Anchor My Faith

Previous Lesson
Next Lesson
Author: Stephen Weller
1,117 words, 6 minutes read time

The Promise of Blessing and Judgment

Verse and Context

Verse: Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

• “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

Context:

Genesis 15 records a pivotal moment in God’s covenant relationship with Abram (later Abraham). In the opening verses, Abram expresses concern to God that he remains childless and that his servant Eliezer would be his heir (Genesis 15:2–3). God responds with a direct promise: Abram will have a son from his own body, and his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:4–5). This promise comes at a time when Abram and Sarai are advanced in age, making the fulfillment seem humanly impossible.

It is in this setting that Genesis 15:6 declares: “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Abram’s response is not action, negotiation, or doubt, but faith. He trusts God’s word despite the circumstances, and God credits this faith as righteousness.

The broader chapter continues with God formally establishing His covenant with Abram through a covenant ceremony (Genesis 15:7–21), where God alone passes between the pieces of the զոհed animals; symbolizing that the fulfillment of the promise depends entirely on Him. This reinforces that Abram’s standing with God is based on faith in God’s promise, not on human effort.

Theologically, this verse becomes foundational for the doctrine of justification by faith. Later Scripture, including Romans 4:3 and Galatians 3:6, cites Genesis 15:6 to show that righteousness has always been granted through faith, pointing forward to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers

1. What does it mean that Abram “believed the LORD”?

Answer:
To “believe the LORD” means that Abram trusted God’s word as true and reliable, even when circumstances seemed to contradict it. At this point, Abram was old and still without a child, yet God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Abram’s belief was not mere intellectual agreement but a deep, personal trust in God’s character, faithfulness, and power. This kind of belief involves surrender, placing confidence in God rather than in human ability or visible evidence. Abram’s faith demonstrates that true belief rests on who God is, not on what we can see.

2. What does it mean that God “counted it to him as righteousness”?

Answer:
The phrase “counted it to him as righteousness” means that God credited Abram as righteous—not because of his works, but because of his faith. The word “counted” (or “credited”) is a relational and covenantal term, indicating that God regarded Abram as being in right standing with Him. This righteousness was not earned but granted. Abram was not sinless, but through faith, he was accepted by God as righteous. This establishes a foundational biblical principle: righteousness comes from God and is received through faith, not achieved through human effort.

3. Why is Genesis 15:6 considered a foundational verse for understanding salvation?

Answer:
Genesis 15:6 is foundational because it introduces the principle that justification, being declared righteous before God, is by faith. This verse is later quoted in the New Testament (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23) to explain how people are made right with God. It shows that salvation has always been based on faith, even before the Law was given. Abram lived centuries before Moses, yet he was justified by faith. This demonstrates that God’s plan of salvation is consistent throughout Scripture: righteousness is given by grace through faith, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ, in whom that righteousness is fully revealed.

4. How does Abram’s faith contrast with human tendencies?

Answer:
Abram’s faith contrasts sharply with the human tendency to rely on visible proof, personal effort, or logical certainty. Humans often seek control, wanting guarantees before trusting. Abram, however, trusted God’s promise despite his advanced age and Sarah’s barrenness. His faith required him to look beyond his circumstances and depend entirely on God’s word. This challenges believers to trust God even when His promises seem delayed or impossible, reminding us that faith often involves waiting and trusting without immediate fulfillment.

5. How does this verse connect to the New Testament teaching on faith?

Answer:
Genesis 15:6 is directly connected to New Testament teaching, especially in the writings of Paul. In Romans 4, Paul uses Abram as the prime example of justification by faith apart from works. He emphasizes that righteousness is credited to those who believe, just as it was to Abram. Similarly, in Galatians 3, Paul explains that those who have faith are children of Abraham. This shows continuity between the Old and New Testaments: faith has always been the means by which people enter into a right relationship with God. Abram becomes the spiritual father of all who believe.

6. What does this verse teach about the nature of God’s promises?

Answer:
This verse reveals that God’s promises are trustworthy and grounded in His character. Abram believed not because he saw immediate results, but because he trusted the One who made the promise. God’s promises often require patience and faith, as their fulfillment may not be immediate. This teaches that God’s timing and methods differ from human expectations, but His faithfulness never fails. Believers are called to trust that what God has spoken will come to pass, even if the fulfillment lies beyond current circumstances.

7. What is the difference between faith and works as seen in this passage?

Answer:
In Genesis 15:6, Abram is declared righteous before performing any notable works related to the promise. This highlights that faith precedes works. Works are the result of faith, not the cause of righteousness. Later in Genesis, Abram (Abraham) demonstrates his faith through obedience (e.g., Genesis 22), but his righteousness was already established in Genesis 15:6. This distinction is crucial: faith is the root, and works are the fruit. True faith naturally produces obedience, but it is faith itself that brings a person into right standing with God.

8. How should believers today respond to the truth of Genesis 15:6?

Answer:
Believers today are called to respond as Abram did; with trust in God’s word and promises. This means placing faith in God’s provision for righteousness through Jesus Christ rather than relying on personal merit. It also involves living a life that reflects that faith through obedience and dependence on God. Genesis 15:6 encourages believers to rest in the assurance that righteousness is a gift from God, received by faith, and to walk confidently in that relationship, trusting Him in all circumstances.