Genesis 15:5-6 Meaning and Commentary
Genesis 15:5-6
“5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:5-6 Meaning
In Genesis 15:5-6, God takes Abram (later known as Abraham) outside and instructs him to look up at the sky and count the stars. God assures Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abram believes the Lord’s promise, and because of his faith, God considers Abram righteous.
Genesis 15:5-6 Commentary and Explanation
In Genesis 15:5-6, we are presented with a profoundly significant moment in the life of Abram, who later becomes known as Abraham. This passage encapsulates a key aspect of the biblical narrative – the promise of God and the faith of His people.
God takes Abram outside and asks him to gaze up at the night sky, urging him to count the stars if he can. This divine act is not just a casual stargazing session; it’s a symbolic gesture with a profound message. The countless stars serve as a visual representation of God’s promise to Abram regarding his descendants. God tells him, “So shall your offspring be.” This promise echoes a previous one in Genesis 12:2, where God had told Abram, “I will make you into a great nation.”
What makes this moment particularly remarkable is verse 6: “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Abram’s faith in God’s promise is the pivotal point in this passage. It’s a powerful example of how faith is counted as righteousness in the eyes of God.
This idea of faith as righteousness is a recurring theme in the Bible. The New Testament, especially in the writings of the Apostle Paul, expounds upon this concept. Romans 4:3 cites this very passage when discussing Abraham’s faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Here, Paul uses Abraham’s example to illustrate how faith in Christ justifies us before God, emphasizing that it is not by works but through faith that we are made righteous (Romans 3:28).
As we reflect on Genesis 15:5-6, we can draw a few vital lessons from it. First and foremost, it reminds us of the faithfulness of God’s promises. Just as God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by making him the father of many nations, we can trust that God is faithful to His promises in our lives as well (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Secondly, this passage underscores the importance of faith in our relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our faith, like Abraham’s, is counted as righteousness when we trust in God’s character and His promises.
Genesis 15:5-6 offers a profound insight into the relationship between God and humanity, highlighting the significance of faith in God’s promises. It’s a reminder that, like Abraham, our faith in God’s faithfulness and promises can be credited to us as righteousness. As we look to the countless stars in the night sky, we can find assurance in God’s unchanging faithfulness and take inspiration from Abraham’s faith in the face of incredible promises.
Context of Genesis 15:5-6
Genesis 15:5-6 marks a significant moment in Abram’s journey of faith. Prior to these verses, God had promised Abram that he would have descendants, and his name would be great (Genesis 12:2). However, Abram and his wife Sarai remained childless. Abram expressed his concern to God, and God assured him that his own son would be his heir (Genesis 15:4). These verses follow this conversation.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 15:5-6
God’s promise: God tells Abram to look at the stars and assures him that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This promise is a powerful demonstration of God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring about what He declares.
Abram’s belief: Abram’s response to God’s promise is crucial. He chooses to believe God’s word, even though it seemed impossible from a human perspective. His faith in God’s promise is what sets him apart and leads to him being regarded as righteous.
Credited as righteousness: God credits Abram’s faith as righteousness. This concept of righteousness is crucial throughout the Bible. It signifies being in right standing with God, and it can only be obtained through faith. Abram is considered righteous not because of anything he has done but because of his unwavering trust in God’s promise.
Lessons From Genesis 15:5-6
- Faith in God’s promises: This passage teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s promises, even when they seem impossible. Just as Abram trusted God’s promise of numerous descendants, we should have faith in God’s promises to us. God’s promises are sure and reliable, and our faith in Him enables us to receive the blessings He has in store for us.
- Righteousness by faith: Abram’s faith is credited to him as righteousness. This highlights the biblical truth that righteousness is not earned through our works or deeds but is received by faith. We are made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf. Our righteousness comes from believing in Him and His finished work on the cross.
- God’s faithfulness: God’s promise to Abram was fulfilled when he became the father of many nations, with descendants as numerous as the stars. This serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His word. Just as God was faithful to His promise to Abram, He will be faithful to His promises to us. We can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass in His perfect timing.
Biblical Translations of Genesis 15:5-6
Genesis 15:5-6 King James Version (KJV)
“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.”
Genesis 15:5-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
“And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
“Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!’ And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Genesis 15:5-6 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
“The Lord took Abram outside and said, ‘Look at the sky and see if you can count the stars. That’s how many descendants you will have.’ Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord was pleased with him.”
Final Thoughts
Genesis 15:5-6 provides us with a powerful example of faith and righteousness. Abram’s belief in God’s promise and his faith in God’s character set him on a path of blessing and favor. As believers, we can learn from Abram’s example and trust in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. Our righteousness comes not through our own efforts but through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us hold fast to our faith, knowing that God’s promises are sure and reliable, just as He fulfilled His promise to Abram.
