Genesis15_1-4

Genesis 15:1-4

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and  thy exceeding great reward.

And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

After Abram defeated the four kings, he may have feared that they would seek revenge. Therefore, God Elohim appeared to him in a vision and encouraged him not to be afraid. God promised that He was Abram’s shield, protecting him from enemies and danger. Furthermore, God said that Abram would receive an exceedingly great reward. God Elohim cared not only for Abram’s physical needs and abundant wealth, but also for his inner need to grow in the holy character of God.

Abram was wise and perceptive. He immediately told God what troubled him and what he desired. Since he was already old and still childless, it made no sense to him to receive more material wealth. Although he was rich and successful, going childless remained a deep concern in his heart. Understanding God’s promise of a “great reward,” Abram asked whether his steward, Eliezer of Damascus, would become his heir.

He continued by saying that someone born in his household would become his heir because God had not given him a seed. Abram showed wisdom by asking God according to God’s own word. He grasped the promise of a “great reward” and used it to seek from God a true, biological heir.

However, God answered that Eliezer would not be his heir. Instead, his heir would come from his own body. This teaches us how to pray: we should take hold of the word of God and use it to ask and seek Him.