How does Exodus 18:4 connect with God's promises in Genesis 15:1? Key Texts • Genesis 15:1: “After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’” • Exodus 18:4: “and the name of the other was Eliezer, because he had said, ‘The God of my father was my helper and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.’” What God Promised Abram • “I am your shield” – divine protection from every threat • “Your very great reward” – personal, ongoing relationship and provision • The promise is unconditional and eternally anchored in God’s character (cf. Hebrews 6:13–18) How Moses Testifies to That Same Promise • Moses names his second son Eliezer (“My God is help”) • He explains the name: God “delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh” • By doing so, Moses publicly links his own rescue to the original “shield” promise given to Abram Echoes Between the Two Passages • Shield → Delivered from the sword • Very great reward → A son safely born in Midian, family preserved • Fear not → Moses had fled Egypt in fear, now proclaims confidence The Covenant Thread 1. Abram receives the promise (Genesis 15:1) 2. The covenant is confirmed through Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:24; 28:15) 3. Israel’s patriarchs descend to Egypt, yet God’s pledge stands (Genesis 46:3–4) 4. Moses, a descendant of Levi, experiences that same shield and help (Exodus 2–14) 5. Naming Eliezer marks the ongoing faithfulness of God’s word across generations Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 33:29 – “He is your shield and helper.” • Psalm 33:20; 115:9–11 – God as “help and shield.” • Psalm 124:8 – “Our help is in the name of the LORD.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “I will help you.” • Hebrews 13:6 – “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Implications for Believers Today • God’s promises are consistent; what He declared in Genesis, He performs in Exodus—and still performs today. • Personal testimonies (like Moses naming Eliezer) remind communities of God’s covenant reliability. • Trust moves from abstract doctrine to lived reality when we recount concrete deliverances. • The same Lord who was Abram’s shield and Moses’ help remains the believer’s sure defense and reward (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). |
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