The Word for today:
Genesis 16, 17
Genesis 16, 17
From the very earliest pages of scripture we note that the images of salvation are solitary.
In the third chapter of the Bible, we are told that a single seed of the woman will defeat evil:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)
In the 15th chapter, God makes an appearance as a flaming torch, gliding through the dark between the glistening pieces of a butchered animal:
God said to Abraham, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. (Genesis 15: 9-10, 17)
God said to Abraham, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."
And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. (Genesis 15: 9-10, 17)
It was customary that the parties to an agreement walked together “between the pieces.” This symbolized that if either party were to break his word, he would be sundered like that animal had been. So when God passed between the pieces alone--while Abraham slept--he unilaterally guaranteed both sides of the agreement.
In Leviticus, when the High Priest offers the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, he enters the Holiest Place alone. This is another prophetic picture of the sole Savior.
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Achieved alone, salvation is received in the same way. The tale is abroad, as if told by the wind: a lone soldier dies sundered in the battle for the soul.
But hearts that can hear won’t let it end that way. They change the story by the only means they have--they enter into it:
“He didn’t just die,” they’ll tell you. “He died for me.”
You can enter in too. Just make that your prayer.
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Franklyn: You are so right on!!! I love reading your scriptural lessons. Here is another example of your great work: "So when GOD passed between the pieces alone....." This is so right on. Hebrews 6:13 confirms that, " when GOD could find no one greater HE swore by HIMSELF." Thus insuring that this covenant between GOD and man would be fulfilled. By doing this HE made it clear that man had a very secondary part in this deal. Kind of a silent partner.
ReplyDeleteAll the pictures and shadows find their realities in Hebrews (8:5). I need to re-read it 100 more times (to begin with).
ReplyDeleteI'll see you there!
Franklyn: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Hebrews 8:8 tells me that GOD himself found fault with the old Abraham covenant because the old agreement did not work! If had there would not have been a need for another to replace it! But the people never kept their part of the partnership. Plus the blood that was shed in the old covenant was the blood of bulls and goats and Hebrews 4 says that even though the old covenant was established by GOD HIMSELF it was still not complete. It was going to take HOLY BLOOD mixed with the DNA of man to complete this new and complete covenant. Thus in John 19 when Jesus said from the cross "it is finished," it was. The secret mystery plan was finally revealed and completed. Don't you just love it!!!
ReplyDeleteShadows can't save: nothing but the blood of Jesus!
ReplyDelete