Entrance into the Ark. GENESIS, VII, VIII. currence. The public opinion of mankind would ridicule it. The whole world would be ranged against him. Yet, persuaded the communication was from God, through faith (Hebrews, 11. 7,1, he set about preparing the means for preserving himself and family from the impending calamity. 14. Make thee an arkark, a hollow chest (Exodus, 2. 3.). gopher wood-probably cypress, remarkable for its durability, and abounding on the Armenian mountains. rooms cabins or small cells. pitch it within and withoutmineral pitch, asphalt, naphtha, or some bituminous substance, which, when smeared over and become hardened, would make it perfectly water-tight. 15. And this is the fashion-According to the description, the ark was not a ship, but an immense house in form and structure like the houses in the East, designed not to sail, but only float. Assuming the cubit to be 21,888 inches, the ark would be 547 feet long. 91 feet 2 inches wide, and 47 feet 2 inches high-that is, three times the length of a first-rate man-of-war in the British navy. 16. A window-probably a skylight, formed of some transparent substance unknown. in a cubit shalt thou finish it above-a direction to raise the roof in the middle, seemingly to form a gentle slope for letting the water run off. 17-22. And, behold, I. even I, do bring a flood-The repetition of the announcement was to establish its certainty (ch. 41. 32.). Whatever opinion may be entertained as to the operation of natural laws and agencies in the deluge, it was brought on the world by God as a punishment for the enormous wickedness of its inhabitants. 18. But with thee will I establish my covenant-a special promise of deliverance, called a covenant, to convince him of the confidence to be reposed in it. The substance and terms of this covenant are related between v. 19 and 21. 22. Thus did Noah-He began without delay to prepare the colossal fabric, and in every step of his progress faithfully followed the Divine directions he had received. CHAPTER VII. Assuaging of the Waters. "covered him round about." The "shutting him in" intimated that he had become the special object of Divine care and protection, and that to those without the season of grace was over (Matthew, 25. 10.). 17. the waters increased, and bare up the ark-It seems to have been raised so gradually as, perhaps, to be scarcely perceptible to the inmates. 20. Fifteen cubits upward... and the mountains were covered-twenty-two and a-half feet above the summits of the highest hills. The language is not consistent with the theory of a partial deluge. 21. all flesh died... fowl... cattle, and... creeping thing-It has been a uniform principle in the Divine procedure, when judgments were abroad on the earth, to include every thing connected with the sinful objects of His wrath (ch. 19. 25; Exodus, 9. 6). Besides, now that the human race were reduced to one single family, it was necessary that the beasts should be proportionally diminished, otherwise by their numbers they would have acquired the ascendancy. and overmastered the few that were to re-people the world. Thus goodness was mingled with severity; the Lord exercises judgment in wisdom, and in wrath remembers mercy. 24. an hundred and fifty days-a period of five months. Though long before that every living creature must have been drowned, such a lengthened continuance of the flood was designed to manifest God's stern displeasure at sin and sinners. Think of Noah during such a crisis. We learn (Ezekiel, 14. 14) that he was a man who lived and breathed habitually in an atmosphere of devotion; and having in the exercise of this high-toned faith made God his refuge, he did not fear "though the waters roared and were troubled; though the mountains shook with the swelling thereof." CHAPTER VIII. Ver. 1-14. ASSUAGING OF THE WATERS. 1. God remembered Noah-The Divine purpose in this awful dispensation had been accomplished, and the world had undergone those changes necessary to fit it for becoming the residence of man under a new economy Ver. 1-24. ENTRANCE INTO THE ARK. 1. And the of providence. every living thing... in the ark-A Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the beautiful illustration of Matthew, 10. 29. and God ark-The ark was finished; and he now, in the spirit made a wind to pass over the earth-Though the Divine of implicit faith, which had influenced his whole con- will could have dried up the liquid mass in an instant duct, waited for directions from God. 2, 3. Of every-the agency of a wind was employed (Psalm 104. 4)-clean beast... fowls-pairs of every species of animals probably a hot wind, which, by rapid evaporation, except the tenants of the deep were to be taken for would again absorb one portion of the waters into the preservation of their respective kinds. This was the atmosphere; and by which, the other would be the general rule of admission, only with regard to gradually drained off by outlets beneath. 4. seventh those animals which are styled "clean," three pairs month-of the year-not of the flood-which lasted were to be taken, whether of beasts or birds; and the only five months. rested-evidently indicating a calm reason was that their rapid multiplication was a and gentle motion. upon the mountains of Ararat-or matter of the highest importance, when the earth Armenia, as the word is rendered (2 Kings, 19. 