Footnotes

1. Genesis 15:1 This chapter begins the contributions of the Elohist tradition, which frequently, as here, is fused with the Yahwist tradition. Twice, at different moments (vv. 1, 7), God reminds Abraham of his promises, but the latter complains privately to him that he has as yet received no fruit from them. At the divine confirmation Abraham renews his faith and the Lord acknowledges him as righteous. St. Paul will conclude from this that human beings attain to the life of grace not through works they have done but because they believe (Gal 3:5-9).
   Using the image of a smoking flame, an habitual symbol of the power and mystery of God, the latter himself carries out the ancient rite of passing between the parts of the sacrificial victims. Abraham is not asked to join in this passage but is simply present to the vision; the reason for this is that the covenant is a completely free act of God.