Abraham’s Covenant and the Suzerain-Vassal Treaty

The teaching begins with an exploration of Genesis 15, where God reaffirms His promise to Abraham to give him the land, despite Abraham’s moment of doubt: “How can I be sure?” This leads into a discussion of the Suzerain-Vassal Treaty, an ancient agreement between a superior (Suzerain) and an inferior (vassal). Typically, the vassal would walk between halved animals to signify their commitment to the covenant under penalty of death, while the Suzerain offered benefits like protection or land. In this case, Abraham prepares the animals as instructed—cutting a heifer, goat, ram, and birds—but something extraordinary is about to unfold, setting this covenant apart from human conventions.

God’s Astonishing Act

As Abraham falls into a deep sleep, he witnesses a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passing between the animal halves—symbols of God Himself. Shockingly, Abraham does not walk through; God takes both roles, acting as both Suzerain and vassal. This unilateral act signifies that God alone guarantees the covenant’s fulfillment, promising Abraham’s descendants land and eventual liberation from 400 years of slavery. The vision also foretells Abraham’s peaceful death and the return of his descendants after four generations, highlighting God’s sovereign control over the promise and its timeline.

The Covenant’s Fulfillment in Christ

The teaching draws a profound connection between this event and Jesus Christ. God’s act of passing through the pieces prefigures Jesus, who, as both divine and human, fulfills humanity’s part of the covenant. Unable to uphold our end due to sin, humanity needed a representative—Jesus, born of the Spirit and a woman, becomes the vassal who ensures the covenant’s success. This mirrors the Abrahamic Covenant as a model for the New Covenant, where God the Father establishes the promise, and God the Son secures it through His sacrifice, making it unbreakable and unconditional for those who believe.

Eternal Assurance and the Holy Spirit

The significance of this dual fulfillment is staggering: God covers both the superior and inferior roles, ensuring the covenant’s eternity. The Holy Spirit, given to believers, serves as the deposit and witness of this unbreakable bond, affirming that salvation is not contingent on human effort but on God’s faithfulness. Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel broke, this faith-based covenant with Abraham—renewed through Christ—stands firm. The teaching concludes with a call to trust in this divine assurance, marveling at God’s love and commitment to cover every angle so His people can never lose their eternal promise.