37; should be renovated from their utility either as Isaiah, 37, 38.). The mountain which tradition points articles of food or as employed in the service of man. to, as the one on which the ark rested, is now called But what was the use of the seventh? It was mani- Ara Dagh-the finger mountain. Its summit consists festly reserved for sacrifice; and so that both during of two peaks-the higher of which is 17,750 feet, and Noah's residence in the ark, and after his return to the other 13,420 above the level of the sea. 5. And the dry land, provision was made for celebrating the rites waters decreased continually-The decrease of the waters of worship according to the religion of fallen man. was for wise reasons exceedingly slow and gradualHe did not, like many, leave religion behind. He the period of their return being nearly twice as long as provided for it during his protracted voyage. 4. For that of their rise. 6. at the end of forty days-It is easy to yet seven days-A week for a world to repent! What imagine the ardent longing Noah and his family must a solemn pause! Did they laugh and ridicule his have felt to enjoy again the sight of land as well as folly still? He whose eyes saw, and whose heart felt breathe the fresh air; and it was perfectly consistent the full amount of human iniquity and perverseness, with faith and patience to make inquiries, whether has told us of their reckless disregard (Luke, 17. 27.). the earth was yet ready. 7. And he sent forth a raven9. There went in two and two-Doubtless they were led The smell of carrion would allure it to remain if the by a Divine impulse. The number would not be so earth were in a habitable state. But it kept hovering large as at first sight one is apt to imagine. It has about the spot, and, being a solitary bird, probably been calculated that there are not more than three perched on the covering. 8-11. Also he sent forth a hundred distinct species of beasts and birds, the im- dove-A bird flying low and naturally disposed to remense varieties in regard to form, size, and colour, turn to the place of her abode. 10. again he sent forth being traceable to the influence of climate and other a dove-Her flight, judging by the time she was abroad, circumstances. 16, and the Lord shut him in-lit., was pursued to a great distance, and the newly Departure from the Ark. GENESIS, IX, X. God's Covenant signified by the Rainbow. life of every man, even the poorest and humblest, and an awful criminality is involved in the destruction of it. plucked olive leaf, she no doubt, by supernatural | not lost. In this view, a high value is attached to the impulse, brought in her bill, afforded a welcome proof that the declivities of the hills were clear. 12. he... sent forth the dove: which returned not... any more-In these results, we perceive a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinct-we discern the agency of God guiding all the movemts of this bird for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household. other seven days-a strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his residence in the ark. 13, 14. Noah removed the covering of the ark-probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode till he had received the express permission of God. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life. 12. DEPARTURE FROM THE ARK. 15, 16. And God spake... Go forth-They went forth in the most orderly manner-the human inmates first-then each species "after their kinds," lit., according to their families, implying that there had been an increase in the ark. 20. Noah builded an altar-lit., "a high place" -probably a mound of earth, on which a sacrifice was offered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced. took of every clean beast, and ... fowl-For so unparalleled a deliverance, a special acknowledgment was due. 21. The Lord smelled a sweet savour-The sacrifice offered by a righteous man like Nosh in faith, was acceptable as the most fragrant incense. Lord said in his heart-same as "I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth" Isaiah, 54. 9.). "for"-i.e., "though the imagination is evil," instead of inflicting another destructive flood, I shall spare them to enjoy the blessings of grace, through a Saviour. 22. While the earth remaineth-The consummation as intimated in 2 Peter, 3. 7, does not frustrate a promise which held good only during the continuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up. (CHALMERS.] CHAPTER IX. 8-29. RAINBOW. 13. I do set my bow in the cloudSet, i.e., constitute or appoint. This common and familiar phenomenon being made the pledge of peace, its appearance when showers began to fall would be welcomed with the liveliest feelings of joy. 20. And Noah planted a vineyard-Noah had been probably bred to the culture of the soil, and resumed that employment on leaving the ark. 21. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken-perhaps at the festivities of the vintage season. This solitary stain on the character of so eminently pious a man must, it is believed, have been the result of age or inadvertency. 