Suzerain - vassal contracts in Abrahams time were between a superior and a subordinate. They were irrevocable and bound the parties together for life. The terms were confirmed by cutting one or more animals in half and walking in between the pieces. If one of the parties did not keep his end of the bargain, the other had the right to saw him asunder like the animals had been.
"And it came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp (maragin: flaming torch) that passed between the pieces." Genesis 15:17
God, the Suzerain, is represented by that flaming torch. When He walked down that bloody path between the pieces, He put Himself on the line. Abraham did not walk in between the pieces; if the contract was boroken only God's life would be forfeited. In this relationship with Him we hold no risk. Our God is a "consuming fire" that was extinguished. His fiery heart was pierced in two because we broke the contract.
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