Yes, God gave a specific prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15.
In Genesis 15:13, God told Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a land not theirs (Egypt) and would be afflicted for 400 years. Les Feldick emphasizes this as the beginning of genuine prophecy, where God foretold future events that would come true exactly as spoken.
Genesis 15:13 — This verse directly contains the prophecy that Abraham's seed would be strangers in a foreign land and afflicted for 400 years.
In Genesis 15:13, God told Abram, "Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years." The next verse adds, "And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance." This prophecy foretold Israel's sojourn in Egypt and God's judgment on Egypt, followed by their exodus with great wealth.
Les Feldick teaches that Genesis 15:13 is "probably the beginning of genuine prophecy." He explains that God is telling Abraham things that will take place in the future, long into the future, and they will come true exactly as He says. He specifically identifies the "land that is not theirs" as Egypt. Les also points out that this prophecy is part of God's covenant with Abraham, which promised that from him would come a nation (Israel) that would be placed in a specific land and governed by God. Furthermore, Les notes that in Genesis 15, Abraham asked, "whereby shall I know that I'll inherit this land?" and God responded by performing a covenant ceremony, which Les calls "Israel's deed" to the land.
Les Feldick explains that the prophecy in Genesis 15 is part of the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to make Abraham a great nation, give them a specific homeland, and provide a government (with God as king). The prophecy about the 400 years of affliction is a preview of how that nation would be formed — through slavery in Egypt and subsequent deliverance.
Les Feldick indicates that God gave this prophecy to show that He is sovereign over history and that His promises are reliable. By foretelling specific events (the affliction, the judgment on Egypt, and the exodus with wealth), God demonstrated that He controls the future. This builds faith in Abraham and in believers today.
In Genesis 15, Abraham asked for assurance about inheriting the land. Les Feldick explains that God 'literally descended to man's level and went through the very rites of transferring real estate.' Abraham was put to sleep, and God passed through the pieces of the sacrificed animals, making a unilateral covenant. Les calls this 'Israel's deed' to the land.
Abrahamic Covenant Overview
Les explains that the Abrahamic covenant promises a nation, a land, and a government, and that this prophecy is part of that covenant.
Covenant Ceremony
Les describes how God confirmed the covenant by performing a real estate transfer ceremony, calling it 'Israel's deed'.
God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15
All right, now let's chase some Scriptures. But for now, let's just establish the fact that indeed when God made this covenant with Abraham that He promised them to be a nation. Let's take that first, not the land but the nation. Genesis 15, come down to verse 2, and all these things just point up how human all these patriarchs were.
Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith
Now I�m emphasizing that, and I�m taking it slowly, because I want you to remember now that what God promises, He is not going to let fail. And so in spite of the age of Abraham now nearing 100, and Sarah nearing 90, the promise is valid, because God said He�s going to do it. And He said, I�m going to give you a son, and you will call his name Isaac.
Abraham’s Test of Faith: Why God Asked for Isaac – Bible Study
But anyhow, in verse 15, the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time and said, verse 16, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and you have not withheld thy son, thy only son, now watch verse 17 and be reminded, you've seen this before, you've heard it before, that in blessing I will bless thee, in multiplying I will multiply thy…
Abraham Believed God — Romans 4 & Justification by Faith
So here again, I think the Lord is there in human form, standing with Abraham on those mountains of central Israel, and they're looking out all four directions, and now look what He says. Verse 5 of Genesis 15, and He brought him forth abroad and said, "...look now toward heaven, and count the stars, not the dust, not the particles of the earth, but the heavenly bodies.
The Prophecy Itself
Les reads Genesis 15:13-14, emphasizing that this is the beginning of genuine prophecy and that the land is Egypt, with affliction for 400 years.
The Meaning of Adonai: Understanding God as Master
And behold, the word of the Lord, capitalized now, Jehovah, came unto him saying, This, Lot, shall not be thine heir, but he that shall come forth unto thine own, now I use the word innermost being, we don't like the word in our present time as it's used in the King James, and he that shall come out of your innermost being shall be thine heir. He hasn't even been born yet.
Genesis 15:13: And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
This is the direct prophecy that answers the question.
Genesis 15:14: And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
This complements the prophecy, foretelling Egypt's judgment and the exodus with wealth.
Genesis 15:18: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
This connects the prophecy to the land promise, showing the covenant context.
God promised Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land (Egypt) and be afflicted for 400 years, and that He would judge that nation and bring them out with great wealth.
Yes, according to the Bible and Les Feldick, the prophecy was fulfilled when Israel was enslaved in Egypt and later delivered during the Exodus.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Old Testament Never Predicted the Church Age