Genesis 15

Genesis 15:1

REward] that is, the good which through my grace thou shalt have according to thy faith; wherewith I will requite thy faithfull service. Others have it, I am thy shield and thy great reward] That is as much as to say, in mee and in my grace consisteth all the good which thou canst expect or look for.

Genesis 15:2

Seeing] This is sayd, because that God in all his promises to Abraham made mention of his posterity, in regard of which, they were chiefely made; and therefore it seemed that his want of issue would make them frustrate The Steward] For want of children I am constrained to put all my goods into the hands of a servant, who is a stranger, who is the second person in my house, See Genesis 24:2.

Genesis 15:6

Beleeved] This faith in that particular promise, was an Essay or proofe of Abrahams generall faith, in the promises of Gods grace, upon which this particular faith was also grounded. So that Gods approving of it for an act of Justice is drawne by the Apostle, and applyed to the justification by faith in Christ, by reason of the agreement that is between them. For first as Abraham is here justified, for having believed in the promises of God, so is the faithfull man justified before God, for his lively faith in his Redeemer, in whom is all his justice. Secondly, as in this particular faith Abraham groundeth himselfe onely upon Gods power, goodnesse, and truth; all naturall meanes being wa〈…〉ng. Romans 4:18-19. So justifying faith acknowledgeth it selfe to be void of all vertue, and justice, and utterly renounceth them, relying onely upon the grace of God for the obtayning of salvation and life.

Genesis 15:8

Whereby] he asketh this question, not out of incredulity contrary to that faith, which is before commended: but out of an humble desire to be strengthned against the infirmities of the flesh. See Jud. 6. 17. 37. and a King. 20. 8. Isaiah 7:11. Luke 1. 18. 34.

Genesis 15:9

An heifer] Here are implyed all kindes of Beasts fitting for sacrifices. See Le1. 3. 10. 14. Now this ceremony of passing through, between the parts of the sacrifice, which was afterwards observed in the confirmation of solemne Covenants. Jeremiah 34:18. is here brought in by the Lord, for the same end, in the 17 of three yeares] Some have it, three of each kind.

Genesis 15:10

Divided them] All this was done by Gods appoyntment, to whom it belongeth to appoynt all signes that are confirmatives of his grace, divided he not]This ceremony of not cutting the Fowles in pieces, which were offered in Sacrifice, was afterwards confirmed by Moses, Leviticus 1:15; Leviticus 1:17.

Genesis 15:11

The Fowles] It seemeth to signifie the Disturbances, which evill spirits doe offer to the Elect, by wandring thoughts, or otherwise.

Genesis 15:12

A deep] Abraham was ravished in an extasie, during which, God sheweth himselfe unto him in Majesty, imprinting in his soule the knowledge and certainty of those things whereof hee laid the signes before him A horrour] Ordinary tokens of Gods presence.

Genesis 15:13

Foure hundred] In which are comprehended all the Pilgrimages of Abraham, and his posterity, from the birth of Isack, untill the comming forth of Egypt, and the number of foure hundred is set down from four hundred and five, according to the exact number.

Genesis 15:15

To thy Fathers] To death, which hath already carryed away all thy fore-fathers.

Genesis 15:16

Generation] It seemeth hee meaneth an hundred yeares, which time, or thereabouts was in those dayes the age of man. Others take these words for a lineall degree, and take the beginning of it, at the peoples comming into Egypt.For the] I deferre the giving of this Countrey to thy children, till that time: because I will doe it to the destruction of those wicked people; and I have set downe so long a time for my patience to last towards them. See Matthew 23:32. 1 Thessalonians 2:16.

Genesis 15:17

Furance] A Type of Gods Majesty, who is a devouring fire, yet hidden from man, as a fire in an Oven is: yet there comes a blaze out, which did represent some manifestation of God, passing through the middest of the parts of those beasts, to confirme his covenant; now it is uncertaine whether this did happen in a mentall, or in a corporall visin.

Genesis 15:18

From the River]. It was a little river upon the confines of Egypt, elsewhere called Sihon.

Genesis 15:19

The Kenites] Which are the Midianites. See Numbers 24:21. Jud. 1. 16. 1. Sam. 15. 6. Here so named by anticipation Kenizites] This nation is named no where else; it seemeth they were Idumeans, descended from Kenaz of Esau’s race. Gen. 36. 15. 42. Now, though in the first conquest of the countrey God did forbid the invading of the Idumeans, Deuteronomy 2:4. yet were they afterwards subdued by David. 2 Samuel 8:14 Kadmonites] or Easterly: these were the Arabians. Jud. 6. 3. and 7. 12.