Genesis 15 - The Gospel in the Old Testament

In chapter 14 of Genesis, we saw Abram go to battle to recover Lot and his belongings, and how the Lord delivered four kings and their armies into his hand. Upon his return, we were introduced to this mysterious individual, Melchizedek, who had no father or mother, beginning or ending of days. He was called the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. Due to the reasons we discussed last time, it would appear he was Jesus Christ pre-incarnate. In chapter 15, we will see the Lord appear again to Abram, and confirm His covenant with him.

Now after returning from the battle and meeting Melchizedek, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, and told him to fear not. Apparently, Abram was fearful, possibly because he was afraid those four nations would re-group and come back to regain what they had lost. Abram, his family, and all he owned would be at risk. The Lord told him to fear not, for He was his shield and exceeding great reward. This is the first time the words shield and reward appear in the Bible. Abram had no need to fear, for the Lord was his protector. He had refused to take any of the spoil from the battle, but the Lord was his reward. Not only was He his reward, He was his exceedingly great reward. The Psalmist wrote, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psa 84:11) For believers, the Lord is everything they need Him to be, and will give them everything that is good for them.

In response to God’s word, Abram replied, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” In other words, God had given him these promises of protection and provision, but the promise of descendants still remained unfulfilled. Abram called Him ‘Lord God’ (Adonay Jehovah), Adonay meaning master or Lord, and Jehovah being the Hebrew name for God. So, Abram is showing reverence or respect for God by placing himself as the servant, yet he is also coming to the Lord with his questions. He continued, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” You can hear some frustration in this as well. It is normal and even biblical for believers to take their questions and frustrations to the Lord, as long as they remember He is Lord GOD and they are His servants.

Then the word of the Lord came again to Abram, and He told him that his servant would not be his heir, but it would be someone from his own body. A couple of chapters ago the Lord told Abram his descendants would be as the dust of the earth, but here He took Abram outside to look at the stars, telling him they will be as numerous as the stars if he could count them.

It is here that we see one of the most famous verses in the Old Testament. It states that Abram believed IN the Lord, and the Lord accounted it to him for righteousness. The word ‘accounted’ means to charge, impute, or reckon, and is essentially the same as the word Paul uses in Romans 4. In fact, Paul quotes from this very verse (V 6) in making his case that man cannot be justified by works, and therefore, must be justified by faith. Thus far, we have already seen some of Abram’s failures, so we know he was not good enough.

This is also the first time the word “believe” and “righteousness” appear in the Bible, and this passage is quoted four times in the New Testament in support of God’s imputed righteousness based on faith. This is the Gospel in the Old Testament, Abraham believed in (put his trust in) the Lord, and the Lord credited His righteousness to him. This is one of the ways we can have 100 percent certainty we will go to Heaven when we die, because we have been Given Jesus’ righteousness instead of our own. Abram also believed the promise of God that he would have a son from his own body who would, interestingly enough, be a figure of Jesus Christ who justifies the ungodly. Martin Luther said, “When the article of justification has fallen, everything has fallen…. This is the chief article from which all other doctrines have flowed…. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves, and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour.”

The Lord next reiterates His promise to Abram that he and his descendants will inherit the land of Canaan, and Abram asked how he should know that he would inherit it? This man of faith still struggled with doubt. He did not have a title deed or anything showing his ownership of the land, so asking for a confirmation was understandable. The Lord would give him quite a remarkable confirmation.

Then the Lord made a covenant with Abram, specifically a blood covenant. A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties, and a blood covenant is the most solemn of these. In this type of covenant, the parties involved would cut the animals in pieces, and then lay them in two rows with enough space for the parties to walk between them. The parties would then walk between the slaughtered animals, and it was a way of saying “may this be done to me if I do not keep my oath.” I recently heard that this is where the wedding tradition of the groom and bride walking down the aisle between the two groups of people came from. The most solemn of oaths…