24. This incident could scarcely have happened till twenty years after the flood; for Canaan, whose conduct was more offensive than that even of his father, was not born till after that event. It is probable that there is a long interval included between these verses, and that this prophecy, like that of Jacob on his sons, was not uttered till near the close of Noah's life, when the prophetic spirit came upon him; this presumption is strengthened by the mention of his death immediately after. 25. Cursed be Canaan-this doom has been fulfilled in the destruction of the Canaanites-in the degradation of Egypt, and the slavery of the Africans, the descendants of Ham. 26. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem-rather, "Blessed of Jehovah, my God, be Shem"-an intimation that the descendants of Shem should be peculiarly honoured in the service of the true God-His Church being for ages established amongst them (the Jews), and of them concerning the flesh Christ came. They got possession of Canaan, the people of that land being made their "servants" either by conquest, or, like the Gibeonites, by submission. 27. God shall enlarge Japheth-pointing to a vast increase in posterity and possessions. Accordingly his descendants have been the most active and enterprising, spread over the best and largest portion of the world, all Europe and a considerable part of Asia. he shall dwell in the tents of Shem-a prophecy being fulfilled at the present day, as in India British government is established, and the Anglo-Saxons being in the ascendant from Europe to India, from India over the American continent. What a wonderful prophecy in a few verses! Isaiah, 46. 10; 1 Peter, 1. 25. CHAPTER X. Ver. 1-7. COVENANT. 1. And God blessed NoahHere is republished the law of nature that was announced to Adam, consisting as it originally did of several parts. Be fruitful, &c.-The first part relates to the transmission of life, the original blessing being re-announced in the very same words in which it had Ver. 1-32. GENEALOGIES. 1. sons of Noah - The been promised at first. 2. And the fear of you and the historian has not arranged this catalogue according dread of you-the second re-establishes man's dominion to seniority of birth; for the account begins with the over the inferior animals; it was now founded not as descendants of Japheth, and the line of Ham is given at first in love and kindness, but in terror; this dread before that of Shem, though he is expressly said to be of man prevails among all the stronger as well as the the youngest or younger son of Noah; and Shem was weaker members of the animal tribes, and keeps away the elder brother of Japheth (v. 21,), the true renderfrom his haunts all but those employed in his service. ing of that passage. generations, &c.-the narrative of 3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you- the settlement of nations existing in the time of the third part concerns the means of sustaining life: Moses, perhaps only the principal ones; for though man was for the first time, it would seem, allowed the the list comprises the sons of Shem, Ham, and Jarse of animal food, but the grant was accompanied pheth, all their descendants are not enumerated. with one restriction. 4. But flesh... the blood... shall Those descendants, with one or two exceptions, are ye not eat-The sole intention of this prohibition was described by names indicative of tribes and nations, to prevent these excesses of cannibal ferocity in eating and ending in the Hebrew im, or the English ite. 5. flesh of living animals, to which men in the earlier the isles of the Gentiles-a phrase by which the Hebrews ages of the world were liable. 5. surely your blood of described all countries which were accessible by sea your lives will I require-The fourth part establishes a (Isaiah, 11. 11; 20. 6; Jeremiah, 25. 22.). Such in relanew power for protecting life-the institution of the tion to them were the countries of Europe, the penincivil magistrate (Romans, 13. 4.), armed with public sula of Lesser Asia, and the region lying on the east and official authority to repress the commission of of the Euxine. Accordingly, it was in these quarters violence and crime. Such a power had not previously the early descendants of Japheth had their settleetired in patriarchal society. 6. Whoso sheddeth ments. 6. sons of Ham-emigrated southward, and raan's blood... for in the image of God made he man-It is their settlements were-that of Cush in Arabia, of true that image has been injured by the fall, but it is I Canaan in the country known by his name, and Confusion of Tongues. GENESIS, XI, XII. CHAPTER XII. Call to Abram. Mizraim in Egypt Upper and Lower. It is generally admission that the design was practicable, and would thought that his father accompanied him, and per- have been executed but for the Divine interposition. sonally superintended the formation of the settle- lest we be scattered-To build a city and a town was no ment, whence Egypt was called "the land of Ham." crime; but to do this, to defeat the counsels of heaven 8. Nimrod-mentioned as eclipsing all his family in by attempting to prevent emigration, was foolish. renown. He early distinguished himself by his daring wicked, and justly offensive to God. 7. confound their and successful prowess in hunting wild beasts. By language-lit., their lip; it was a failure in utterance, those useful services he earned a title to public occasioning a difference in dialect which was intelligratitude; and, having established a permanent gible only to those of the same tribe. Thus easily by ascendancy over the people, he founded the first God their purpose was defeated, and they were comkingdom in the world. 