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
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
God's Promise to Abraham v. 1. After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great Reward. After these happenings, after Abram had returned to his home at Hebron, the Lord spoke to him in a vision, while Abram was in a state of ecstasy, under the influence of God. Solemnly Jehovah reassures His servant in the face of the many dangers that surround him, in view, also, of the fact that he is still without a child:... read more
FOURTH SECTIONAbram the approved Warrior of Faith, and God his Shield and his Reward. His longing for an Heir, and his thought of Adoption anticipating any exigency in the case. The great Promise of God. Abram’s Faith under the Starry Heavens. The Symbol of the Starry Heavens. The righteousness of Faith. The Covenant of Faith, and the repeated Promise Genesis 15:1-211After these things [events of the war] the word of the Lord came [renewed itself] unto Abram in vision, saying, Fear not, Abram:... read more
Abram’s Vision of the Future Genesis 15:1-21 Abram had good reason to fear the vengeance of the defeated kings; but the divine voice reassured him. For all of us there is need of a shield, because the world hates us; and for each God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made. Refuse to take even the shoe-latchets of Sodom, and God will be your exceeding great reward. The patriarch addressed God as Adonai Jehovah, which occurs only twice more in the Pentateuch. While he was... read more
This is the account of the fourth direct appearance of Jehovah to Abram and evidently it had direct connection with what had immediately preceded. Abram had passed through two conflicts, the first with kings, the second with the suggestion of enrichment from the treasury of Sodom. In both he had been victorious. Now the divine voice declared, first, "I am thy shield," reminding him of how his victory over the kings had been obtained; while the second word, "I am . . . thy exceeding great... read more
God's Covenant with Abram Genesis 15:1-18 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The dependency of God. When men make a covenant they may break their covenant. God's covenants are certified. God covenanted with Noah that there should never be another deluge. He placed His bow in the clouds as His pledge. Millenniums have passed and that covenant has never been broken. God made His covenant to Abram that he should become a great nation and that all the earth should be blessed in him. That covenant has been... read more
Genesis 15:1-Joshua : . From some unnamed cause Abraham is afraid; Yahweh encourages him in a vision with the assurance of Divine protection; some deed is deemed worthy of the promise, “ thy reward shall be exceeding great” ( mg.) . “ But what reward,” he answers, “ O Lord Yahweh, wilt thou give that can be of value to me? since I go hence ( mg.) childless, and my heir is a home-born slave.” To die without a child was to have one’ s name rooted out on earth. In Sheol there was continuance of... read more
Genesis 12:1 to Genesis 25:18 . The Story of Abraham.— In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources, one connecting Abraham with Hebron, the other with Beersheba and the Negeb. The former associates Abraham with Lot. (For details, see ICC.) On the interpretation to be placed on the figures of Abraham and the patriarchs, see the Introduction. The interest, which has hitherto been diffused... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 15:1-21
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