(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
This list is not exhaustive, nor can it be taken lightly, since some of the key elements of our salvation in Christ were foreshadowed in Isaac, giving the perfect illustration of salvation
THE LINE OF THE SEED, FROM ISAAC TO JESUS CHRIST
(Matthew 1:1-16) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (v.2)Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob;.....(v.16) And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
(Luke 3: 23-38) And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
(v.23) And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,.........
(v. 34) which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham,
(Genesis 15:5) And 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.
How many stars are there, visible to the naked eye?
How many believers, Jew and Gentile, from the beginning to the end of the Millenial Kingdom?
(Genesis 15:6) And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This is the Gospel in the Old testament
Abraham is a believing, faithful Jew
(Romans 4:2-5) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(Genesis 15:7) And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
God reminds Abram Who He is through His actions on Abram's behalf
The land could have been given to him where he was in Ur of the Chaldees (Iraq, Babylon on the Euphrates), but God had a better place for Abram-Canaan.
(Genesis 15:8) And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
Abram wants a sign for assurance, perhaps a slight lack of faith, or just unsure of how God will do this.
God is gracious enough to give him his request for a sign
(1 Corinthians 1:22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
(Genesis 15:9) And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
God also made it unilateral because it was to be by grace through faith with no work on the part of Abram
Heifer: Sin purification
She Goat: Ignorant sin atonement
Ram: Sin offering, burnt offerings/sacrifices, wave offering, trespass offering
Turtledove, young pigeon: Sin offering
The custom of splitting the animals in half and both parties walking through the middle of them was that, if it was broken by either party, this is what was to happen to them.
It was a serious contract!
God apparently knew that Abram might break it, so He made it unilateral
THE RED HEIFER
(Numbers 19:17) And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:
(Deutereonomy 21:1-9) If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
(Hebrews 9:13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
THE SHE GOAT
(Numbers 15:27-28) And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
THE TURTLEDOVE, YOUNG PIGEON
(Leviticus 12:6) And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
(Jeremiah 34:18) And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,
(Genesis 15:10) And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
THE COVENANT OF WALKING THROUGH THE SPLIT CARCASSES
Rabbi Solomon Jarchi says, "It was a custom with those who entered into covenant with each other to take a heifer and cut it in two, and then the contracting parties passed between the pieces."
See this and the scriptures to which it refers particularly explained, Genesis 6:18. A covenant always supposed one of these four things:
The contracting parties were strangers, and the covenant was their way of getting acquainted.
Or perhaps the contracting parties were in a state of, battle, hostile towards one another or had enmity; the covenant brought them into a pacified, peaceful state of amity.
Or perhaps the contracting parties may have known each other, but now they now agree to unite their counsels, strength, property, etc., for the accomplishment of a particular purpose, laying aside their own personal interests for the sake of the new common good goals
It implies an agreement to succor and defend a third party in cases of oppression and distress.
Whatever reason that the covenant was made, the idea was that, if either party broke the covenant, the same splitting in half would be done to them.
"For whatever purpose a covenant was made, it was ever ratified by a sacrifice offered to God; and the passing between the divided parts of the victim appears to have signified that each agreed, if they broke their engagements, to submit to the punishment of being cut asunder; which we find from Matthew 24:51; Luke 12:46, was an ancient mode of punishment. This is farther confirmed by Herodotus, who says that Sabacus, king of Ethiopia, had a vision, in which he was ordered µes??? d?ateµe??, to cut in two, all the Egyptian priests; lib. ii. We find also from the same author, lib. vii., that Xerxes ordered one of the sons of Pythius µes?? d?ateµe??, to be cut in two, and one half to be placed on each side of the way, that his army might pass through between them. That this kind of punishment was used among the Persians we have proof from Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29. Story of Susanna, verses 55, 59. See farther, 2 Samuel 12:31, and 1 Chronicles 20:3. These authorities may be sufficient to show that the passing between the parts of the divided victims signified the punishment to which those exposed themselves who broke their covenant engagements. And that covenant sacrifices were thus divided, even from the remotest antiquity, we learn from Homer, Il. A., v. 460."
(Matthew 24:51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(Luke 12:46) The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
(Genesis 15:11) And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
Birds such as vultures, ravens, other scavengers are representative often of the enemy, are common throughout the world, who wants to thwart God's plans.
Abram was not about to let that happen.
Nevertheless, it was up to God, not Abram, so He probably let Abram give it a shot before letting him sleep.
(Matthew 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
(Luke 17:37) And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
(Genesis 15:12) And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
This was not your average sleep, but supernatural rest
I would imagine that Abram was very much awake and refreshed afther this sleep.
(Genesis 15:13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
This is the prophecy of the bondage in Egypt under Pharoah
It was foretold that it would be rough also
Egypt was not promised to Israel, as was other lands (not theirs)
(Genesis 15:14) And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Another prophecy is the destruction of Pharoah and his armies in the Red Sea after that.
(Genesis 15:15) And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
Not many people were told such a thing as this.
Not die at war
Good old age
Be buried with his fathers
Lots of future information
(Genesis 15:16) But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Because of the ages of the patriarchs, this generation was about 100 to 120 years, so the great-great-grandchildren would be coming out of those going into captivity in Egypt.
The actual number was 430, so 400 is rounded.
There is sojourning, and serving. They may have dwelled 430 years, and served only 400 years
The sins of the Amorites being full explains the mercy of God, allowing four hundred years to repent as a nation
The 400 years of captivity would be the time for the Amorites to be filled with their sins
God delayed the Flood for 120 years
When God finally seeks the destruction of all of them, it is therefore merciful
(Exodus 12:40) Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
Or the 430 years is from Galatians 3:17, the time of the giving of the Covenant to the giving of the Law:
(Galatians 3:17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(Genesis 10:16-20) And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
(Genesis 15:17) And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
According to Matthew Henry:
This possibly represented the Israelites' severe trials and joyful deliverance
Possible that this furnace and lamp, which passed between the pieces, burned and consumed them, and so completed the sacrifice, testified God's acceptance of it.
So it intimates that God's covenants with man are made by sacrifice
Smoking furnace=suffering; burning lamp=the glory after the suffering
(Genesis 15:18-21) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
This is basically all Canaanite land, these ten tribes
It is from the Nile to the Euphrates
See 1 Kings 8:25, 2 Kings 14:25.
Genesis Chapter 16
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