Genesis 12

Genesis 12:17-21

17. And it came to pass, that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smokeying furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18. In that same day the LORD 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. 19. The Kenites, and the Kenizites, and the Kadronites, 20. And the Hitites, and the Perizites, and the Rephaims, 21. And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgathites, and the Jebusites.

God confirms the covenant by a visible sign, and particularly describes the bounds of their inheritance.

1. The signs, emblematic of the state of the people. A smokeying furnace, alluding to their affliction, and a lamp of fire to guide them through the smoke and darkness. Note, Though the furnace of affliction be a dark and dreary state, there is light down for the righteous; and they who are under divine guidance, need not be cast down under the severest pressures.

2. The confirmation of the covenant, by the passing of the lamp between the slain beasts. Such was the custom in men’s solemn covenant, to pass between the divided bodies, as an awful rush, that the violator of it ought thus to be cast in slander; and perhaps this fire consumed the sacrifice, and was a farther mark of its acceptance, Judges xiii. 3. Note, (1.) How great are God’s condemnations, thus to humble himself to our weakness. (2.) No firm covenant with God, without a sacrifice of atonement. Blessed be God for the blood of the Lamb that was slain, in whom all the promises of God are ye and amen.

3. The boundaries of the land of promise. It is as fast as if they were already in possession. Note, He that believeth, HATH everlasting life, John iii. 30.