So, the Lord told Abram to take a heifer, a female goat, a ram (all of them three years old), a dove and a pigeon, for which Abram cut them in pieces except for the birds. For whatever reason, we are told the vultures came down to eat the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. Even in those times when believers are engaging in obedient service and sacrifice to the Lord, the consequences of the Fall and the devil are still present as a nagging reminder of sin.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep and a thick and dreadful darkness fell on Abram. He told him to know for certain that his descendants would be strangers in a land that is not theirs, they will be their servants, and would be afflicted by them for 400 years. The Lord said He would judge that nation whom they served and bring them out with great substance. This was remarkably fulfilled after the Lord killed all the firstborn of Egypt and brought the children of Israel out with great possessions (Exodus 12:35-41). Abram would not see the fulfillment of this part of the promise, but would die at a good old age. They would come back to Canaan in the 4th generation. The reason the Lord gave for this was interesting: He told Abram that his descendants could not yet have this land because the iniquity of the Amorites was not full (complete). Many take occasion with the fact that the Lord told Joshua to wipe them out completely, but the Lord gave them hundreds of years to repent. If you study the Canaanite cultures, they were steeped in some of the worst forms of idolatry you can imagine, which involved grotesque sexual practices and human sacrifice. By the time of Joshua these nations were beyond repair, and they would have only served to bring others down with them. It was much like a rabid dog: Once the dog has rabies, he is incurable, and will only bite and infect others. The fact that the Lord would give them 400 years to repent is an amazing testament to the patience and long-suffering of God.

So, after the sun had gone down, the Lord appeared to Abram in the form of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, and He passed between the pieces. Notice Abram was not walking between the pieces, but was passively watching. This was a unilateral covenant, meaning God was the only one who participated, and therefore its certainty was based on who God is alone. As one commentator put it, “God put His Deity on the line as a confirmation of His oath to Abram.”

Lastly, the Lord tells Abram the boundaries of the land He will give to his descendants. As we discussed in chapter 12, the border starts at the Nile River and extends all the way to the Euphrates. This includes modern-day Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, part of Turkey, and all of Israel including the West Bank and Gaza. In all the debate amongst the nations over the borders of Israel, these are them right here in Genesis 15. Imagine pushing for that in the UN today. I’m just glad it’s not ultimately in their hands (although they believe to the contrary).

In conclusion, there is a blood covenant with believers today, and it is the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. It is made sure by His resurrection from the dead. No one else went to the cross to shed His blood in order to pay for our sins but Jesus. It is a unilateral covenant based on the faithfulness of God alone. Like Abram, we too can believe in God, and it will be accounted to us for righteousness. This is the only way, for no righteousness but Jesus’ righteousness will do.

 

Additional Links

 

What was a blood covenant

An addendum on Tithing

As an addendum to our discussion last week on tithing, I wanted to expound a bit more on what I was saying. We see a model or pattern of giving a tithe from Abraham on down through Jacob, and then it became required under the Old Testament law. When we get to the New Testament, the tithe is not given to us as a requirement, but as we discussed last time, we are told to sow abundantly with a cheerful heart. When we do so, the Lord will allow us to reap abundantly. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like more than the tithe to me, both on the giving and receiving end.

We are not under the law any more, but we are under Grace. Therefore, love and gratitude should govern our actions, including giving, rather than compulsion. What makes us want to give more, being commanded to give a certain amount, or feeling free to give whatever is on our hearts? I’m reminded of when Moses took an offering for the supplies needed to build the tabernacle, and the Lord told him to take an offering of everyone who would give it with a willing heart (Exo 25:1-9). Because the people felt at liberty to give what was on their hearts, they gave so much, Moses later had to tell them to stop giving (Exo 36:2-7). So then, the law of love is better than the law of compulsion.

Many preachers and evangelists over the years have attempted strong-arming people into giving, and ultimately, it does not work. They have to resort to guilt trips and other forms of manipulation to try to get more money out of people. In contrast, when the Lord is moving in people’s lives and leadership simply communicates the need, people want to give.

