Read Genesis 14:8-15:21; 17:1-17.
The blood covenant was the most binding of all ancient covenants. The sacrificed animals were cut into two pieces creating a pool of blood between the halves. The terms of the agreement were sealed by having both parties walk through the blood path symbolizing that if either person did not keep his part of the agreement that his own blood would be shed in return.
Abram asked God how he could be sure that he would gain possession of the land, and God answered by sending him to get animals. Abram knew what the animals were for. He knew what a blood covenant was. The interesting thing about this covenant was that the only person who walked through the blood path was God (the smoking firepot with a blazing torch). God symbolically said, “I will keep my part of the deal and your part of the deal. If either of us does not keep the covenant, I will pay with my own blood.”
The covenant God made with Abram was not just empty words, it was backed with His own blood. The blood of Christ.
Further Study: You can read about the birth of Ishmael (Abram’s first son) in Genesis 16:1-16; 17:18-27.
think about it:
when Lot chose the land... he chose to be near sodom. it was the best land between what he and abram were looking at dividing between themselves. he went for what looked best to his eyes. according to hebrews 11:1, what kind of eyes does faith look at a situation?
do you always look for what's best for you?
do you ever take a chance at "getting the short end of the stick" in something, and let God reward you?
in the story about abram, what is so powerful about blood?
why does God choose blood as a symbol of covenant?
On these verses we get to see Abrahams faith in action, or at least see how much he really has to continue with the covenant.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that our eyes show us what we want to know, but that we want to know the wrong things, as in the story of Lot. We just have to trust God and keep with his commands.
ReplyDeletegood point about the faith in action. sometimes i struggle with how far i will say "i trust you God" and not bail out and say, "this doesn't make sense", i'll take care of this myself (with selfishness, being unforgiving, relying on things of this world - things these eyes can see, or whatever.) that's what our days boil down to... did i trust God today... by being kind instead of rude, by standing up to someone who was being a jerk to another or playing it cool, did i love others or was it all about what i wanted...
ReplyDeletefaith in action... hope i get more consistent with that one!
Amen Ricky, that's exactly right. Thank you for setting up this website and working to bring us closer to Christ.
ReplyDeletethis is really weird/awesome, but i wanted to post this, so here goes:
ReplyDeleteit just so happens that me and my grandma Noni were talking about a certain point that exists in one of these verses. we were taking about how ridiculous it is how scientists try to use science prove God's existence, when, like everything else, God invented science!!
so here's my point... in Genesis 17:12, my NIV bible states, ". . . every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised. . ." well who cares you might say, but heres my point.
did you know that the coagulants [blood clotting factor (stuff that makes you stop bleeding!)] prothrombin and vitamin k are at their highest levels on the 8th day of a baby's life with (prothrombin at 110% and vitamin k at 100%)!?!?!? this would mean the blood loss would would be very minimal during the circumcision!! these factors would do the most possible blood loss preventing! God told abraham this!! He knew his all along!! he made males like this (fyi this is the only day in a male's life when these coagluants naturally reach these peaks!!) to reduce blood loss and the reduce most possible damage done to the baby!!
ISN'T OUR GOD AMAZING!?!?!
and just in case you don't believe me...
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2204
or
http://www.cedarparkchurchofchrist.org/ptalk/v5/v5n5p5.htm
Mac Mascorro