The Deal Sealed
Part 2 of 3
The entire “swearing-in” process is actually a sign of covenant with a court of law. Abram also asks for a covenant sign in v. 8, “How shall I know that I will inherit it?” In vv. 9-10, YHVH instructed Abram to bring Him a “three-year old heifer, a three-year old female goat, a three-year old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon”. When Abram presented these animals to his Lord, he “cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other, but did not cut the birds in two”.
In v. 17, our Lord expresses, in a very dramatic way, the seriousness involved. The record says, “And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between the pieces”. The sign of a covenant could be as simple as shaking hands, exchanging of garments or battle equipment, or the serious level of requiring both parties to “pass between the pieces”, as in this case with Abram.
The significance of this passing spelled out grave consequences for either party that broke the covenant. With both parties passing between the bloody pieces of the slain animals, they were in effect saying, “If I don’t keep my end of the bargain, then, may I be as these pieces”. With YHVH passing through these pieces, Abram had a most solemn pledge that YAH’s promise to him would be kept. Such is the absolute surety of the Word of our Lord.
It should also be curious to note that Abram did not pass through the pieces. Only YHVH passed through. It is the wisdom of our Master Shepherd that knew Abram would never be able to keep his word, and would ultimately become like those pieces. It is YAH’s compassion that would not allow Abram to pass through the pieces. In His infinite mercy, and in our words, He said, “That’s alright Abe. You just sit there and relax. I’ll take care of this one”. Unfortunately, human nature causes Abrams all down through history to attempt passing through the pieces, incorporating their own righteousness into the covenant.
Click Here To Continue In The 19th Psalm
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