However, for those who do want to give cheerfully, 10% is a good principle to follow. The tithe was given off the first fruits, meaning off the top, and comes from an agrarian society in which they would simply bring a tenth of the increase from their crops or herds. In today’s economy, that would be tithing off the gross rather than the net if you are an employee. If you are self-employed, you would tithe off the increase from each job. The purpose of the tithe was to provide for the priests and Levites so they could focus on the ministry. If individuals and families gave just 10% of their incomes, it would eliminate a lot of financial problems in the Church. To illustrate, let’s look at the median household income in the U.S. Median simply means middle, and this means that half of the income earners in the U.S. will make more than this figure, and half will earn less. As of May 2026, the median household income is estimated to be $88,480. For simplicity, we’ll just round this down to $88 thousand. Ten percent of $88 thousand is $8,800, so this means a person or family who gives regularly to their local church with a median household income of $88 thousand will tithe $8,800 annually. If we take a small church with, say, 25 individuals or families, this comes out to $220 thousand annually. This would allow the church to pay its pastor $88 thousand, and leave $132 thousand left for the church to pay its bills and fund whatever ministries it sees fit. They could even pay their pastor $100 thousand, and still have more than half left over. If the church has 50 individuals or families, this brings the total from just tithes to $440 thousand, and it goes on from there. As we can see, everyone in the church tithing regularly sets up a church well financially, assuming that church doesn’t have debt and leadership otherwise manages the finances well.

The main take-away is, give to your local church before you give to any other ministries or charities. It is how you take care of your pastor and his family. If you want to give more, by all means give more, but, again, 10% is really a reasonable amount to give. Besides, it’s all the Lord’s anyway. Before you apply any of the other biblical principles for handling money, be a giver, and the Lord promises to reward those who do.

In conclusion, consider the following Scriptures:

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Pro 3:9-10)

“‘You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. ‘And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the Lord of hosts; ‘And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:9-12)

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

And finally, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Co 9:6-7)

Genesis 14 - The King of Righteousness

Last time in Genesis, we saw how God blessed Abram, and told him He would multiply his descendants as the dust of the earth. Abram gave Lot the first choice of the land, for which Lot chose the plain of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Lot chose earthly riches, and Abram chose the riches of the kingdom of God.

When we pick up in Genesis 14, the two kings in the area of Babylon, the king of the area of Persia, and a king of a confederate of nations are going to war with five kings in the plain of Jordan, which included the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. These were not kings of large nations or empires, but kings over city-states. The kings of the plain served the king of Persia 12 years, and in the 13th year they rebelled. In the Bible, the number 13 is associated with rebellion.

So, in the 14th year, the king of Persia and the other three kings came down to battle with them in the area of the Dead Sea, an area in southeastern Israel. They began their invasion in the area that is today the country of Jordan, starting in what used to be Moab, then moving south to Edom and Mount. Seir, and then westward towards the plains of Jordan to battle these five kings. On their way, they wiped out four tribes of peoples, as well as the Amalekites and Amorites that live there. Archeologists have since uncovered the ruins of these civilizations, and they were completely wiped out and plundered.

Well, the five kings, watching this take place, saw this as their opportunity to join the fray and be rid of the alliance of Persia and the other three kings. However, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were beaten there and fled. At this time there were an abundance of tar pits in the area, and some of them fell into them. This is the same type of tar that was used in building the tower of Babel, as well as what Noah used to cover the ark. Apparently, when Rockefeller read this passage, he figured where there was tar there should be oil, and the rest is history. The remainder fled into the mountains to hide from these five kings.

Then the kings of Persia and those with him took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and they also took Lot and all his goods. If we remember from the previous chapter, Lot had pitched his tent toward Sodom, but by this time he was living in Sodom. This was a trouble Lot could have well avoided if he hadn’t chosen to live amongst wicked people.

Then someone that escaped the battle came and told Abram the Hebrew what had happened. This is the first time we see the word Hebrew mentioned in the Bible, and was either a reference to Abram’s ancestor Eber, or the fact he had crossed the Euphrates River to come into Canaan (the root of Hebrew means passed over or passenger). Abram was still living by the Terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, who had two brothers, Eshcol and Aner. These three were allies with Abram, probably a wise move in those times.

