Genesis chapter 15- Learning Patience

Have you ever been impatient for God's purposes to come to completeness. To help we may want to search out God's thinking on the matters.

When Abram was getting old and had not yet had a son, he spoke with his God about the matter. Jehovah, in turn, reassured him. The result? Abram "put faith in Jehovah." If we open our hearts to Jehovah in prayer, accept his reassurances from the Bible, and obey him, like Abram our faith will be strengthened. (Gen 15:5,6)

Jehovah enlightened Abram with knowledge that his offspring would be afflicted. Yes, blessings for Abrams offspring would come, but in time, not right away. In fact, the Bible states there would be a 400-year affliction of Abram's offspring. (Gen 15:13) After that, during the fourth generation they would return to the land promised to them and they would inherit the "land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates." -Genesis 15:18. Why would this take so long?

Jehovah withheld the execution of his judgment upon the Amorites, (or, Canaanites) for four generations. Why? Because he is a patient God. He waited until all hope of improvement was gone. (Gen 15:16) Like Jehovah, we need to be patient with our imperfect neighbors and even strangers, providing them with a good example and sharing with them God's viewpoint from his own word.

These are three main points that I enjoyed in this chapter 15 of Genesis.

1. Jehovah reassures his faithful servants when they need it.

2. Jehovah does not leave his loyal ones in the dark, but always let's them know what to expect.

3. Jehovah is patient, not quick to judge, but always looking for the positive efforts of those that apply what they learn about His purposes. Yet, Jehovah will act to safeguard his servants from those who defiantly refuse to apply God's standards in their own lives.