Look Now Toward Heaven, Genesis 15:4-6

 

God had been nothing but nice to Abe. He protected him, provided for him, bailed him out when he blew it. Genesis 15:1.

Now, our text is unique in that the Lord is responding to the very first words ever recorded, that Abram spoke to the Lord (Gen. 15:2-3).

This is probably not the first time Abram spoke to the Lord. Genesis 12:8, says Abram called on the name of the Lord. However, it is the first time recorded in the Bible, which is no accident.

What were Abram’s first recorded words to God?

Worship? Praise? Thanks?

Nope.

A complaint disguised as a question. Genesis 15:2-3.

Wow. Not such a glowing review for Abe, however, an encouragement to those of us who’ve ever responded in a way we shouldn’t.

How do you respond when your kindness is received with snar-casm (snarky- sarcasm)?

This is how God did...

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Behold, the word of the Lord came…

This is the second time in the first four verses that we read, the word of the Lord came. (Genesis 15:1-4).

Since we were introduced to Abram a few chapters back, the Word of the Lord came to Abram, repeatedly for a decade; to direct, to encourage, to tell of things to come.

To direct: Get out of your country to a land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1.

To encourage: Fear not, I am your shield, and exceedingly great reward. Genesis 15:1.

To tell of things to come: I shall make of you a great nation. Genesis 12:2-3.

To this day, the Lord still seeks His people, and speaks to His people; to direct, encourage, and tell of things to come.

We should expect that from Him.

To him who has ears to hear, let him hear, is what Jesus often said; and He had those words written in every letter to the Churches in Revelation.

In other words, He speaks to those who listen.

The Word of the Lord came to Abram…the prophet.

In the Old Testament, the Lord spoke mostly to and through His prophets; as recorded hundreds of times in Scripture. The Lord specifically calls Abraham a prophet in, Genesis 20:7.

Nowadays, His Word, is primarily heard, by the Holy Spirit, through His Word; the Bible.

The Bible, isn’t just any book, it’s more than words on a page, it’s, the Word of the Lord.

Therefore, it cannot be understood with the natural mind, it must be Spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14.

Only digesting the Word intellectually is like eating a picture of healthy food, rather than the actual food.  

The Bible, is alive.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In other words, the Word, cuts to the heart of the matter, discerning (exposing) the motives.

His written Word, the Bible, is the tangible substance that can be seen, and heard, and handled, in this physical realm; like Jesus was the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14.

 

Spiritually speaking.

The Holy Spirit, amplifies His Word, so it can be heard. (Beyond the intellect).

He illuminates His Word, so it can be seen. (Through eyes of faith).

John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:13,14.

 

Physically speaking.

The vehicle He primarily chooses to use today (rather than prophets as in days of old), is the foolishness of preaching.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

The preacher is just the speaker, (small ‘s’: vessel used to carry the Sound; the Word).

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

 

The One holding the mic, is the Speaker, capital ‘S’; the Holy Spirit.

The preacher’s job is to echo the Holy Spirit.

The hearer’s job is to listen for the Holy Spirit, not the preacher… or for ear-tickling words.  

Listen for faith activating Word, from the Word, that stirs the soul from apathy to Godly action. (Scripturally sound, God fearing, purpose driven, action—not godless fear driven social activism).

Faith that pleases God is faith that works. An internal conviction that sparks external action; where the rewards are heavenly results, not earthly recognition.

 

HOLY SPIRIT DISCERNED BALANCE

James 2:19-24

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect (complete)? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted (credited) to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

He is speaking.

Lord, help us hear You.

 

“This one shall not be your heir…

Help us listen, even if it hurts.

Your own conclusions and solutions, are wrong.

Your alternate plan, will fail.

It’s heartbreaking that many turn and walk away and this point. They live by the motto, my way or the highway. It’s my truth. Don’t judge. 

God simply, lovingly, tells Abram, he’s wrong.

No, Abram, Eliezer, is not your heir. (Genesis 15:2-3).

It doesn’t matter that you’re 85 and have failed every time you tried.

Stick to My Word. My plan. Period.

When it comes to analyzing God’s plan:

Considering circumstances only causes confusion.  

 

…but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

 Abram, you heard me correctly the first time. Your ears are working fine.

You will have a child from your body, your blood.

Stay the course.

You’ll have a son (with Sarah) who will carry the seed that leads to the Seed, who’ll be the blessing to all nations of the earth.  

NOTE: This by implication includes Sarah. God made His choice for Sarai clear in Gen. 12:17, by plaguing Pharaoh for Sarai’s sake. 

Abram, pay attention, I’m not surprised you’re 85. It’s no news to Me that Sarai’s been barren.  

I knew you before I chose you, and I never make mistakes.

I’ve already equipped you for that which I’ve called you.

Whatever is lacking I AM Your Shield (Protector), I AM your exceedingly great reward (Provider). Genesis 15:1.

Your job is to believe with the internal conviction that triggers external action.

 

5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Now God gives him something to help him remember, and compare the magnitude of the promise.

Creation speaks of the Glory of God.

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

Without speech or language,

without a sound to be heard,

their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world

 

So, God takes him outside, Look now toward the heavens.

This may have hit closer to home than we may think.

Adam was still alive when Methusaleh was born.

Methuselah was alive when Noah was born.

Noah was alive when Abram was born.

Abraham might’ve heard Noah tell stories from Methusaleh about firsthand accounts of Adam and Eve and the early days of creation.

 

…count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Consider this:

God took Abram outside and said, "now look toward the heavens." The very heavens He created; the heavens that declare His glory. Psalm 19:1-4.

So shall your descendants be.

Those stars represent Abram’s descendants, and, if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed, Galatians 3:29. Thus, you are represented amongst those stars. 

God counts the stars and calls them by name, Psalm 147:4.

Jesus calls His sheep by name. John 10:3.

Homework assignment:

Let’s follow God’s directive, invest some time in eternity, and follow Abram’s footsteps outside.

Look now toward the heavens…

Look at the heavens, that declare His glory. (Psalm 19:1-4).

Look at the very same stars God showed Abram; and then spoke of you when talking about his descendants. (Galatians 3:29).

Consider Him who calls His sheep by name. (John 10:3).

Who hung the stars and calls them by name. (Psalm 147:4).

Consider Him, who considers you.

And ask Him, if perhaps, He named one of those stars, after you.

Consider the star that led wisemen to the Bright and Morning Star. (Rev. 22:16).

Considering all this, how could anyone not believe?

6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Hebrews 11:8-12

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

 

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe, thank You, for considering us.

We now, humbly bow, and consider You. We look toward the heavens, and consider all Your hands have made; all we can think, all we can say, is how great Thou art.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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