Genesis 15:1-6
God reassures His people with His word, and righteousness is credited through faith in His promise.
1 After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
2 Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
4 Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.”
5 Yahweh brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.”
6 He believed in Yahweh, who credited it to him for righteousness.
God reassures His people with His word, and righteousness is credited through faith in His promise.
To record God’s reassurance to Abram, clarify the promise of an heir, and establish the foundational principle of righteousness by faith.
The LORD Assures Abram, Credits Him with Righteousness, and Ratifies the Covenant by Oath
The LORD answers Abram’s fear and uncertainty by promising seed and land, crediting Abram’s faith as righteousness, and binding Himself by covenant oath to accomplish what Abram cannot secure.