15:2 And Abram said, {a} Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?(a) His fear was not only lest he should not have children, but lest the promise of the blessed seed should not be accomplished in him. read more
THE PROMISE OF GOD AND ITS CONFIRMATION Abram having proven that he was not seeking gain for himself, but depending on the God of heaven and earth, then the Lord gives him His word of wonderful encouragement, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward" (v.11). It is not simply that God would protect him and reward him, but rather that the Lord Himself was his protection and the Lord Himself his reward. Abram therefore was not merely to have confidence in what... read more
THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT THE CONFEDERATED KINGS (Genesis 14:1-12 ) How does the Revised Version translate “nations” in Genesis 14:17 In what valley was the battle joined (Genesis 14:3 )? How is that valley now identified? Against what six peoples did Chedorlaomer and his confederates campaign in the fourteenth year (Genesis 14:5-7 )? You will find these peoples located on the east and south of the Dead Sea. Who were victors in this case (Genesis 14:10 )? How did they reward themselves... read more
Abram's Domestic Life Genesis 15:0 and Genesis 16:0 I take these two chapters together, as completing one view of Abram's domestic life. It may be well to take notice that, up to this point, everything has gone on in regular order, with the exception of one great and solemn event. We have found just what we might have looked for: the growth of the population, the spreading out of families and tribes into distant places, a little invention, and the beginnings of discovery and progress. There... read more
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. Those expressions are not the language of unbelief, but of humble enquiry. See Genesis 12:2 and Genesis 13:16 . It is sweet to spiritualize. Doth not every faithful son of Abram say the same, until Christ, the promised seed, is formed in the heart? read more
And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. How instant sometimes are the divine communications! See that promise, Isaiah 65:24 . read more
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. God had before promised, that his seed should be as the dust of the earth. Genesis 13:16 . Here it is promised to be as the stars of heaven; meaning, perhaps, not only that the seed should be numerous, but glorious. read more
I shall go. To what purpose should I heap up riches, since I have no son to inherit them? Abram knew that God had promised him a numerous posterity; but he was not apprized how this was to be verified, and whether he was to adopt some other for his son and heir. Therefore, he asks modestly, how he out to understand the promise. --- And the son, &c. Hebrew is differently rendered, "and the steward of my house, this Eliezer of Damascus." We know not whether Eliezer or Damascus be the proper... read more
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... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 15:1-21
CHAPTER 15 The Fourth Communication and the Covenant and the Vision 1. The fourth communication (Genesis 15:1 ) 2. Abram’s answer (Genesis 15:2-3 ) 3. The promised seed (Genesis 15:4-5 ) 4. Abram counted righteous (Genesis 15:6 ) 5. Continued communication (Genesis 15:7-8 ) 6. The divided animals (Genesis 15:9-11 ) 7. The vision (Genesis 15:12-17 ) 8. The covenant made (Genesis 15:18-21 ) The connection with the previous chapter is extremely precious. Abram had honored the Lord... read more