Lesson from our Session…………………………..
(Genesis 15:18) On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
God gave this promise to Abram and it was an unconditional covenant or promise; which means Abram and his descendants did not need to do anything to “earn” their possession of the Promised Land. However, because the Israelites God freed from slavery in Egypt would not believe and obey God, only their children were allowed to enter and possess the Promised Land.
God’s people would need to obey God in order to keep possession of the Promised Land (because they disobeyed God, the Kingdom of Israel lost possession of their land and the Kingdom of Judah spent 70 years in exile).
Abram was counted righteous because he believed God, and he expressed his belief by trusting and obeying God. The Israelites entered to possess the land in the time of Joshua, but they did not acquire control over the entire promised area until the time of King David. They began to lose control over the entire Promised Land after King Solomon led them into idolatry.
Lesson: What God promises, He will accomplish in His time and in His way {Gen. 15:17-21)
Reflection: Debate with God has always been futile but wrestling with Him is understandable. Thankfully, He will not be dissuaded from what is best by our bickering but will attend to us with compassion and patience. Our comfort is to know that He will accomplish His plan even if for the eyes of our children and not ours.