10. the beginning of his king-pelled to the dispersion they had combined to predom-This kingdom, of course, though then considered vent. It is only from the Scriptures we learn the true great, would be comparatively limited in extent, and origin of the different nations and languages of the the towns but small forts. 11. Out of that land went world. By one miracle of tongues men were dispersed, forth Asshur-or, as the Margin has it, "He (Nimrod) and gradually fell from true religion. By another, at the head of his army went forth into Assyria," i.e., national barriers were broken down-that all men he pushed his conquests into that country. and might be brought back to the family of God. 28. Ur builded Nineveh-opposite the town of Mosul, on the (now Orfa), i.e., light, or fire. Its name probably Tigris, and the other towns were near it. This raid derived from its being devoted to the rites of fireinto Assyria was an invasion of the territories of worship. Terah and his family were equally infected Shem, and hence the name "Nimrod." signifying with that idolatry as the rest of the inhabitants "rebel," is supposed to have been conferred on him | (Joshua, 24. 16.). 31. Sarai his daughter-in-law-the from his daring revolt against the Divine distribution. same as Iscah, grand-daughter of Terah, probably by 21. Unto Shem-The historian introduces him with a second wife, and by early usages considered marmarked distinction as "the father of Eber." the riageable to her uncle Abraham. and they came unto ancestor of the Hebrews. 23. Aram-In the general Haran-two days' journey South-South-East from Ur. division of the earth, the countries of Armenia, Meso- in the direct road to the ford of the Euphrates at potamia, and Syria, fell to his descendants. 24. Rakka, the nearest and most convenient route to Arphaxad-The settlement of his posterity was in the Palestine. extensive valley of Shinar, on the Tigris, towards the southern extremity of Mesopotamia, including the Ver. 1-20. CALL TO ABRAM. 1. Now the Lord had country of Eden and the region on the east side of said unto Abram-It pleased God, who has often been the river. 25. Peleg; for in his days was the earth found of them who sought him not, to reveal himself divided-After the flood (ch. 11. 10-16) the descendants to Abraham perhaps by a miracle; and the converof Noah settled at pleasure, and enjoyed the produce sion of Abraham is one of the most remarkable in of the undivided soil. But according to Divine in- Bible history. Get thee out of thy country-His being struction, made probably through Eber, who seems brought to the knowledge and worship of the true to have been distinguished for piety or a prophetic God had probably been a considerable time before. character, the earth was divided, and his son's name, This call included two promises: the first, showing "Peleg." was given in memory of that event. See the land of his future posterity; and the second, that Deuteronomy, 32. 8; Acts, 17. 26. 32. These are the in his posterity all the earth was to be blessed. Abrafamilies of the sons of Noah after their generations, in ham obeyed, and it is frequently mentioned in the their nations, &c.-This division was made in the most New Testament as a striking instance of his faith orderly manner; and the inspired historian evidently (Hebrews. 11. 8.). 5. into the land of Canaan... they intimates that the sons of Noah were ranged accord-came-with his wife and an orphan nephew. Abram ing to their nations, and every nation ranked by its reached his destination in safety, and thus the first families, so that every nation had its assigned terri- promise was made good. 6. the place of Sichem-or tory, and in every nation the tribes, and in every Shechem, a pastoral valley then unoccupied (cf. ch. tribe the families, were located by themselves. 33. 18.). plain of Moreh-rather, the "terebinth tree of Moreh, very common in Palestine, remarkable for Ver. 1-32. CONFUSION OF TONGUES. 1. the whole its wide-spreading branches and its dark green foliage. earth was of one language-The descendants of Noah, It is probable that in Moreh there was a grove of these united by the strong bond of a common language, had trees, whose inviting shade led Abram to choose it for not separated, and notwithstanding the Divine com- an encampment. 7. Unto thy seed will I give this land mand to replenish the earth, were unwilling to sepa--God was dealing with Abram not in his private and rate. The more pious and well-disposed would of personal capacity merely, but with a view to high course obey the Divine will; but a numerous body- and important interests in future ages. That land seemingly the aggressive horde mentioned (ch. 10. 10.), his posterity was for centuries to inhabit as a pecudetermined to please themselves by occupying the liar people; the seeds of Divine knowledge were to be fairest region they came to. 2. land of Shinar-the sown there for the benefit of all mankind; and confertile valley watered by the Euphrates and Tigris sidered in its geographical situation, it was chosen in was chosen as the centre of their union and the seat Divine wisdom the fittest of all lands to serve as the of their power. 