Send us a text

Genesis 15 – The Covenant confirmed by Blood 

After Abram’s victory over the kings, he faced fear about the future — he had no child and no heir. But in Genesis 15, God appears to Abram with reassurance: “Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.”

Here, God does something extraordinary — He formalizes His covenant with Abram through a blood covenant ceremony. This marks the moment when the covenant of promise becomes the covenant of faith — a foreshadowing of the New Covenant fulfilled in Christ’s blood.

Theme: God keeps covenant by sealing His promises with blood, faith, and divine assurance.

Verse-by-Verse Insights with Covenant Lessons

Genesis 15:1 – God’s Reassurance

• “Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, your exceeding great reward.”
• Abram was weary from battle and uncertain about his future, but God reminded him that He Himself was Abram’s protection and portion.
• Covenant Lesson: God’s presence is greater than any possession.
• Illustration: Like a child clinging to a parent after a storm, Abram needed assurance that the relationship mattered more than the reward

Genesis 15:2–3 – Abram’s Concern

• Abram replied, “Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless?”
• Despite his victories, he longed for an heir.
• Covenant Lesson: God’s covenant often tests our patience before it fulfills our promise.
• Illustration: Many can believe for blessings, but covenant faith believes even when the blessing seems delayed.

Genesis 15:4–5 – The Promise of a Son

• God said, “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”
• Then He took Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars… so shall your descendants be.”
• Covenant Lesson: God’s promises exceed what we can see; faith counts stars when there’s no child.
• Illustration: Like counting raindrops before the rain falls, Abram believed the impossible.

Genesis 15:6 – Abram Believed God

• “And he believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him for righteousness.”
• This verse becomes the foundation of salvation by faith (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6).
• Covenant Lesson: Covenant righteousness is not earned — it’s credited through faith.
• Illustration: Like a bank depositing grace into an empty account, God credited Abram’s faith as righteousness.

Genesis 15:7–10 – The Covenant Ceremony Begins

• God told Abram to prepare a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and pigeon — to cut them in half and lay the pieces opposite each other.
• In ancient custom, two parties would walk between the pieces, symbolizing: “May this happen to me if I break my word.”
• Covenant Lesson: God stooped down to confirm His unbreakable word with human understanding.
• Illustration: Like a king signing his name in his own blood, God bound Himself to His word.

Genesis 15:11–12 – The Deep Sleep and Darkness

• Birds of prey came down, and Abram drove them away — symbolic of spiritual opposition to God’s promises.
• A deep sleep and dreadful darkness fell upon him — representing the seriousness of the covenant.
• Covenant Lesson: Every covenant faces attack, but God Himself defends His promises.
• Illustration: Like vultures circling a sacrifice, the enemy always tries to steal faith before it bears fruit.

Genesis 15:13–16 – Prophecy of Future Bondage and

Support the show