Read it: Genesis 15:6-17
Live it:
In our readings today, we see a description of the ANE Suzerainty Treaty. Basically, it is an agreement between a superior power and a lesser one. Some of which still survive today.
The Suzerain would keep one copy of the treaty, and the vassal would keep one copy of the treaty. A number of ratifying ceremonies were used depending upon the era and culture. But the most widely used rite was that of cutting the bodies of animals in halves and placing them in two rows with enough space between for the two parties of the treaty to walk side by side. As they walked between the pieces, they were vowing to each other that “May what has happened to these animals happen to me if I break this covenant with you.” This is from the Suzerain Treaties & The Covenant Documents the Bible.
Abram would have (without question) been very aware of the ramifications of what God was preparing to do when he was asked to prepare for this ceremony. Can you imagine his excitement and anticipation when the … LORD told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon” (Genesis 15:9 NLT). If it had been me, I’d have been excited beyond belief and yelled “I’m getting to participate with God in this awesome ceremony, promising each other loyalty and protection. Wow! This is incredible!” Be honest with me; wouldn’t you be excited if you had that opportunity?
Now, here’s the caveat. Instead of Abram walking between the divided halves, Abram is chasing birds. Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away (Genesis 15:11). God took responsibility for both sides of the transaction. After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses (Genesis 15:17). God took a conditional covenantal treaty and made it an unconditional covenant agreement. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3: quoting Genesis 15:6).
What does this mean for us today? If we believe in the promises of God and trust in Jesus Christ, God counts us as righteous.
Ps. Gary