Genesis 15:1

The word of the Lord. This new revelation of the Lord differs from previous ones, both in form and in substance, and constitutes another distinct turning point in Abram’s life. The remarkable phrase “the word of the Lord [Yahweh, Jehovah],” afterward so common in the Scriptures (Ex. 9:20; Num. 3:16; Deut. 34:5; 1 Sam. 3:1; Jer. 1:4, 11; etc.), is used here for the first time. This phrase, inseparably connected with the work of prophets, is most fitting for this divine revelation to Abram (see Gen. 15:4, 5, 13-16, 18-21), the more so since God Himself refers to Abram as a prophet (ch. 20:7).

In a vision. Though this is not the first vision recorded in the Bible, the word “vision” is here used for the first time. The revelations of God occurred in different ways, whether to patriarchs, prophets, evangelists, or apostles: (1) By the personal manifestation of the second person of the Godhead, afterward incarnate for the salvation of mankind, for example, Deut. 34:10. (2) By an audible voice, sometimes accompanied by the appearance of symbols, as at Jesus’ baptism, in Matt. 3:16, 17. (3) By the ministry of angels appearing as human beings and performing miracles to accredit their mission, as to Samson’s mother, in Judges 13:3-7. (4) By the powerful agency of the Spirit of God upon the mind, imparting to it a clear conception and strong persuasion of the truth of the things perceived, as with Paul, in Acts 20:23. (5) By dreams, as in Jacob’s experience, in Gen. 28:11-15. (6) By visions occurring by either day or night, as in the instance discussed here or that of Balaam, in Num. 24:4, 16. The last two were the more common forms God used to communicate His will to men. This accords with the divine pronouncement, “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Num. 12:6).

Fear not. These reassuring words were designed to set Abram’s mind at ease. The Mesopotamian kings might return to avenge their defeat, or the heathen Canaanites, already jealous of his growing power, might attack. But God promised to be his “shield,” the symbol of protection in ancient warfare (see Ps. 3:3), and his “reward.” Abram had experienced both during the preceding military expedition, for God had protected him in battle and rewarded him with victory. He must believe that God would continue to do for him what He had done in the past.