“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 those pieces. On that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…”
Genesis 15:17-18
God made a covenant with Abram; both parties were to pass between the pieces. It seems however that the Bible never makes mention of the fact that Abram passed between the pieces. The only mention made of any movement through the pieces is that of the smoke and burning torch of God. Smoke and fire, clouds and darkness, all these images are illustrations of God’s judgment often seen in parables in the gospels as well as illustrations in prophetic visions in both the Old and New Testaments.
What’s up with this picture?
Why the Solo Sizzle and Shuffle by God?
Knowing that when passing between the pieces of the dead animals, Abram would be held to a standard higher than he could keep, God went on ahead of him and passed through and completed the covenant. In a way saying to Abram, “not only will I be faithful to my side of the bargain, but I will help you uphold your end of the covenant as well.”
Not only does God show this truth in the completion of the covenant with Abram, but He illustrated this same thing to us when Jesus poured out His blood and said, “It is finished”. God would pass between the gates of hell and rise again showing us that He had fully consumed sin and death, faithfully holding up His end of the bargain and empowering us with the indwelling Holy Spirit so that we might “Abide in the Light” of His covenant and enjoy the wonder of His promise.
How cool is that?
