Have you ever considered the voice of God in Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”?
In this verse God assures us that He has accurately foretold the events that will come to pass in the future and that His plans will surely come to pass. His prophecies concerning the future started in Genesis and conclude with all being accomplished in Revelation. It truly could be called a “back to the future” encounter as we delve into His prophetic words.
The Creator's plan of restoration can be seen throughout the holy Scriptures from the easiest level of prophetic redemption to a much deeper level of revelation, seen only by those who are shown these deep things by HaShem Himself. In Hebrew this is called PaRdes.
One such scripture that has very deep meaning can be found in John 8:56:
“Your father Abraham was glad that he should see My day, and he saw it and did rejoice.” (TS2009)
At this point one would have to ask the question, “when did Abraham see Messiah Yeshua's day?"
Although I have no doubt that he probably saw it many times, as hinted to in scripture, there is one day in particular that deserves some attention. As we will see the Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) alludes to this day as well.
In Genesis chapter 15 we read about the covenant that God made with Abraham. It is simple enough on the surface but what if you dig deeper, what can be discovered hidden deeper down? Let's read and examine this text more closely:
Genesis 15:1-18 “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 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. And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an 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 carcases, 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 thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 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. 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:”
I have many very important things to bring out here.
First, let's notice that these scriptures begin with HaShem and Abram discussing an heir. HaShem assures Abram that Eliezer will not be his heir but that he shall produce a “seed” from his own body. We know that promise was to include Sara and Isaac.
While these scriptures indicate both a physical and spiritual fulfillment, I wish to focus upon the spiritual in this lesson. We know that Isaac was the physical promise but Messiah Yeshua was the greater spiritual and physical promise. He was also the physical because He came from Isaac as well.
We know that a physical land is promised the descendants of Isaac but also we should understand that a much greater spiritual inheritance is being promised here. Scripture indicates that Abraham looked for a city not made with hands. (Hebrews 11:10)
Now for the meat of this lesson.
This conversation/vision that Abram had was given over two days. How do I know this? Because when God began speaking with Abram He told him to go outside and look up at the stars. Stars are seen at night, not during the day. So, one can make a correct assumption that they were speaking during the night.
Now, with HaShem's calendar a day goes from sunset to sunset. Keep this in mind. So, this day with the stars would have begun with the prior setting of the sun. The first day of the conversation/vision.
What else happened on this first day of the conversation/vision?
From the details we can conclude that Abram prepared the sacrificial animals during the day, for it states that he had to drive away the birds (vultures) that came to eat the divided animals. These vultures/birds of prey would not have been out except during the day time hours and the sun had not yet set because that is what the scripture later says. So, the animals are prepared during the first day.
After Abram has prepared his animals and has kept guard over them, in verse 12 we are told that the sun is now setting. This does not mean that it was the second day yet but it was sometime around 3pm or later but before the sun has set and before the second day of the conversation/vision had started. During this time period of the setting of the sun, 3pm onward till sunset, Abram has a horrifying vision (we will discuss this shortly).
Now, in verse 17 the second day of Abram's conversation/vision from HaShem begins for scripture records “the sun went down and it was dark”. Everything recorded of Abram's conversation/vision from God from this point forward takes place on the second day. Having presented these facts I will go on to some more facts.
In verse 7 it states that Abram had been called out by God from Ur of the Chaldees so that God could make of him a great nation and give him a land of promise. We read about this calling out in chapter 12 where it states in Hebrew “lech lecha” or “go to yourself” Abram. In English it is usually translated “get out”. So, Abram was called out by God from the land of his fathers and all of their pagan deities. He was to become the beginnings of God's new family. A family that God would use to restore all that had been lost since the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise.
Next, in verses 13-16 YHWH gives Abram a horrifying vision about his future descendants, descendants who had not even begun physically yet for Isaac had not yet been born. Notice that this vision happens before the setting of the sun. So, this vision happens on the first day of the conversation/vision between him and Elohim.
This vision encompasses a great deal more than meets the eye. In this vision God tells Abram about the captivity of his descendants and how they will serve strangers for 400 years. What does Abram see here? He sees the Egyptian captivity and the exodus from Egypt. He sees the plagues, and the death of the firstborn, the blood on the doorposts, the slaughter of the Paschal lamb. All of this was horrifying to Abram. Seeing into the future, if you ever have, can be terrifying even if there are elements of good in it. Tying all things together for good is difficult when bad things are also included within the vision.
Abram also sees his descendants inheriting the land that he then stood on. The physical land that God had already promised him.
But, what else did Abram see here? He saw the coming of the Messiah. He saw the redemption of the “family” by the blood of Messiah. This is truly when Abram saw the day of Messiah and rejoiced to see it. Although Abram saw terrifying things about the future of his descendants, as always, God did not leave him in a state of despair but He showed him the blessed hope of a final redemption, in Messiah Yeshua.