3. brick-there being no stone in that cradle of a Divine revelation designed for the whole quarter, brick is and was the only material used for world. and there builded he an altar unto the Lord-By building, as appears in the mass of ruins which at the this solemn act of devotion he made an open profesBirs Nimroud may have been the very town formed sion of his religion, established the worship of the by those ancient rebels. Some of these are sun-dried true God, and declared his faith in the promise. 10. -others burnt in the kiln and of different colours. there was a famine... and Abram went down into Egypt slime - bitumen, a mineral pitch, which, when did not go back to the place of his nativity, as rehardened, forms a strong cement, commonly used gretting his pilgrimage and despising the promised in Assyria to this day, and forming the mortar found land (Hebrews, 11. 15,), but withdrew for a while into on the burnt-brick remains of antiquity. 4. a tower a neighbouring country. 11-13. Sarai's complexion, whose top may reach unto heaven-a common figurative coming from a mountainous country, would be fresh expression for great height (Deuteronomy, 1. 28; 9. 1-6.). and fair compared with the faces of Egyptian women 6. now nothing will be restrained from them-an apparent which were sallow. The counsel of Abram to her was CHAPTER XI. Return from Egypt. GENESIS, XIII, XIV. He seems, though a good man, to have been too much Lot taken Prisoner. true in words, but it was a deception, intended to | of view, but most inexpedient for his best interests. give an impression that she was no more than his sister. His conduct was culpable and inconsistent with his character as a servant of God: it showed a reliance on worldly policy more than a trust in the promise; and he not only sinned himself, but tempted Sarai to sin also. 14. when Abram was come into Egypt -It appears from the monuments of that country that at the time of Abram's visit a monarchy had existed for several centuries. The seat of government was in the Delta, the most northern part of the country, the very quarter in which Abram must have arrived. They were a race of shepherd kings, in close alliance with the people of Canaan. 15. the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house-Eastern kings have for ages claimed the privilege of taking to their harem an unmarried woman whom they like. The father or brother may deplore the removal as a calamity, but the royal right is never resisted nor questioned. 16. he entreated Abram well for her sake-The presents are just what one pastoral chief would give to another. 18-20. Here is a most humiliating rebuke, and Abram deserved it. Had not God interfered he might have been tempted to stay in Egypt, and forget the promise (Psalm 105. 13, 15.). Often still does God rebuke His people and remind them through enemies that this world is not their rest. CHAPTER XIII. Ver. 1-24. WAR. 1. And it came to pass-This chap. ter presents Abram in the unexpected character of a warrior. The occasion was this: The king of Sodom and the kings of the adjoining cities, after having been tributaries for twelve years to the king of Elam, combined to throw off his yoke. To chastise their rebellion, as he deemed it, Chedorlaomer, with the aid of three allies, invaded the territories of the refractory princes-defeated them in a pitched battle, where the nature of the ground favoured his army (v. 10,), and hastened in triumph on his homeward Ver. 1-18. RETURN FROM EGYPT. 1. went up...south march, with a large amount of captives and booty, -Palestine being a highland country, the entrance though merely a stranger. 12. they took Lot... and from Egypt by its southern boundary is a continual his goods, and departed-How would the conscience of ascent. 2. very rich-compared with the pastoral that young man now upbraid him for his selfish folly tribes to which Abraham belonged. An Arab sheick and ingratitude in withdrawing from his kind and is considered rich who has a hundred or two hundred pious relative! Whenever we go out of the path of tents, from sixty to a hundred camels, a thousand duty, we put ourselves away from God's protection, sheep and goats respectively. And Abraham being and cannot expect that the choice we make will be very rich, must have far exceeded that amount of for our lasting good. 13. there came one that had escaped pastoral property. "Gold and silver" being rare-Abram might have excused himself from taking any among these people, his probably arose from the sale active concern in his "brother." .e., nephew, who of his produce in Egypt. 3. went on his journeys-his little deserved that he should incur trouble or danger progress would be by slow marches and frequent en- on his account. But Abram, far from rendering evil campments, as he had to regulate his movements by for evil, resolved to take immediate measures for the the prospect of water and pasturage. unto the place rescue of Lot. 14. And when Abram heard that his between Beth-el and Hai-"a conspicuous hill-its brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants topmost summit resting on the rocky slopes below, domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern and distinguished by its olive groves-offering a countries still, and are considered and treated as natural base for the altar and a fitting shade for the members of the family. If Abram could spare three tent of the patriarch." [STANLEY.] 