Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 15
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 15
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 15
"After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward." — Genesis 15:1 (ASV)
God assured Abram of safety and happiness: that he would forever be safe. I am thy shield; or, I am a shield to you, present with you, actually caring for you.
The consideration that God himself is and will be a shield to his people—a shield to secure them from all evils, a shield ready for them, and a shield around them—should silence all perplexing, tormenting fears.
"And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; But he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness." — Genesis 15:2-6 (ASV)
Though we must never complain about God, we have permission to complain to Him and to state all our concerns. It brings ease to a burdened spirit to share its situation with a faithful and compassionate friend. Abram's complaint was that he had no child, that he was never likely to have one, and that the lack 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, in this, had reference to the promised Seed, his desire was very commendable. Until we have evidence of our share in Christ, we should not rest satisfied. What will all this benefit me, if I go Christless? If we continue persistent in prayer, yet pray with humble submission to the divine will, we will not seek in vain.
God gave Abram a specific promise of a son. Christians may believe in God regarding the common concerns of this life; but the faith by which they are justified always relates 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.
"And he said unto him, I am Jehovah that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, O Lord Jehovah, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away." — Genesis 15:7-11 (ASV)
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 to God without distraction.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full." — Genesis 15:12-16 (ASV)
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.
The suffering state of Abram's seed for a long time. They will be strangers. The heirs of heaven are strangers on earth. They will be servants; but Canaanites serve under a curse, the Hebrews under a blessing. They will be sufferers. Those who are blessed and beloved of God, are often sorely afflicted by wicked men.
The judgment of the enemies of Abram's seed. Though God may allow persecutors and oppressors to trample upon his people for a long time, he will certainly reckon with them at last.
That great event, the deliverance of Abram's seed out of Egypt, is here foretold.
Their happy settlement in Canaan. They will come here 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.
"And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces. In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenite, and the Kenizzite, and the Kadmonite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Rephaim, and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Girgashite, and the Jebusite." — Genesis 15:17-21 (ASV)
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