In verse 8, Abram had asked Elohim “how shall I know that I will inherit it?” Elohim gives him the answer by revealing these things to him but He also “cuts a covenant” with him. A covenant of blood. This assures Abram that he and his descendants will indeed inherit a land. Abram's concerns are laid to rest.
I will now reveal one more secret to this encounter with Abraham.
On what day did this covenant with Abram take place? It took place on the 14th and 15th day of what was to be the first month of the year, the month of Aviv, or Nissan.
As already shown, when Abram had this conversation/vision with Elohim it happened over two days. Just like the Passover out of Egypt, Abram prepared his sacrifice on the 14th day, the day of preparation. Then, after the sun set entering into the 15th day of the month, Elohim went through the sacrifices like a burning torch and consumed the sacrifices and sealed His covenant with Abram.
Elohim showed Abram the future event of Pesach/Passover which would take place on the 14th and 15th of Aviv on a future date (430 years later) when He would deliver Abram's descendants from Egyptian bondage.
Then, He showed Abram an event that would take place on a Passover even further along in history, when Messiah Yeshua, the prophesied “seed” of Abraham would come and shed His blood on a crucifixion stake as our Passover Lamb and would redeem Abram's “family” from sin. This also, of course, took place on the 14th and 15th day of Aviv.
No doubt, Abram also saw the final redemption when Messiah will return and the 2nd great exodus will take place.
According to the website hebrew4christians.com it is likely that the sojourn in Egypt began with the call of Abraham and God’s promise to him and ends with the exodus. The fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sojourned in Canaan for 215 years and their descendants lived in Egyptian bondage for an additional 215 years, resulting in the 430 years that is listed in Exodus 12:40-41 and Galatians 3:17.
How did I come to this conclusion?
In Exodus 12:36-42 we read:
“And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”
Observe, verse 36 states they came out having spoiled the Egyptians. This corresponds to Genesis 15:14 where He told Abram they would come out with great possessions.
Observe, verse 41 above states “430 years, EVEN ON THAT SAME DAY it came to pass. This corresponds to Genesis 15:18, “ON THE SAME DAY”. That day being the 15th of Aviv, Passover. The day that God went through the sacrifices like a burning torch is the same day He brought them out of Egypt. God brought Abram's descendants out of Egypt exactly 430 years TO THE DAY (15th of Aviv) that He cut His covenant with Abram.
Now, even Gill and JFB commentaries bring this out. They both recognize that it was a fulfillment of the promise made to Abram and an exact fulfillment to the day, exactly 430 years earlier.
Also, in the book of Galatians the Apostle Paul alludes to the same thing. In chapter 3:15-18. Again, in chapter 4:3-5 the Apostle Paul takes it to a very deep level.
In Galatians 4:3-5 as we read we are assured that the Messiah is being spoken about. This is true but a deeper parallel is being made. That is that Moses, who redeemed the children of Israel out of bondage, 430 years after the covenant with Abram, that same Moses also was a redeemer, born of a woman from among his own brethren at the fullness of time. Moses – born when his people were in bondage under a godless system, born to be a deliverer of his people at Passover.
In Acts 7:6 we also see that the covenant made with Abraham is the topic of the writer and he ties it with the Exodus.
Likewise, “a prophet like Moses” also came to redeem His people born under bondage to legalistic oral traditions of man and pagan world systems, born of a woman (virgin) from among His own people, born to redeem them from bondage at Passover.
Abram's covenant was sealed with a sign. The sign of circumcision. The Apostle Paul even ties all of this together in Galatians with Abram and the “better covenant” of Yeshua the Messiah to which all of the covenants fitly joined together point towards.
This is why Yeshua could say that Abram saw His day and rejoiced. This is also why the Apostle Paul could say in Romans 10:4 that “Messiah was the goal of Torah”; not the “end” of Torah as some English translations state, but the “goal” of Torah. The written Torah brought us to a mirror and showed us that our face was dirty but Yeshua brought us a basin with soap and water so that we could wash clean. The blood of bulls and goats could never wash us clean but His blood could.
Just as Abram had his on “lech lecha” (get out) moment, we to have been called out to honor our heavenly Father as His children, His set-apart family, the family of Abraham. Children who have left behind their pagan fathers with all of their lies, traditions, and their worship of false gods. We have been called out to go to our Promised Land. A land that Abram saw and longed for. A land that we see coming down out of the heaven as the New Heaven and New Earth in the book of Revelation. A land of which John recorded in Revelation 21:27:
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."
Whose name will be written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Those who are like Abraham. Those who are obedient to YHWH's charge and keep His “commands, laws and torot” (Genesis 26:5) (TS2009)
Now you should know why the Apostle Paul talks about Abraham so much, because, we shall “know the end from the beginning”. Wanna know about God's dealings with human beings? Go BACK TO THE FUTURE!
Shalom Leisa
