Chapter 15:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis 15
Concise Complete
God encourages Abram. (1) The Divine promise, Abraham
is justified by faith. (2-6) God promises Canaan to Abraham for an inheritance.
(7-11) The promise confirmed in a vision. (12-16) The promise confirmed by a
sign. (17-21)
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.
Chapter 15:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
