God has already promised Abram land (12:7, 13:14-15) and numerous descendants (13:16). Abram’s descendants would possess the land as a great nation (12:2). Finally, in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed (12:3). In today’s passage, God formalizes and expands his promises as a covenant with Abram:

• Abrahamic Covenant – God reaffirms his promises of land (15:7, 18-20) and descendants (15:4-5). Abram will not only become a great nation, but is renamed Abraham, the father of many nations (17:4-6). As a sign of the covenant, all males were to be circumcised (17:9-14). Finally, Abraham was to walk blamelessly before God (17:1-2). How is your walk before God?
• Abram’s faith – In response to God’s promises, Abram believes, and it is counted to him as righteousness (15:6). This verse is quoted 4 times in the New Testament (Romans 4:3, 22; Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23). We cannot be righteous on our own, but when we believe God’s promise, God declares us righteous in his sight. God has promised us salvation through Jesus. Have you come to believe God’s promise? If so, you are righteous (pure, clean) in his sight!
• Abram “helps God out” – Since Sarai has had no children, she and Abram come up with a plan to help God out – through Sarai’s servant Hagar. Rather than follow God, they take things into their own hands. Are there areas in your life where you are moving ahead of God rather than following? When are you tempted to help God out?

God calls Abram to leave his country and family and go to a land God will show him. God promises to bless him and make him into a great nation. Notice:

• Abram’s faith – Abram believes God and goes. He doesn’t know what the land will be like or how he can become a great nation, but he believes God and obeys. Has God been calling you to do something? Will you trust him and obey? Is your life a struggle? Will you trust God and press on? Are you facing persecution for doing what is right? Will you trust God and continue?
• Abram’s lack of faith – In Egypt, Abram chooses to lie about his wife rather than trust God with his safety. Are there areas in your life where you are failing to trust God?
• Abram’s prayer life – As Abram travels through Canaan, he eventually comes to Bethel. There he builds an altar to the Lord and calls upon the name of the Lord (12:8). Later after a lapse of faith in Egypt, he returns to Bethel and again calls on the name of the Lord. What is your prayer life like?
• God’s blessing – God promised to bless Abram, and he does. God graciously intervenes in Egypt. God delivers Abram’s enemies into his hands when his enemies took Lot captive. How has God been there to help you?

Following the flood, God makes a covenant and gives instructions – instructions which the people of Babel refused to obey in their quest for glory. Observe:

• God’s covenant – God makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants (including us!). He mercifully promises to never flood the entire earth again. He places a rainbow in the sky as a sign of this covenant. Next time you see a rainbow, remember God’s mercy to you.
• God’s instructions broken – God commanded people to fill the earth (9:1), but the people of Babel disobeyed. They began building a city, lest they “be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (11:4). Search your life. Are there any ways in which you are in active rebellion against God’s commands? This is a dangerous place to be! Take time now to repent and confess your sin to God.
• A quest for glory – The people of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves (11:4). They chose to live for themselves rather than God. Nothing much has changed. People today still want to make a name for themselves rather than honor God. Whose name are you seeking to lift up? Who are you living for?