Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc06/v08300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 10KB | 187 lines

08307
 #13-16 Abram takes this opportunity to give a real proof of his
 being truly friendly to Lot. We ought to be ready to succour
 those in distress, especially relations and friends. And though
 others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must
 not neglect our duty to them. Abram rescued the captives. As we
 have opportunity, we must do good to all.

08311
 #17-20 Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to
 be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally
 thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, #Heb
 7:3|, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of
 his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to
 raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared.
 Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers
 of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as
 the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink
 indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He
 blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's
 mercies as for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is
 the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only
 offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of
 the spoils, #Heb 7:4|. When we have received some great mercy
 from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by
 some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great
 Melchizedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly
 acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all,
 but all we have, must be given up to him.

08315
 #21-24 Observe the king of Sodom's grateful offer to Abram, Give
 me the souls, and take thou the substance. Gratitude teaches us
 to recompense to the utmost of our power, those that have
 undergone fatigues, run hazards, and been at expense for our
 service and benefit. Abram generously refused this offer. He
 accompanies his refusal with a good reason, Lest thou shouldest
 say, I have made Abram rich: which would reflect upon the
 promise and covenant of God, as if He would not have
 enriched Abraham without the spoils of Sodom. The people of God
 must, for their credit's sake, take heed of doing any thing that
 looks mean or mercenary, or that savours of covetousness and
 self-seeking. Abraham can trust the Possessor of Heaven and
 earth to provide for him.
08319
 * God encourages Abram. (1) The Divine promise, Abraham is
 justified by faith. (2-6) God promises Canaan to Abraham for an
 inheritance. (7-11) The promise confirmed in a vision. (12-16)
 The promise confirmed by a sign. (17-21)

 #1 God assured Abram of safety and happiness; that he should for
 ever be safe. I am thy shield; or, I am a shield to thee,
 present with thee, actually caring for thee. The consideration
 that God himself is, and will be a shield to his people, to
 secure them from all evils, a shield ready to them, and a shield
 round about them, should silence all perplexing, tormenting
 fears.

08320
 #2-6 Though we must never complain of God, yet we have leave to
 complain to him; and to state all our grievances. It is ease to
 a burdened spirit, to open its case to a faithful and
 compassionate friend. Abram's complaint is, that he had no
 child; that he was never likely to have any; that the want of a
 son was so great a trouble to him, that it took away all his
 comfort. If we suppose that Abram looked no further than outward
 comfort, this complaint was to be blamed. But if we suppose that
 Abram herein had reference to the promised Seed, his desire was
 very commendable. Till we have evidence of our interest in
 Christ, we should not rest satisfied; what will all avail me, if
 I go Christless? If we continue instant in prayer, yet pray with
 humble submission to the Divine will, we shall not seek in vain.
 God gave Abram an express promise of a son. Christians may
 believe in God with respect to the common concerns of this life;
 but the faith by which they are justified, always has respect to
 the person and work of Christ. Abram believed in God as
 promising Christ; they believe in him as having raised him from
 the dead, #Ro 4:24|. Through faith in his blood they obtain
 forgiveness of sins.

08325
 #7-11 Assurance was given to Abram of the land of Canaan for an
 inheritance. God never promises more than he is able to perform,
 as men often do. Abram did as God commanded him. He divided the
 beasts in the midst, according to the ceremony used in
 confirming covenants, #Jer 34:18,19|. Having prepared according
 to God's appointment, he set himself to wait for the sign God
 might give him. A watch must be kept upon our spiritual
 sacrifices. When vain thoughts, like these fowls, come down upon
 our sacrifices, we must drive them away, and seek to attend on
 God without distraction.

08330
 #12-16 A deep sleep fell upon Abram; with this sleep a horror of
 great darkness fell upon him: a sudden change. The children of
 light do not always walk in the light. Several things were then
 foretold. 1. The suffering state of Abram's seed for a long
 time. They shall be strangers. The heirs of heaven are strangers
 on earth. They shall be servants; but Canaanites serve under a
 curse, the Hebrews under a blessing. They shall be suffers.
 Those that are blessed and beloved of God, are often sorely
 afflicted by wicked men. 2. The judgment of the enemies of
 Abram's seed. Though God may allow persecutors and oppressors to
 trample upon his people a great while, he will certainly reckon
 with them at last. 3. That great event, the deliverance of
 Abram's seed out of Egypt, is here foretold. 4. Their happy
 settlement in Canaan. They shall come hither again. The measure
 of sin fills gradually. Some people's measure of sin fills
 slowly. The knowledge of future events would seldom add to our
 comfort. In the most favoured families, and most happy lives,
 there are so many afflictions, that it is merciful in God to
 conceal what will befall us and ours.

08335
 #17-21 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.
08340
 * Sarai gives Hagar to Abram. (1-3) Hagar's misbehaviour to
 Sarai. (4-6) The Angel commands Hagar to return, The promise to
 her, Birth of Ishmael. (7-16)

 #1-3 Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself,
 proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she
 might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was
 done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's
 almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source
 of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life
 there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of
 faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's
 time, and using only those means which he appoints for the
 removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair
 pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible.
 Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the
 case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer,
 before we attempt that which is doubtful.

08343
 #4-6 Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great
 deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief
 that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in
 this case. Passionate people often quarrel with others, for
 things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had
 given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon
 thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into
 our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud
 and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations
 commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she
 herself had first given the provocation, by despising her
 mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it
 patiently, #1Pe 2:20|.
08346
 #7-16 Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her
 duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is
 a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by
 conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that
 thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest
 with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family,
 which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither
 wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to
 Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the
 wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we
 are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came,
 would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall
 go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their
 space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever
 it be. The declaration of the Angel, "I will," shows this Angel
 was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire
 the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been
 favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to
 a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai,
 and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always
 suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!