Genesis 15:17-2117And 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. 18In 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: 19The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (Genesis 15:17‑21)
“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.”
It might be thought that this was merely a dream that overtook Abram, but it is apparent that in the darkness, God did produce a literal smoking furnace and burning lamp for Abram’s eyes to see. The sacrifices prepared by Abram in accordance with God’s instructions were types of Christ, the one true Sacrifice, offering Himself without spot to God.
In the smoking furnace and the burning lamp we have set forth in figure the history of Israel and of God’s dealings with them. The smoking furnace tells of those times in their history when they were brought into suffering and trial, particularly the long period of their bondage in Egypt, as Abram was given to see. “For they be Thy people, and Thine inheritance, which Thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron.” 1 Kings 8:5151For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron: (1 Kings 8:51). But they were often to experience the furnace on their journey toward Canaan, especially in those periods of disobedience when God’s correction was required. Then there was their captivity in Babylon, and in their present dispersed condition they are still passing through the furnace.
But the burning lamp told of a light in the midst of the darkness. David could say, “The LORD is my light and my salvation,” Psalms 27:11<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1); and again, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105). The lamp tells of divine grace that has ever shone forth, first to proclaim a way of escape from sure judgment, and then to guide through the midst of the darkness of this world.
The smoking furnace and the burning lamp passing between the pieces of the sacrifice then are a type of the fire that consumes the dross, “For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:2929For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)); and a light for the path.
These symbols, appearing between the pieces of the sacrifice, are a reminder that it was only through the work of Calvary that light could shine in the hearts of those overtaken in darkness. The darkness tells us of a moral condition that has overtaken this world in its rejection of Christ. John’s Gospel tells us that “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not,” and that “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 1:5; 3:205And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:5)
20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:20). The Lord Jesus was the true Light of the world, and those who know Him as Saviour are called to “walk as children of light.”
“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:...” 10:18-21. The whole land that was to be Abram’s inheritance is defined for him and the promise bound up in a divine covenant. The land of Palestine was later contained within these borders.
ML 06/13/1965