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Scott's Reference Library
Genesis 15:1 through Genesis 15:12 (NIV)
1After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
2But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain
childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And
Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be
my heir.”
4Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a
son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5He took him outside and said,
“Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then
he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
6Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
7He also said to him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans
to give you this land to take possession of it.”
8But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession
of it?”
9So the LORD said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years
old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.”
10Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves
opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11Then birds of
prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.
12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful
darkness came over him.
Genesis 15:17 through Genesis 15:18 (NIV)
17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing
torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18On that day the LORD made a
covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the
river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSE 1
God assured Abram of safety and happiness; that he should for ever be safe. I am
thy shield; or, I am a shield to thee, present with thee, actually caring for
thee. The consideration that God himself is, and will be a shield to his people,
to secure them from all evils, a shield ready to them, and a shield round about
them, should silence all perplexing, tormenting fears.
VERSES 2-6
Though we must never complain of God, yet we have leave to complain to him; and
to state all our grievances. It is ease to a burdened spirit, to open its case
to a faithful and compassionate friend. Abram’s complaint is, that he had no
child; that he was never likely to have any; that the want of a son was so great
a trouble to him, that it took away all his comfort. If we suppose that Abram
looked no further than outward comfort, this complaint was to be blamed. But if
we suppose that Abram herein had reference to the promised Seed, his desire was
very commendable. Till we have evidence of our interest in Christ, we should not
rest satisfied; what will all avail me, if I go Christless? If we continue
instant in prayer, yet pray with humble submission to the Divine will, we shall
not seek in vain. God gave Abram an express promise of a son. Christians may
believe in God with respect to the common concerns of this life; but the faith
by which they are justified, always has respect to the person and work of
Christ. Abram believed in God as promising Christ; they believe in him as having
raised him from the dead, Romans 4:24. Through faith in his blood they obtain
forgiveness of sins.
VERSES 7-11
Assurance was given to Abram of the land of Canaan for an inheritance. God never
promises more than he is able to perform, as men often do. Abram did as God
commanded him. He divided the beasts in the midst, according to the ceremony
used in confirming covenants, Jeremiah 34:18, 19. Having prepared according to
God’s appointment, he set himself to wait for the sign God might give him. A
watch must be kept upon our spiritual sacrifices. When vain thoughts, like these
fowls, come down upon our sacrifices, we must drive them away, and seek to
attend on God without distraction.
VERSES 12-16
A deep sleep fell upon Abram; with this sleep a horror of great darkness fell
upon him: a sudden change. The children of light do not always walk in the
light. Several things were then foretold. 1. The suffering state of Abram’s seed
for a long time. They shall be strangers. The heirs of heaven are strangers on
earth. They shall be servants; but Canaanites serve under a curse, the Hebrews
under a blessing. They shall be suffers. Those that are blessed and beloved of
God, are often sorely afflicted by wicked men. 2. The judgment of the enemies of
Abram’s seed. Though God may allow persecutors and oppressors to trample upon
his people a great while, he will certainly reckon with them at last. 3. That
great event, the deliverance of Abram’s seed out of Egypt, is here foretold. 4.
Their happy settlement in Canaan. They shall come hither again. The measure of
sin fills gradually. Some people’s measure of sin fills slowly. The knowledge of
future events would seldom add to our comfort. In the most favoured families,
and most happy lives, there are so many afflictions, that it is merciful in God
to conceal what will befall us and ours.
VERSES 17-21
The smoking furnace and the burning lamp, probably represented the Israelites’
severe trials and joyful deliverance, with their gracious supports in the mean
time. It is probable that this furnace and lamp, which passed between the
pieces, burned and consumed them, and so completed the sacrifice, and testified
God’s acceptance of it. So it intimates that God’s covenants with man are made
by sacrifice, Psalms 50:5. And we may know that he accepts our sacrifices, if he
kindles in our souls pious and devout affections. The bounds of the land granted
are stated. Several nations, or tribes, are spoken of, that must be cast out to
make room for the seed of Abram. In this chapter we perceive in Abram faith
struggling against, and triumphing over, unbelief. Wonder not, believers, if you
meet with seasons of darkness and distress. But it is not the will of God that
you should be cast down: fear not; for all that he was to Abram he will be to
you.