Genesis 15.  Abram had just rejected the reward offered him by the king of Sodom.  Next, the LORD promises that his “reward shall be very great” (1).  The LORD gives him a glimpse into his ultimate future by showing him a sky full of stars.  The LORD says “so shall your offspring be” (5).

The next question Abram has is about his possession of the land.  The LORD has Abram act out a sign where some sacrificial animals are placed on the ground, and Abram protects them from the birds of prey.  Will Abram see his descendants come into the land?  No, he is in a deep sleep, and dreadful and great darkness falls upon him.   God explains that “As for yourself, you will go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. and they shall come back here in the fourth generation” (15:15-16a).

LORD, may we trust you for the future of our descendants, like father Abraham did.