This briefing document reviews key themes and important ideas presented in the provided excerpts from "Stars and Blood," a discourse on Genesis 15. The speaker delves into the biblical narrative to highlight God's character, His unconditional promises to Abraham, and the enduring nature of faith and salvation across testaments.
I. God's Unconditional Protection and Promise to Abraham
The discourse begins by setting the context of Genesis 15, immediately following Abraham's victory over the five kings in Genesis 14. This victory, achieved "by the power of God," establishes God as Abraham's "shield" and "defense."
God as Shield and Great Reward: Following Abraham's refusal of spoils from the king of Sodom – a deliberate act to ensure "God to be able to say that he made Abram great" – God affirms His role. The Lord declares to Abraham, I am your shield your reward shall be very great.
This establishes God as the ultimate protector and source of blessing, beyond any earthly reward.
The Promise of an Heir: Abraham, despite God's promise of great reward, questions how this will manifest given his childless state, lamenting, Oh Lord God what will you give me for I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eleazar of Damascus.
He expresses a desire, not doubt, for God to fulfill this promise. God directly addresses this, stating, This man shall not be your heir your very own son shall be your heir.
This reaffirms the promise of a direct biological descendant.
Offspring as Numerous as the Stars: To illustrate the magnitude of this promise, God leads Abraham outside and instructs him to Look toward heaven and number the stars if you are able to number them so shall your offspring be.
This vivid imagery underscores the vastness of Abraham's future descendants. The Hebrew word for "offspring" is grammatically singular, meaning a "collective of people," not necessarily a singular individual like Jesus, although Jesus is "one of the children of Abraham."
II. Justification by Faith and Imputed Righteousness
A central theological point derived from Genesis 15:6 is the doctrine of justification by faith.
Abraham's Belief as Righteousness: The text states, Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord counted it to him as righteousness.
The speaker emphasizes that Abraham "didn't do anything; he heard the promise of God... and he believes it." This belief, not any action or inherent righteousness on Abraham's part, was credited to him as righteousness.
Imputed, Not Infused, Righteousness: The speaker meticulously explains the concept of "imputed righteousness," distinguishing it from "infused righteousness." He states, It was not infused into him... he still made mistakes... but God counted it to him as righteousness.
This means God "wiped away your transgressions" and considered Abraham righteous based on his faith, rather than making him perfectly righteous instantaneously. This sets a precedent for how God interacts with humanity.
III. The Covenant-Cutting Ceremony: A Unique and Unconditional Bond
Abraham's request for assurance regarding the land promise leads to a profound and unusual covenant-cutting ceremony.
"How Am I to Know?": Abraham seeks certainty regarding the promised land, asking, Oh Lord God how am I to know that I shall possess it?
This is presented not as doubt, but as a desire for concrete assurance.
Ancient Near Eastern Covenant Practice: God instructs Abraham to prepare animals, which Abraham takes the liberty of cutting them all in half for God... laid each half over against the other.
This was a "moderately well attested ancient Near Eastern practice of cutting a covenant." Both parties would walk between the severed animal halves, invoking a self-curse: May God do to me this if I break this covenant.
Abraham's Expectation vs. God's Action: Abraham is ready to fulfill his part, but instead "the Lord puts Abram to sleep." While Abraham is in a "deep sleep," a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between the pieces.
This signifies an unconditional, unilateral covenant where God alone bears responsibility for its fulfillment. The speaker compares it to "an adoption contract where the parents adopt a child... the onus is on the father and the mother not on the child."
The "I Am the Lord Who Brought You Out" Motif: This phrase anticipates the Exodus narrative, reinforcing God's consistent character as rescuer and deliverer, both for Abraham and for His people Israel, and ultimately for individuals from "sin out of death."
Foreshadowing the Exodus: The "smoking firepot and a flaming torch" directly foreshadow God's presence as a "pillar of fire and a pillar of smoke" leading Israel out of Egypt, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenantal faithfulness.
IV. The Scope of the Promise and Its Spiritual Fulfillment
The covenant details the vast land promised to Abraham's offspring, extending from the river of Egypt to the great river the river Euphrates.
The speaker notes, "Israel has never held all that land at one time," suggesting a future, perhaps eschatological, fulfillment in Christ's kingdom.
Defining Abraham's Offspring: The discourse extends the definition of Abraham's "offspring" beyond physical descendants. Citing Galatians 3:1-9, the speaker emphasizes: It is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Continuity of Salvation by Faith: This passage connects Old Testament salvation with New Testament salvation: "God doesn't change... Abraham is saved by believing the promises of God and we his spiritual children are saved by believing the promises of God."
The Gospel of Christ as the Ultimate Promise: For believers, the promise centers on Jesus Christ: Today we have the promise that because Jesus was God... he died to pay the price for sins that we have committed.
Salvation through Belief in Christ: Just as Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness, so too belief in Christ's atoning death and resurrection: If you believe... then the Lord will count it to you as righteousness.
This reiterates the concept of imputed righteousness, where God erases sin and credits Christ’s perfect life instead.
Adoption into God's Family: The speaker concludes with the theme of adoption: We are adopted by God into his family... into Abraham's family into God's family same family.
In summary, "Stars and Blood" presents Genesis 15 as a foundational text revealing God's character as a faithful, unconditional covenant-maker. Through Abraham's journey, the discourse illuminates divine protection, imputed righteousness, and the enduring nature of God's promises, culminating in the adoption of all who believe in Christ into Abraham's, and ultimately, God's family.
