The Long View
Genesis 15:12–16 (NASB95)
12Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14“But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15“As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. 16“Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”
God’s plan stands firm, even when human choices seem to threaten it. His justice is patient, and His timing is perfect.
God revealed to Abram a vision that reached far beyond his own lifetime. As darkness fell, God caused a deep sleep to come over Abram. In that moment, God spoke of a future when Abram’s descendants would live as strangers in a land not their own. They would endure four hundred years of slavery and suffering. Why would God tell Abram this? What benefit did it have for Abram? I do not think this prophecy was for Abram’s immediate comfort. Instead, God spoke for the benefit of those who would read the Torah and for all believers who would come after. God wanted us to know that He sees every event before it happens. Human actions, even the worst acts of oppression, cannot stop His plan.
God’s words about the Amorites in verse 16 reveal His moral character. He explained that the Israelites would not take possession of the land until the Amorites’ wickedness reached its full measure. God’s justice is not rushed. He waits until judgment is fully deserved. The Amorites would become completely corrupt, and only then would God allow Israel to conquer the land. This shows that the wars Israel fought were not acts of aggression but acts of divine justice. God’s timing is always tied to His righteousness. He does not act until the moral case is complete.
God’s revelation to Abram gives us a window into His sovereignty and justice. He knows the future. He is patient with evil, giving every opportunity for repentance. But when wickedness is complete, He acts with perfect justice. The story of Israel’s conquest is not about power or land. It is about God’s commitment to justice and His faithfulness to His promises.
The church today can find hope in God’s foreknowledge and justice. When we see evil in the world, we can trust that God is not surprised or powerless. He is patient, but He will act at the right time. Our role is to trust His plan, even when we do not see the full picture. God’s justice will prevail, and His promises will stand. Let us live with confidence, knowing that God remains in control and His promises will come true.