4. there Abram hundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient called on the name of the Lord-he felt a strong desire number to take care of the flocks, what a large estato re-animate his faith and piety on the scene of his blishment he must have had. 15, 16. he divided himself former worship: it might be to express humility and penitence for his misconduct in Egypt, or thankfulness for deliverance from perils-to embrace the first opportunity on returning to Canaan of leading his family to renew allegiance to God, and offer the typical sacrifices which pointed to the blessings of the promise. 7. And there was a strife-Abraham's character appears here in a most amiable light. Having a strong sense of religion, he was afraid of doing anything that might tend to injure its character or bring discredit on its name, and he rightly judged that such unhappy effects would be produced if two persons whom nature and grace had so closely connected should come to a rupture. Waiving his right to dictate, he gave the freedom of choice to Lot. The conduct of Abraham was not only disinterested and peaceable, but generous and condescending in an extraordinary degree, exemplifying the Scripture precepts, Matthew, 6, 32; Romans, 12. 10, 11; Philippians, 24. 10. Lot lifted up his eyes-Travellers describe that from the top of this hill, a little "to the east of Bethel," they can see the Jordan, the broad meadows on either bank, and the waving line of verdure which marks the course of the stream. 11. Then Lot chose him all the plain-a choice excellent in a worldly point by night-This war between the petty princes of ancient Canaan is exactly the same as the frays and skirmishes between Arab chiefs in the present day. When a defeated party resolve to pursue the enemy, they wait till they are fast asleep-then, as they have no idea of posting sentinels, they rush upon them from different directions, strike down the tent poles -if there is any fight at all, it is the fray of a tumultuous mob-a panic commonly ensues, and the whole contest is ended with little or no loss on either side. 18. Melchizedek-This victory conferred a public benefit on that part of the country; and Abram, on his return, was treated with high respect and consideration, particularly by the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, who seems to have been one of the few native princes, if not the only one, who knew and worshipped "the Most High God," whom Abram served. This king, who was a type of the Saviour (Hebrews, 7. 1,, came to bless God for the victory which had been won, and in the name of God to bless Abram, by whose arms it had been achieved-a pious acknowledgment which we should imitate on succeeding in any lawful enterprise. 20. he gave him tithes of all-Here is an evidence of Abram's piety, as well as of his valour; for it was to a priest or official Divine Encouragement. GENESIS, XV, XVI, XVII. Destowment of Hagar. mediator between God and him, that Abram gave a | purchased before her marriage or given as a special tenth of the spoil-a token of his gratitude and in honour of a Divine ordinance (Proverbs, 3. 9.). 21. the king of Sodom said... Give me the persons-According to the war customs still existing among the Arab tribes, Abram might have retained the recovered goods-and his right was acknowledged by the king of Sodom. But with honest pride, and a generosity unknown in that part of the world, he replied with strong phraseology common to the East, "I have lifted up mine hand (i.e., I have sworn unto the Lord, that I will not take from a thread even to a sandal-thong -that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made Abram rich," CHAPTER XV. present to herself-no one can become the husband's secondary wife without her mistress' consent or permission. This usage seems to have prevailed in patriarchal times; and Hagar, the slave of Sarai, of whom she had the entire right of disposing, was given by her mistress' spontaneous offer, to be the secondary wife of Abram, in the hope of obtaining the longlooked for heir. It was a wrong step-indicating a want or simple reliance on God-and Sarai was the first to reap the bitter fruits of her device. 5. And Sarai said... My wrong be upon thee-Bursts of temper, or blows, as the original may bear, took place, till at length Hagar, perceiving the hopelessness of maining the unequal strife, resolved to escape from what had become to her in reality, as well as in name, a house of bondage. 7. And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain-This well, pointed out by tradition. lay on the side of the caravan road, in the midst of Shur, a sandy desert on the west of Arabia Petræa, to the extent of 150 miles, between Palestine and Egypt. By taking that direction, she seems to have intended to return to her relatives in that country. Nothing but pride, passion, and sullen obstinacy, could have driven any solitary person to brave the dangers of such an inhospitable wild; and she must have died, had not the timely appearance and words of the angel recalled her to reflection and duty. 11. Ishmael-Like other Hebrew names, this had a signification, and it is made up of two words-"God hears." The reason is explained. 