Abraham — Father of Faith · Day 2
Genesis 15:1-6 — a devotion
Genesis 15
- 1이 후에 여호와의 말씀이 이상 중에 아브람에게 임하여 가라사대 아브람아 두려워 말라 나는 너의 방패요 너의 지극히 큰 상급이니라After 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.After these things the LORD’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
- 2아브람이 가로되 주 여호와여 무엇을 내게 주시려나이까 나는 무자하오니 나의 상속자는 이 다메섹 엘리에셀이니이다And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- 3아브람이 또 가로되 주께서 내게 씨를 아니주셨으니 내 집에서 길리운 자가 나의 후사가 될 것이니이다And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
- 4여호와의 말씀이 그에게 임하여 가라사대 그 사람은 너의 후사가 아니라 네 몸에서 날 자가 네 후사가 되리라 하시고And, 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.Behold, the LORD’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.”
- 5그를 이끌고 밖으로 나가 가라사대 하늘을 우러러 뭇별을 셀 수 있나 보라 또 그에게 이르시되 네 자손이 이와 같으리라And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.The LORD 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.”
- 6아브람이 여호와를 믿으니 여호와께서 이를 그의 의로 여기시고And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.He believed in the LORD, who credited it to him for righteousness.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Genesis chapter 15 is the story that follows Abram's arrival in the land of Canaan. Time had passed since the calling in chapter 12, but he still had no promised child. In the ancient Near East, there was a custom that if a person had no children, a servant would inherit the property, and Abram was facing this reality. This passage features a covenant ceremony of the ancient Near East, a scene in which God formally makes a covenant with Abram. Genesis 15:6 is a verse so central to the whole Bible that Paul cites it in Romans and Galatians as the basis for the doctrine of being justified by faith.
Reflection questions: 1. Have you ever had doubts while waiting for God's promise? How did you respond then? 2. If you were to speak honestly before God about your fears or doubts, what would you want to say? 3. What kind of freedom might being counted righteous through faith give you in your everyday life?
Today's reflection
In Genesis chapter 15, Abram raises an honest question before God. God says He will be a great reward, but Abram still had no child. Time had passed since he received the promise, and his reality had not changed. Abram honestly voices his doubt, saying it seems his servant Eliezer will become his heir.
God does not rebuke Abram's question. He takes him outside and shows him the stars of the sky. He gives a concrete promise that Abram's descendants will be like the countless stars. And then, in verse 6, comes the most important declaration. Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted it to him as righteousness. The Hebrew word aman means to trust firmly.
This verse reveals the central principle of salvation. Righteousness is not earned by works but is given through trusting God. We too, when doubts arise in the midst of waiting, can come honestly before God. God does not reject our questions; rather, He responds with an even deeper promise.
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