1. Babylonian Blood Covenant Abraham prepared the sacrifice Abraham prepared the sacrifice As was the custom in Babylon. As was the custom in Babylon. The two parties would ratify by walking between the slaughtered animals. The two parties would ratify by walking between the slaughtered animals. Both parties provided vested animals for the agreement. Both parties provided vested animals for the agreement. They were equals. They were equals. If the agreement was broken, the blood of the guilty one would be shed. If the agreement was broken, the blood of the guilty one would be shed.

2. Covenant Promise of God Abram felt heavy darkness, anxiety, saw and chased away birds of prey. Abram felt heavy darkness, anxiety, saw and chased away birds of prey. Descendants would spend 4 centuries in slavery. Descendants would spend 4 centuries in slavery. They would be oppressed. They would be oppressed. God would send punishment on the oppressors and deliver them. God would send punishment on the oppressors and deliver them. God would dispossess the current occupants of the land. God would dispossess the current occupants of the land.

3. Covenant Promise of God Abram’s descendants would finally take possession of the land. Abram’s descendants would finally take possession of the land. The Covenant Ratification by God The Covenant Ratification by God Unilateral Agreement Unilateral Agreement One sided One sided The parties were not equal The parties were not equal One assumed all the obligations One assumed all the obligations The other received all the benefits The other received all the benefits

4. Covenant Promise of God Ratification Ratification God’s presences, in the form of a flaming torch, alone, passed through the sacrificed animals. God’s presences, in the form of a flaming torch, alone, passed through the sacrificed animals. This was the sign Abram asked for. This was the sign Abram asked for. Other sightings of God’s presence. Other sightings of God’s presence. Burning Bush Ex. 3: 1-10 Burning Bush Ex. 3: 1-10 Pillar of cloud/fire Ex. 13: 21 Pillar of cloud/fire Ex. 13: 21

5. Covenant Promise of God Ratification Ratification Abram heard God’s voice Abram heard God’s voice Descendants would get the land Descendants would get the land Named the tribes that would forfeit their land. Named the tribes that would forfeit their land. Boundaries are defined by the Nile and Euphrates rivers Boundaries are defined by the Nile and Euphrates rivers Ultimately, God bound Himself to His promises!! Ultimately, God bound Himself to His promises!!

6. Covenant Promise of God Abram’s part Abram’s part He promised nothing. He promised nothing. He did nothing. He did nothing. He said nothing. He said nothing. He merely observed. He merely observed. He heard what was said. He heard what was said. And believed. And believed. How does Eph. 2:8-9 parallel this section? How does Eph. 2:8-9 parallel this section?

7. Covenant Promise of God Significant Training for Abram Significant Training for Abram The promise given in Gen 12: 1-3 The promise given in Gen 12: 1-3 More details about the promise More details about the promise Child from His own body Child from His own body Descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky Descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky Defined the boundaries of the Promised Land. Defined the boundaries of the Promised Land.