12. he will be a wild man-lit., a wild ass man, expressing how the wildness of ishmael and his descendants resembles that of the wild ass. his hand will be against every man-descriptive of the rude, turbulent, and plundering character of the Arabs. dwell in the presence of all his brethren-dwell, i.c., pitch tents; and the meaning is that they maintain their independence in spite of all attempts to extirpate or subdue them. 13. called the name-common in ancient times to name places from circumstances; and the name given to this well was a grateful recognition of God's gracious appearance in the hour of her distress. CHAPTER XVII. Ver. 1-21. DIVINE ENCOURAGEMENT. 1. After these things-the conquest of the invading kings. the word of the Lord-a phrase used, when connected with a vision, to denote a prophetic message. Fear not, Abram-When the excitement of the enterprise was over he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revenge that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favoured with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him, and all God's people who have the same promise, to dismiss their fears, and cast their burdens on the Lord Psalm 27. 3.). 2 Lord God, what wilt thou give?-To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward," had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he was still experiencing the sickness of hope deferred. Eliezer of Damascus... one born in my house is mine heir -According to the usage of Nomadic tribes, his chief confidential servant would be heir to his possessions and honours. But this man could have become his son only by adoption; and how sadly would that have come short of the parental hopes he had been encouraged to entertain! His language betrayed a latent spirit of fretfulness, or perhaps a temporary failure in the very virtue for which he is so renowned --an absolute submission to God's time as well as way of accomplishing His promise. 4. This shall not be thine heir-To the first part of his address no reply Ver. 1-27. RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT. 1. Abram was given; but having renewed it in a spirit of more... ninety years old and nine-Thirteen years after the becoming submission, "whereby shall I know that I birth of Ishmael. During that interval he had enshall inherit it," he was delighted by a most explicit joyed the comforts of communion with God, but had promise of Canaan, which was immediately confirmed been favoured with no special revelation as formerly, by a remarkable ceremony. 9-12. Take me an heifer, probably on account of his hasty and blameable &c.-On occasions of great importance, when two or marriage with Hagar. the Lord appeared-some visible more parties join in a compact, they either observe manifestation of the Divine presence, probably the precisely the same rites as Abram did, or, where they shechinah or radiant glory of overpowering effulgence. do not, they invoke the lamp as their witness. Accord- I am the Almighty God-the name by which He made ing to these ideas, which have been from time im- himself known to the patriarchs Exodus, 6. 3,), dememorial engraven on the minds of Eastern people, signed to convey the sense of "all-sufficient" (Isalm the Lord himself condescended to enter into covenant 16. 3, 6; 73. 25). walk... and be... perfect-upright, with Abram. The patriarch did not pass between the sincere Psalm 51. 6) in heart, speech, and behaviour. sacrifice, and the reason was that in this transaction 3. Abram fell on his face-the attitude of profoundest he was bound to nothing. He asked a sign, and God reverence assumed by Eastern people. It consists in was pleased to give him a sign, by which, according the prostrate body resting on the hands and knees, to Eastern ideas, he bound himself. In like manner with the face bent till the forehead touches the God has entered into covenant with us; and in the ground. It is an expression of conscious humility glory of the Only Begotten Son, who passed through and profound reverence. 4. my covenant is with thee between God and us, all who believe have, like Abram, -renewed mention is made of it as the foundation of a sign or pledge in the gift of the Spirit, whereby the communication that follows. It is the covenant they may know that they shall inherit the heavenly of grace made with all who believe in the Saviour. 5. Canaan. but thy name shall be Abraham-In Eastern countries a change of name is an advertisement of some new circumstance in the history, rank, or religion of the individual who bears it. The change is made variously, by the old name being entirely dropped for the new, or by conjoining the new with the old, or sometimes only a few letters are inserted, so that the altered form may express the difference in the owner's state or prospects. It is surprising how soon a new CHAPTER XVI. Ver. 1-16. BESTOWMENT OF HAGAR. 1. Now Sarai ... had a handmaid-a female slave-one of those obtained in Egypt. 3. Sarai... gave her to... Abram to be his wife-wife is here used to describe an inferior, though not degrading relation, in countries where polygamy prevails. In the case of these female slaves, which are the personal property of his lady, being |