BOLD Ministry

We often view the people in the Bible as different than us. In some cases this is true, but in most it is far from the truth. Abraham, Abram, was in his day a very successful business person. He had people employed (Eleazar), he probably had strategic alliances (Lot) plus he also employed a pretty high level security detail, which was significant enough to rescue his nephew Lot when captured.

So when the Lord presents a proposition to Abraham as it relates to his legacy and posterity, Abraham, who successfully negotiated his nephew Lot's life when Sodom had come under judgement, recognized a 'good deal.'

"...the Lord: And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Gen 15:5-6

When the Lord offered this incredible promise, Abram’s response is, “Let’s get this in writing:" so to speak.

"And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me a heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 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; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And you shall go to thy fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.” Gen 15:8 -17.

Abraham should teach us about making deals with God. It seems that when we try to 'make a deal with God' we end up missing out, and we out-negotiate our position. When we allow God to negotiate for us, it seems we never loose.

The deal God offers to us in Christ, is definetly an option with a compelling value proposition. Jesus was able to negotiate a deal, not of a life time, but for eternity. So when presented the option, take the cross. Don't negotiate. Abraham understood a good deal when he saw one... learn from him.