One of the strangest scenes in the Bible. Animals slaughtered, split in half, arranged with a path between them. Vultures circling. Abram driving them away. Then deep sleep, dreadful darkness, and fire passing through. In ancient covenants, both parties walked through the pieces—a self-curse if either failed. But Abram is asleep. Only God passes through. God alone takes the oath. God alone shoulders the curse. The covenant is one-sided—guaranteed not by Abram's faithfulness but by God's. The smoking fire pot and flaming torch were a preview. God always intended to bear the cost alone. The cross was hidden in Genesis 15.

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