Genesis 15

[jmwhalen]

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

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There are many spiritual applications in this passage from the scripture. I thought I would share the following I was shown.

Abram gathers 5 animals(the # 5 represents grace). At this time, when 2 parties intented to make a meaningful agreement, an animal(s) was sacrificed, split open down the middle, and the 2 parties would walk hand-in-hand, up and down the path between the sacrificed animal(s). This was referred to as "cutting a covenant."

To signify the unconditional nature of the covenant, and thus demonstate that this promise to Abram was dependent on God alone and His faithfulness, and not on Abram, God put Abram into a "deep sleep."

The sun goes down, Abram is in a deep sleep, and "

[stevehut]

I'm the 25th viewer of your post, John, and now I know why no one has responded.

What are you trying to say here? Was there a question involved?

[jmwhalen]

Stevehut:

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I wrote:"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

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There are many spiritual applications in this passage from the scripture. I thought I would share the following I was shown.

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Someone showed me-I learned per Romans 15:4.

John Whalen

[Guest Genxpastor]

I'll respond to you John.

I was wondering if you had any idea why the birds weren't cut in Genesis 15? It's very difficult to interpret without knowing the covenant custom fully.

Any info would be nice.

By the way, God appeared as a cloud (Smoke) and Fire by night to the Israelites. I figure the Smoking pot and torch are just an intriguing way of saying that this is GOD.

[nebula]

First time I read this.

I'm cautious about getting stuck on one interpretation on things like this. However, I found this to be an interesting perspective. There's nothing doctrinally unsound that I saw. I wouldn't make a doctrine out of this interpretation, but I did see it as intruiging - especially the symbolism of the stones. I'm in no place to confirm or deny such; but I believe it is an interesting view of them.

Of course, I've often pondered on the significance of the stones of the high priest's breastpate, why a certain stone for a certain tribe. Nice to see someone tackling this issue!

(Must be the geologist in me. )

[jmwhalen]

Genxpastor/Nebula:

Thank you. One of the main reasons I focused on Gen. 15 is that it seems to be an "overlooked" passage-not many discussions on it. I like "diggin' for nuggets"!

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." Proverbs 25:2

A possible interpretation:

Each animal foreshadowed/pictured a distinctive aspect of the Lord Jesus Christ's perfections and work:

-heifer: His strength, vigor

-goat: sin offering aspect

-ram: in the Levitical offerings was connected specially with consecration

-birds: One from heaven

And notice "three years", repeated three times, represents the Lord Jesus Christ's time of the sacrifice-offered after three years of service.

In Christ,

John Whalen

P.S. I will be "diggin'" for more! Genesis 22 is "packed" with foreshadowing. For eg.,

"Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off." Gen. 22:4

-"the third day" represents the resurrection

Abraham and Isaac go up the mountain together(22:3), but returns to the "young men", 22:19, without Isaac! Isaac "shows up" in Gen. 24:62-this also foreshadows the resurrection.

-22:6 "And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son...."-Abraham is a type of the Father, Christ as a type of Christ-this verse represents the cross laid upon the Lord Jesus Christ

[Guest idied2]

Those slain animals pointed to Calvary, and so does the Spirit of the LORD throughout this age proclaim the glorious message, "

Edited June 27, 2004 by idied2