The Blood Path

Eddiebromley   -  

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+15%3A7-18&version=ESV

A lot of inspiration for this series comes from BEMA discipleship.  Check them out at: https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/

Discussion Question:  What area of your life has it been most difficult to trust into the Lord’s hands?

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” – Romans 5:7-9

Head/Mind – The Helpful Information

Read Genesis 15

In the ancient world, when a weaker nation entered into an agreement with a more powerful nation, either as a way of suing for peace, or in order to avoid a military confrontation, they would enter into something called a Suzerain covenant.  The stronger nation was the Suzerain or Sovereign and the weaker nation was the vassal state.  

The two nations would literally cut a covenant; meaning, they would sacrifice animals, and cut them in half.   They would then arrange the animals halves, so that they formed a path for the two covenant partners to through which to walk walk.  Usually this was set up on an incline, so that the blood would run down the center of the path, called “The Blood Path.”  

The terms of the covenant would then be read aloud.  On the conditions of loyalty being paid to the Sovereign nation, the weaker nation would enjoy the protection and benefits of the Sovereign.   In the event of the weaker party being unfaithful, consequences and punishments would be enacted by the Sovereign nation.  The two parties would then walk the blood path, with the weaker nation going first.  And the message was, If I break the conditions of this covenant, may my fate be like those of these animals.”  

As the weaker party, Abram is supposed to walk the path first.  But, how can he do that?  He has not been able to fully keep up his end of the bargain.  What happens if he shows weakness or fails again?  Abraham is perhaps depressed or terror stricken because he knows he cannot uphold his end of the bargain.  He is paralyzed and does nothing.  

Heart – The Personal Connection

When God led the people out of Egypt, he did so in what form?  A pillar/tower of fire by night, and pillar/tower of smoke by day.   The first readers of Genesis would immediately put two and two together. Abraham is supposed to walk first, but God, in his mercy, walks the blood path and then speaks to Abraham.

Notice, he does not even ask Abraham to walk the path.  It is as if God says, “I will walk the blood path on both of our behalves.  I know you cannot hold up your end.  I will hold the covenant together.  I’ll pay the price and uphold both ends.  

Two thousand years later, God would become human so that he could walk the blood path for us.  He would pay the ransom for our sins. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “He became sin, who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God.”

Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his love for us in that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

Colossians 1:13-14 say, “God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Hands – The Practical Application

Two thousand years ago, Jesus walked the blood path for us.  As he made his way to Calvary, he was willing paying the price for our ransom.  He was guaranteeing the New Covenant by the purchase of his blood.  

Jesus has done everything necessary for your salvation.  He has made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins. He has made it possible for you to receive eternal life.  He has made it possible for you to become something new.  He has made it possible for you to know God intimately.   But this free gift must be received.  How?

First, you must confess your need for his grace.  You must recognize that you are hopelessly lost without it.  You must recognize that now matter how smart you are, how rich, how talented, or even how kind and spiritual you are, that without Jesus, you will spend an eternity lost, because your true home is God.  

Second, you must turn away from a self-directed life, dictated by your own preferences, and surrender every aspect of your life to him.  

Third, you must call out to him, asking him to forgive you, to receive your life as a living sacrifice, and asking him to send the Holy Spirit to be present in your life.  

The Bible says that if we confess with our mouth, and believe in our heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, we will be save

Discipleship:  The bedrock of our faith is the faithfulness of God in Christ.  He is the firm foundation on which we stand.

Questions for Discussion: What does it mean to you that God has promised to maintain covenant with us?  In what ways do you rely on his faithfulness?  How does his faithfulness help you when your faithfulness falters?