Genesis 15

Jehovah, shield and reward

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

Jehovah speaks to Abram in a vision and says He Himself is Abram's protection and his reward. The premortal Christ offers Himself, not only gifts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Psalm 3:3 — "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me."

Jehovah

And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? Genesis 15:2–5

Abram brings his worry about having no heir to the Lord God. Jehovah promises him a son of his own and posterity as many as the stars.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a traditional type, cited · the chapter heading names Him

Righteousness through faith

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Abram trusts Jehovah, and his faith is counted as righteousness. The Joseph Smith Translation says that at this moment Abram "saw the days of the Son of Man, and was glad", and Paul says the verse was written for us too, if we believe on Him who raised up Jesus.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• quoted by Romans 4:3 — "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
• interpreted by Romans 4:20-25 — It was not written for his sake alone, but for us also, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord.
• quoted by Galatians 3:6 — "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
• interpreted by JST Genesis 15:9-12 — "The day cometh, that the Son of Man shall live ... Abram looked forth and saw the days of the Son of Man, and was glad ... and he believed in the Lord" (Appendix, checked online).
• alluded to by John 8:56 — "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad."

Jehovah

And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. Genesis 15:7

Jehovah names Himself as the One who rescued Abram from Ur. The Book of Abraham tells that rescue, where the Lord says, "My name is Jehovah."

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a traditional type, cited · another scripture interprets it of Him

• the same event in Abraham 1:16 — "My name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee."
• the same title in Abraham 2:8 — "My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning."

Covenant sacrifice

And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? Genesis 15:8–11

Jehovah seals His promise through a sacrifice of animals divided in two. Scripture teaches that sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten, whose death seals the new covenant.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

Jehovah foretelling the Exodus

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; Genesis 15:13–14

Jehovah foretells Israel's slavery in Egypt and His rescue of them. The Exodus He promises here later became a key symbol of redemption through Christ.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• fulfilled by Exodus 12:40-41 — Israel leaves Egypt at the end of the foretold years.

Jehovah's presence in fire

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. Genesis 15:17

The smoke and fire that pass between the pieces show Jehovah's presence. He alone walks the covenant path, binding Himself to keep the promise.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · proposed by the reading

Jehovah, maker of the covenant

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Genesis 15:18

Jehovah makes the Abrahamic covenant formal. Christ is the God of the covenant, and He is also the Seed through whom it is fulfilled.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a traditional type, cited · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — The promises were made to Abraham's seed, "which is Christ."
• interpreted by Galatians 3:17 — "The covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ."