CHAP. XV.
THe Prophets transition from the pre∣cedent narration to another, sheweth the history of the Church continued as it was in Abraham and his family unto the 86th year of his age. This whole Chap∣ter is taken up in a twofold revelation of Gods will in things to come upon his Church.
1. In a vision of comfort made to Abram when he was waking. Ver. 1.11.
2. In a discovery of some sad events upon his Church to him, when he was sleeping yet with some revivings in renewing his Covenant. Ver. 12.21.
- 1. In the vision of comfort are two heads.
1. The ascertaining to Abram the seed of the Church, ver. 1.6.
2. The ascertaining the place and inhe∣ritance of the Church, ver. 7.11.
1. In the assurance made by God of the seed. These particulars are observable.
1. Gods appearance to Abram in a ge∣neral way of consolation. ver. 1.
2. Abrams return to God. Ver. 2.
3. Gods reply again upon Abram. Ver. 4.5,
4. Abrams acquiescence in Gods word, Ver. 6.
1. The general word of comfort is thus given.
Ver. 1. After these words or things, was the word of Jehovah to Abram, in a vision, saying, Fear not Abram, I thy shield, thy reward much exceedingly. — I pro∣tect thee, thy reward shall be exceeding great. Sept. — The word was from before the Lord to Abram in Pro∣phesy saying, &c. My word shall be thy strength, thy reward too too much. Cald.
In this general discovery of comfort, we have.
1. The time of it pointed out. After these things. — It may be read af∣ter these words, that is those very words with the king of Sodom, wherein he de∣clared his living above creatures in those great undertakings; and as well, after these things, for so the expression, both Hebrew and Greek may hold out; now so it notes all the transactions thus farre, to the restoring of every man his own after the conquest. All those matters ended, God now appears again.
2. The author of it, Jehovah by his word — The onely true God. He that was, that is, and that is to come, the eternal, he giveth out his word for comfort. Au∣thorizing, as to the Prophet. Isai. 1.1. and 40 1.
3. The subject to whom it commeth, to Abram — It is the heir of pro∣mise, whom God had called out of his own country, brought into Canaan, honored with so great a conquest before his ene∣mies; and yet he now humbled, and stan∣ding in need of some reviving.
4. The manner of appearance of this word from Jehovah. It was in a vision saying. — So the Hebrew, and Greek agree, the Caldee, in Prophesy, which may be no unfit paraphrase. Several wayes of Gods appea∣ring of old we have; but two usually, both which fall upon Abram. Num. 12.6.
1. Vision, which is some visible dis∣covery of God to men, when they are wa∣king, such was here to Abram, and such were to Jeremy, Ezekiel, Zechary, Pe∣ter and John.
2. Dream, which God was pleased to give for sometimes to his servants as here, afterward he shewed somthing to Abram, so he hath somtimes by it made known things to his enemies, as to Pharaoh, Gen. 41. and to Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 2