Matthew Henry on Genesis 15:17-21

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The smoking furnace and the burning lamp, probably represented the Israelites' severe trials and joyful deliverance, with their gracious supports in the mean time. It is probable that this furnace and lamp, which passed between the pieces, burned and consumed them, and so completed the sacrifice, and testified God's acceptance of it.

So it intimates that God's covenants with man are made by sacrifice, Ps 50:5. And we may know that he accepts our sacrifices, if he kindles in our souls pious and devout affections. The bounds of the land granted are stated.

Several nations, or tribes, are spoken of, that must be cast out to make room for the seed of Abram. In this chapter we perceive in Abram faith struggling against, and triumphing over, unbelief. Wonder not, believers, if you meet with seasons of darkness and distress.

But it is not the will of God that you should be cast down: fear not; for all that he was to Abram he will be to you.

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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:1-21Genesis 15:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryFaith. The substance of this chapter is the special intercourse between Jehovah and Abram. On that foundation faith rests. It is not feeling after God, if haply he be found; it is a living confidence and obedience, base…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:7-21Genesis 15:7-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:12-17Genesis 15:12-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryAbraham's watch and vision. "And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep," &c. The great blessings promised are still afar off. As yet Abraham has no son to hand down his name to posterity. By means of a vision God st…Matthew Henry on Genesis 15:17-21Genesis 15:17-21 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere is, I. The covenant ratified (Genesis 15:17); the sign which Abram desired was given, at length, when the sun had gone down, so that it was dark; for that was a dark dispensation. 1. The smoking furnace signified t…The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:17Genesis 15:17 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd it came to pass, that, when the sun went down,—literally, and it was (i.e. this took place), the sun went down; less accurately, ἐπεὶ δὲ ὁ ἤλιιος ἐγένετο πρὸς δυσμὰς (LXX.), which was the state of matters…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:1-21Faith. The substance of this chapter is the special intercourse between Jehovah and Abram. On that foundation faith rests. It is not feeling after God, if haply he be found; it is a living confidence and obedience, base…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:7-21EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:12-17Abraham's watch and vision. "And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep," &c. The great blessings promised are still afar off. As yet Abraham has no son to hand down his name to posterity. By means of a vision God st…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Genesis 15:17-21Here is, I. The covenant ratified (Genesis 15:17); the sign which Abram desired was given, at length, when the sun had gone down, so that it was dark; for that was a dark dispensation. 1. The smoking furnace signified t…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down,—literally, and it was (i.e. this took place), the sun went down; less accurately, ἐπεὶ δὲ ὁ ἤλιιος ἐγένετο πρὸς δυσμὰς (LXX.), which was the state of matters…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:18Taken into covenant. I. THE BLESSING OF THE COVENANT. 1. The ultimate blessing, to which, in both the commencement and close of the present section, the prominence is assigned, was a splendid inheritance—the land of Can…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 15:18-21In that day the Lord made a covenant—literally, cut a covenant (cf. ὅρκια τέμνειν, foedus icere). On the import of בְּרִית vide Genesis 9:9)—with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors