Genesis 15:1

"’The word of the LORD came.’ This is a phrase typically introducing revelation to a prophet, e.g., 1 Samuel 15:10; Hosea 1:1; but in Genesis it is found only here and in Genesis 15:4 of this chapter. Abraham is actually called a prophet in Genesis 20:7. It prepares the way for the prophecy of the Egyptian bondage in Genesis 15:13-16." [Note: Wenham, Genesis 1-15, p. 32]

Only in Genesis 15:1 and Genesis 22:1; Genesis 22:11 did God address Abram directly. Visions were one of the three primary methods of divine revelation in the Old Testament along with dreams and direct communications (cf. Numbers 12:6-8).

"By his bold intervention and rescue of Lot, Abram exposes himself to the endemic plague of that region-wars of retaliation. [Note: "See Sarna, [Understanding Genesis, pp.] 116, 121, 122."] This fear of retaliation is the primary reason for the divine oracle of 15.1 which could be translated: ’Stop being afraid, Abram. I am a shield for you, your very great reward.’ Yahweh’s providential care for Abram is to be seen as preventing the Mesopotamian coalition from returning and settling the score." [Note: Helyer, p. 83.]

The promise of reward (Heb. shakar), coming just after Abram’s battle with the kings, resembles a royal grant to an officer for faithful military service. [Note: M. G. Kline, Kingdom Prologue, p. 216.] God would compensate Abram for conducting this military campaign even though he had passed up a reward from the king of Sodom. The compensation in view consisted of land and descendants (cf. Psalms 127:3).