Understanding the Promises of Genesis 15:1-6

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 Our Defense and Great Reward Promises to Live By A Pivotal Point What Did Abram Believe? 1

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • Perhaps the most important verse in all the Scriptures is Genesis 15:6. • The first verse in Scripture to speak of faith, righteousness, and justification • Faith existed before Abram. • Romans 3:21-26 states that both OT and NT saints were saved through faith on the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ. • So, what does this verse mean? 2

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • Is faith a substitute? • In the phrase, “he credited it to him as righteousness,” the question becomes what is meant by the word “it”? • “It” demands a noun, which is not there. • In the rest of Scripture, it is never stated that we are saved because of faith or even on the basis of faith. 3

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • Scripture says we are saved by faith. So, what does that mean? • In Greek, the preposition dia rendered “by” can mean “because of” or “through.” • If the phrase “justification by faith” means “because of,” then faith is both the grounds of salvation and a substitute for righteousness. • For dia to be translated this way, the object of the preposition (faith) would have to be in the dative case, indicating “on the basis of.” • It never occurs this way! 4

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • Scripture says we are saved by faith. So, what does that mean? • When the Greek word for “faith” occurs with dia, it is always in the genitive case, which dictates the translation “through.” • This means “by faith as a channel” and not the grounds or basis of. 5

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • The meaning of the word “credited,” hashab in Hebrew and logizomai in Greek, becomes very important. • Both mean “reckoned” or “accounted.” • They both refer to an accurate recordkeeping. • This refers to what is actually the case – Ps. 32:2. 6

Psalm 32:2 (NASB) 2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 A Pivotal Point • The meaning of the word “credited,” hashab in Hebrew and logizomaiin Greek, becomes very important. • Both mean “reckoned” or “accounted.” • They both refer to an accurate recordkeeping. • This refers to what is actually the case – Ps. 32:2. • This leads us to the legal term “justification” – declared righteous, not blameless. 7

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Was it God’s promise to be Abram’s “shield” and “great reward”? • Was it God’s assurance that Abram would have an “heir” coming from his own body? • Was it the prophecy of numerous posterity? • Or, does the content of the promise and of Abram’s faith go back even farther to the prospect of a homeland, a great name, and blessings to come to others through him? 81

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • A greater understanding comes from Paul and the book of Galatians, e.g. Gal. 3:1-18. 9

Galatians 3: 1-18 (NASB) 1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall liveby them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs onatree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • A greater understanding comes from Paul and the book of Galatians, e.g. Gal. 3:1-18. • The Galatians knew salvation from sin did not come from keeping the law, but from the work of Christ. • The Jews showed up later to straighten out their wrong “theology.” Faith in Christ was not sufficient; they also had to fall under the Law of Moses and especially circumcision. 10

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Paul answers the three parts to the Jewish believers’ arguments in the book of Galatians. • Paul was not an apostle – Galatians 1 & 2. • Paul was unbiblical in his teaching because OT figures were saved by keeping the Law and circumcision – Galatians 3 & 4. • Paul was teaching lax living – Galatians 5 & 6. 11

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Paul uses Abram as his example because Abram was accepted by all as the father of the faith. • The Jews argued that Abram was saved by keeping the Law and circumcision, but Paul said Abram was justified before either came about. • The Jews would say to Paul’s answer, “found in Christ,” that Abram came before Christ. 12

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Paul answers that Abram was looking forward to the coming of Christ. • Abram was justified by faith in God’s Word, “the Gospel in advance” – Hebrews 11:8-10. 13

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NASB) 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Paul answers that Abram was looking forward to the coming of Christ. • Abram was justified by faith in God’s Word, “the Gospel in advance” – Hebrews 11:8-10. • Abram believed that the spiritual promises received concerned redemption – Gal. 3:13-14. 14

Galatians 3:13-14 (NASB) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs onatree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Paul answers that Abram was looking forward to the coming of Christ. • Abram was justified by faith in God’s Word, “the Gospel in advance” – Hebrews 11:8-10. • Abram believed that the spiritual promises received concerned redemption – Gal. 3:13-14. • Abram also looked forward specifically to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ – Gal. 3:16. 15

Galatians 3:16 (NASB) 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Abram was justified by the channel of faith as were all others in the Scriptures. • Jacob testifies – Genesis 49:10 16

Genesis 49:10 (NASB) 10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,Until Shiloh comes,And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Abram was justified by the channel of faith as were all others in the Scriptures. • Jacob testifies – Genesis 49:10 • Moses testifies – Deuteronomy 18:18 17

Deuteronomy 18:18 (NASB) 18 I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Abram was justified by the channel of faith as were all others in the Scriptures. • Jacob testifies – Genesis 49:10 • Moses testifies – Deuteronomy 18:18 • David testifies – 2 Samuel 7:16-19 18

2 Samuel 7:16-19 (NASB) 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. 18 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Abram was justified by the channel of faith as were all others in the Scriptures. • Jacob testifies – Genesis 49:10 • Moses testifies – Deuteronomy 18:18 • David testifies – 2 Samuel 7:16-19 • Isaiah testifies – Isaiah 53:6 19

Isaiah 53:6 (NASB) 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 What Did Abram Believe? • Abram was justified by the channel of faith as were all others in the Scriptures. • Jacob testifies – Genesis 49:10 • Moses testifies – Deuteronomy 18:18 • David testifies – 2 Samuel 7:16-19 • Isaiah testifies – Isaiah 53:6 • John the Baptist testifies – Matt. 3:11-12 20

Matthew 3:11-12 (NASB) 11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Reckoned – Part 2Genesis 15:1-6 Application How open is your channel of faith? What are you doing to increase this channel and your faith? On what basis would God have you enter His Heaven? 21

Understanding the Promises of Genesis 15:1-6