seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 15:15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,[a]
your very great reward.(b)”
2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,[a]
your very great reward.(b)”
2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
Genesis 15:1 Or sovereign
Genesis 15:1 Or shield; / your reward will be very great
Genesis 15:2 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
The easy english commentary has this to say about these verses.
Verse 1 ‘After that’ may mean some time later, rather than immediately. Abram had refused a reward from the King of Sodom. God promised Abram a much greater reward.
Verses 2-3 The Hebrew text here is difficult. A servant could inherit goods if his owner had no children. That was a custom. Such a servant was usually young. His master would adopt him as a son.
We do not know anything about Eliezer. But perhaps he is the same man as Abram’s chief servant in chapter 24. If so, Eliezer was very loyal to his master.
Verses 2-3 The Hebrew text here is difficult. A servant could inherit goods if his owner had no children. That was a custom. Such a servant was usually young. His master would adopt him as a son.
We do not know anything about Eliezer. But perhaps he is the same man as Abram’s chief servant in chapter 24. If so, Eliezer was very loyal to his master.
[I added the link to Eliezer's name in the easy english commentary]
Another commentary puts it this way.
The word of the Lord came to people in the Bible in many different ways. It might come by a personal appearance of God, by an audible voice, by visions or dreams, by the ministry of angels, by the working of the Spirit of God upon the mind, by the making alive of a passage of Scripture to the heart, or by the ministry of a prophet or preacher.
There was a good reason why God said this; Abram had just defeated a much larger army from a confederation of five kings. He had reason to be afraid because an attack of retribution was to be expected.
Abram needed a shield because he expected to be attacked. He needed reward because he had denied himself great reward offered from the king of Sodom.
God told Abram this because he was afraid, and afraid for good reasons. Yet God also gave him a reason to put away his fear. God never tells us do not be afraid without giving us a reason to put away our fear.
There was a good reason why God said this; Abram had just defeated a much larger army from a confederation of five kings. He had reason to be afraid because an attack of retribution was to be expected.
Abram needed a shield because he expected to be attacked. He needed reward because he had denied himself great reward offered from the king of Sodom.
God told Abram that though he had sacrificed for His sake, he would not be the loser for it. God would more than make up what Abram gave unto the Lord.
God knows how to become the answer to our need. When we need a shield or a reward, He becomes those things for us.
God knows how to become the answer to our need. When we need a shield or a reward, He becomes those things for us.
God told Abram this because he was afraid, and afraid for good reasons. Yet God also gave him a reason to put away his fear. God never tells us do not be afraid without giving us a reason to put away our fear.
Though certainly Abram appreciated the promise from God, at the same time, there was perhaps a sense in which it sounded empty to Abram. It was as if Abram said, What good is it that You are my shield and reward? The only thing Ive ever wanted with any passion in my life is a son! Where are the descendants You promised me?
Abrams bold honesty before the Lord is a wonderful example. Instead of holding in his frustration, he brought it before God with an honest heart.
To some degree, this question doubted God. Yet we can discern the difference between a doubt that denies Gods promise and a doubt that desires Gods promise. Abram wanted to believe and looked to God to strengthen his faith.
It is almost as if Abram meant, Lord, You've given me lots of stuff, and now promise to give me more, and to protect me. But what good is it if I dont have a descendant to give it to? I want the son You promised me!
Eliezer of Damascus was Abrams chief assistant, his right-hand man. He was a good man, but not a son to Abram.
Eliezer of Damascus was Abrams chief assistant, his right-hand man. He was a good man, but not a son to Abram.
Abrams bold honesty before the Lord is a wonderful example. Instead of holding in his frustration, he brought it before God with an honest heart.
To some degree, this question doubted God. Yet we can discern the difference between a doubt that denies Gods promise and a doubt that desires Gods promise. Abram wanted to believe and looked to God to strengthen his faith.
I had never considered these verses in this way before. Whenever I read them in the past, I figured God was saying either "Don't be afraid... It's me God" or "Don't be afraid, I'll stand up to my side of the bargain." I never considered the fact that Abram had just taken on 5 kings in the Middle East to save his nephew Lot.
In today's CNN context that would be like going in covertly and rescuing a hostage.
