Today I am sharing with you some insight from Henry Morris’ book The Genesis Record. His commentary on the story that ends chapter 14 of Genesis and begins chapter 15 includes a train of thought that blew me away. I hope you are as amazed by this as I am today.
Chapter 14 ends with the story of Abram’s first rescue of Lot and his refusal to accept the material plunder that came with that rescue, which would have been enrichment by the kings of the East. Chapter 15 opens with God speaking to Abram in a vision. He says:
Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
It is here that we see the very first “I Am” statement from God. There are many of these great claims given by Jesus in the New Testament, but this one comes from the mouth of God himself, spoken to Abraham. “Exceeding great” also means “abundant”, according to Henry Morris in his commentary, The Genesis Record.
Following Morris’ train of thought, an amazing thing unfolds for us starting here. Romans 4:11 marks Abram as “the father of all them that believe” and watch how this plays out in Ephesians:
“For the believer, Christ is both protection from all harm and provision of all needs. He provides our “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16)- indeed the “whole armor of God” so that we can “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10-11). He is also our “exceeding great [literally ‘abundant’] reward.” We need not be enriched with the wealth of the kings of the East, because “he is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).”
~Henry Morris, The Genesis Record, p324
That is simply mind blowing how Ephesians fits right into the story here in the end of chapter 14 and the beginning of chapter 15 and is completely and utterly relevant to the lives of believers today.
As believers, children of Abram, we too can claim this promise and understand it more deeply in light of what Paul wrote in Ephesians.
Those verses, in context make this even more incredible:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
~Ephesians 6:10-1814 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
~Ephesians 3: 14-21
God is our shield and it is Him who gives us strength to stand against the schemes of the devil and who helps us extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. Stand against the schemes of the devil means we will not be caught unaware and extinguish means to be put out forever- never to have a hold on us or hurt us. If we are walking with God, this is a promise for us.
God is our exceeding great (abundant) reward. He is able to do far more than we can imagine without the help of this world’s resources. And he will do it for his glory. That is truly the whole point of life and the world- to bring him glory.
Right now, all I can say is Praise God! Its going to take a bit for that to sink in. God quite literally blew my mind. He is my shield and abundant reward. I am resting in the promise today and encouraged by its truth!
