Walk In Newness of Life Pt 18 God Entirely Keeps the King and Vassal Treaty.

The king-vassal treaty. 

Genesis 15:7-8  And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8  And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 

This section begins the king and vassal treaty that we studied in our last post. Abraham received affirmation of the promise from Jehovah and he responded by asking God a question. He was seeking some type of sign from Jehovah that would bring assurance to his heart.  

Cutting the animals in pieces warns of failure to comply. 

Genesis 15:9  And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10) And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11) And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 

God's answer was for Abraham to prepare a sacrifice with five specific animals. He divided or cut them in pieces in the proper order. We noted that this connected with the phrase "cutting a deal." The cut pieces were to remind the king and vassal of their solemn obligation to keep the treaty or else they would suffer the same fate. Abraham maintained a faithful vigil as he waited for Jehovah. He made sure the sacrifice was pure and whole by driving away the fowls.

Darkness and terror are in the future.

Genesis 15:12  And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 

The sun set and a deep sleep from God fell upon Abraham. It was accompanied by a feeling of terror and a notable period of darkness. Prophetically, this foreshadowed the Hebrews  being slaves in Egypt for more than 400 years. 

A promise brings hope.

Genesis 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14)  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15) And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16) But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

The Lord Himself interprets what Abraham saw. The fowls of the air seeking to devour the sacrifice represent the future offspring of Abraham. His offspring, known as the Hebrews, would go into Egypt and be enslaved for four hundred years. Then, God will judge the Egyptians and lead the Hebrews out of captivity (Genesis 37 through Exodus 13).

Abraham was going to enjoy a long life with peaceful conditions. 

Symbols of fire and smoke point to God. 

Genesis 15:17  And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 

The sign of confirmation from God came. You see the sacrifice made, the driving away of the fowls and the great darkness are essentially happening at the same time. Thus, when the sun went down Abraham saw a most remarkable sight. 

What Abraham saw was God manifested in two forms. First was a smoking furnace. This would have looked like a cylindrical portable oven commonly used in ancient times. The other object that he saw looked like a blazing torch. Thus, two symbols were seen that involved fire and smoke. 

What does the smoking furnace and burning lamp symbolize? God walked between the sacrificed animals by Himself. He was ratifying this covenant with Abraham as He passed between the pieces. He made this agreement with Himself, not trusting any human effort to keep this covenant.

Exodus 13:21-22  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22) He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 

The symbols foreshadow how Jehovah would lead His people through the wilderness after He delivered them from Egyptian bondage. He appeared as a mighty column of fire each night and as a pillar or column of smoke by day. 

Deuteronomy 4:23-24  Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. 24) For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. 

Moses tells us that God will be a consuming fire to His people if they deviate from His covenant and plunge into idolatry. The fire represents the holiness of God and His refusal to allow sin into His presence. 

Deuteronomy 9:3  Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. 

Moses speaks again to tell us that as a consuming fire, Jehovah will destroy the enemies of God's people. The fire represents God's judgment upon the nations for their rebellion and idolatry. 

Exodus 19:18  And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 

Thus, the combined symbols of fire and smoke that Abraham saw, would also be seen by his offspring hundreds of years later, when God came down to give them His law. 

Psalm 119:105   Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

The flaming torch is also a powerful symbol. It reminds us of the Word of God. His truth enlightens our soul, just as it did for Abraham. It drives away the darkness of a sin cursed world and shows us the glory of God and His Christ. Light from His Word gives us hope, shows us the way that we should walk and keeps us from stumbling. 

The King's promise is sure and secure.  

Gen 15:18-21  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19)  The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20) And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21) And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. 

Jehovah promised that He would take the land away from ten nations and give it to Abraham's seed. God condescended to Abraham in making this covenant with him and his offspring. It was a gracious act that foreshadowed the humbling of Jesus Christ coming to the world as a man to die on a cross for our sins (Philippians 2:5-11).

What does it all mean?

1. God swore by Himself to keep both sides of the agreement. 

Hebrews 6:13-15  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14) Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15) And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 

God will keep both sides (king & vassal) of this agreement. This means that the Abrahamic covenant cannot fail and cannot be voided. Normally both the king and the vassal would walk together between the cut pieces of animals holding hands to ratify the treaty and to acknowledge the fate of either party who does not keep the terms of the agreement. It reminds us that salvation is all of God. 

Matthew 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Christ our King made sure the laws of the treaty will not be broken. Jesus perfectly kept all the law of God, fulfilling it perfectly and His perfect righteousness is granted to us when we believe on Him. (See Colossians 1:15-23; 2:12-15; Ephesians 2:13-16; and Hebrews 10:1-10; 12:1-2). 

2. The King must protect us from our enemies. 

Hebrews 2:14-15  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  

The work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection destroyed the devil who previously had the power of death over all sinners, because the wages of sin is death. 

1 Corinthians 15:53-58  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

The great promise of our King is victory over death, the grave, hell and the devil! (See also 1 Corinthians 15:23-28). Protection for the daily battles and struggles of life are assured and protection for eternal life are already the believer's possession. 

3. Our King must provide help to us. 

Deuteronomy 4:29 -31 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30) When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31)  (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. 

Moses reminds us of a great truth from God. If we sincerely seek Him we will find Him. When troubles come our way, we will find His help when we turn to Him because He promised never to leave or forsake us. 

John 14:16-16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Jesus promised to send us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God to indwell us and to stay with us through this life and eternity. The Spirit is our mighty helper, teacher, guide and He fights for us in the battles of spiritual warfare. (See also Hebrews 4:14-16). 

4. We must serve Christ our King, and no others. 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Luke 16:13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Serving Jesus Christ should be the greatest joy that we have in this life. Jesus paid it all, He suffered all, He rose for our justification. He is our risen Lord and King and it is the highest honor to serve Him in whatever capacity that we can. This is why there are so many imperatives about walking the worthy walk, walking  honestly, walking circumspectly, and so on. What we believe about Christ must shape how we live.  We are not saved to serve ourselves and give in to our fleshly cravings. We were saved to walk in newness of life. 

5. We must live by our King's laws.

Luke 6:46-49  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47)  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49) But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. 

The test for each believer is whether or not we obey Christ's commands. Jesus told His followers that their profession of Him as Lord is false if they do not do the things that He said to do. Hearing and doing His word is the mark of a born again child of God. 

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 

John 14:23-24  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 

Notice what our King says to His subjects. "Keep my commandments." This is the litmus test that determines the reality of our profession. 

We can rejoice that the covenant of salvation is anchored completely in the work and person of Jesus Christ. May this be a blessing to us and encourage us to live for His glory each day!

Bob