When Abram heard this, he took 318 of his own trained servants, along with the three brothers he was allied with and their men, and pursued after them. He left Hebron and pursued them over 120 miles to Dan in the northern part of Israel, and surprise attacked them at night. He then chased them another 45 miles or so into Syria near Damascus. This is no small feat that Abram took on: First, Abram would have to have had substantial wealth to keep on 318 servants trained for battle. Second, traveling close to 170 miles was quite the march. Third, he was probably severely outnumbered, thus the reason for the surprise attack. Abram and his men were able to defeat those four kings and recover Lot, all the spoil taken, and the women and the people. So, Abram, the man that had a lapse of faith a couple of chapters ago, now showed tremendous faith and courage in going to recover his nephew, Lot. Practically speaking, this would have taken great skill and planning as well. Being a person of faith does not mean we turn off our brains or neglect the gifts God has given us, but it is our faith that takes those gifts and skills to their highest potential.

Now we get to this interesting person Melchizedek.  When Abram returned from the slaughter of the kings, Melchizedek king of Salem met him, and brought forth bread and wine. He blessed Abram and credited the Lord for Abram’s victory over the four kings. Abram then gave him tithes of all the spoil. We see here the first mention of the tithe. The tithe just means one tenth, so Abram gave him one tenth of all. A pattern we see throughout the Bible is that paying tithes to the Lord was a common practice. Abram did it, later we will see that Jacob did it, and it is later commanded under the law of Moses. Paying tithes specifically is not commanded in the New Testament, but I believe it is a good starting point for giving. Personally, when I find myself not wanting to give 10% of my income, it has meant I am holding onto my money too tightly. In the New Testament we are told to be liberal givers. The apostle Paul wrote, “But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) So we are to give abundantly with a cheerful heart, and the Lord promises to bless us when we do.

There has been a lot of debate who Melchizedek is, but what we learn from Genesis 14 is that he is the king of Salem, which is the king of peace (see Isaiah 9:6). Salem is also the early name for Jerusalem. It states that Melchizedek was also priest of God most high (El Elyon). In the Old Testament, kings and priests were not allowed to share their offices. He brought out bread and wine, which should remind us of something, the communion table. It is a sign of the new Covenant in Jesus Christ.

The author of Hebrews writes, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest Continually.” (Hebrews 7:1-3) So we see he was called the king of Righteousness, and in another place in the Bible a similar title is given to Jesus Christ. Jeremiah writes, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6)

According to the Scriptures, Melchizedek was without father or mother, he had no beginning of days nor end of life (i.e. he was not created), but was likened to the Son of God. The only one I know who was not created and that has and will exist for all eternity is God himself. John says of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) Since Jesus was in the beginning with God (the Father), is himself God, and has created all things, it would seem that this Melchizedek could be none other than a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. John records a conversation that Jesus had with the Jews. “’Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” (John 8:56-58) It is quite possible this ‘day’ Abraham saw and was glad was this appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis 14. What I have covered may not answer all the questions held by those of the opposing view, but it does seem the greater part of the evidence lends itself to Melchizedek being an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany).

Lastly, the king of Sodom also came out to meet Abram, but he paid Melchizedek no tithe. He offered Abram all the spoil from the battle, but Abram had taken a vow not to keep anything except for the food of his trained men and the portion of the men who were confederate with him. Abram did not want anyone but the Lord receiving the glory for the battle that was won, and the material blessing that he had. He did not want the wicked king of Sodom taking any credit for the success the Lord had given him.

In application, are we willing to trust God and courageously fight for our families when necessary? Are we willing to use the gifts and abilities He has given us to aid us in this? We are in a battle like none other for the souls of our children and loved ones, maybe some of them like Lot, but we should not give up on them just like Abram didn’t. Abram had to take on substantial risk to rescue his nephew, and we may have to do the same in one way or another. The good news is God is with us in this battle, and He will ensure our ultimate victory.

In summary, we have seen the Lord’s deliverance and provision in chapter 14 as He defeated the armies of the four kings and saved Lot and all that He had by Abram’s hand. We also see the introduction of Melchizedek whose significance is not seen until much later in the Scriptures. In chapter 15 we will see the Lord confirm His covenant with Abram by an oath, and promise him a son of his own body.