symbolic of God’s presence, which is often associated with fire (e.g., Ex. 13:21–22).
15:17 The flame, symbolizing God, passes between the pieces, symbolizing that God himself will bear the penalty if the promise is broken. Ultimately, Christ bears the penalty for our disobedience.
15:17 The flame, symbolizing God, passes between the pieces, symbolizing that God himself will bear the penalty if the promise is broken. Ultimately, Christ bears the penalty for our disobedience.
Questions:
- In Genesis chapter 15, we see Abraham ask God why it’s taking so long for him to receive his promised son. God answers him with a covenant. God promises in blood to keep up His end of the bargain, whether Abraham does or not. He makes Himself responsible for BOTH sides of the covenant. When you mess up, He stays committed. What does it do for your faith and confidence in God to know that no matter how badly you stumble, you can always get up and press on because God’s commitment to you never changes? Is there a mistake that you need to get up and move on from?
- This should be such a comforting thought for Jesus followers. Jesus Himself bore the penalty of our sin, once and for all. He made a covenant with us with His own blood. And He now upholds His end of the covenant whether we do or not. When we are not faithful, He ALWAYS is. Take some time today and meditate on that humbling thought. Write out some prayers of gratitude to God for His unimaginable grace and faithfulness.
Pray:
- That you would remember that Jesus paid your fine, now and forever.
- That you would have a grateful heart knowing that when you aren't faithful, He always is.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
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