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. CHAP. XVI. Hagar is the person mostly concerned in the story of this chapter, an Egyptian woman, probably one of those maish-ferments, which the king of Egypt, among other gifts, beforesed upon Abram, chap. xii. 16. Concerning her we have four things in this chapter: 1. Her marriage to Abram her master, ver. 1, 2, 3. 2. Her misbehaviour towards Sarai her mistress, ver. 4, 5, 6. 3. Her dislouress with an angel that met her in her flight, ver. 7—14. 4. Her delivery of a son, ver. 15, 16. 1911. Chap. xii. † God. 1. 4. Chap. xiii. 9. Chap. xiv. 5. 6. † Heb. Be behind by her. 1. NOW Sarai, Abram's wife, bare him no children: and she had an hand-maid, "an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath refrained me from bearing: I pray thee go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her: and Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. v. 1, 2, 3. We have here, at Sarai's instigation, the marriage of Abram with Hagar, his Egyptian servant; one of those blots which stand in his fair escantown. 1. The author of it: his wife; and the cause of her desire is her own barrenness. After ten years more waiting, she was solicitous to have children by any means, and never feared in a servant to find a rival. Note, 1. The most dangerous temptations come from those who are most dear to us. We dare not deny them. 2. God's gifts are widely distributed. All have much to be thankful for; but there is always some allay to keep us from seeking our rest in the creature. 3. How many a rich man would give half his elbow for an heir; when the peasant, who lives in a cottage, has children like olive-branches about his table. 4. Inordinate desire after creature-comforts puts us on indirect means of obtaining them. 5. The comfort we seek in such ways generally comes embittered with gall. 2. Abram's compliance with his wife's request. Insecurable, no doubt: a bad example, and has an unhappy issue. Perhaps a solicitude to obtain the promise, might make him think it not unlawful: so age are we to weep our confidence to our wishes. Note, 1. Four temptations may have fair pretenses. 2. When we leave faith, and consult with flesh, we are sure to go out of the way. 4. ¶ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong &upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her + as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai ‡ dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. † Heb. What is poetic thine eyes. † Heb. Afficated her. v. 4, 5, 6. We have just the effects which might be expected from such a sinful step. 1. Hagar's insolence. No sooner with child, than she forgets her station, and begins, in conceit of the promised seed, to usurp over the mistress of the family. Note, 1. It is just in God to make those instruments of our trouble, whom we have made instruments of our sin. 2. It is the nature of a servile spirit, to be haughty and insolent on any promotion. 3. The scorn of barrenness is among the bitterest taunts. 2. Sarai's ill humour. As jealous of her husband, as angry with her maid. Though Abram was quite blameless, respecting Hagar's pride, she lays the blame at his sleep, and then profanely, in a passion, appeals to God for judgment, when she now had only the stage the might well have expected. Note, 1. A person who is angry with himself, generally gives vent to it by abusing the innocent. 2. Nothing commoner, than to quarrel with others for doing what we desired, when the issue happens to fall out other than we designed. 3. They who take God's name in their mouth in anger, are almost sure to take it in vain. 4. A person in a passion is always in the wrong, whatever cause may be given him for it. 3. Abram's peaceable answer. Though his wife, he remits her to her mistress Sarai, to know her station, and learn obedience. Note, 1. Nothing like a peaceable answer to turn away wrath. 2. Better yield sometimes to an unreasonable request of a wife, than by an unfeasurable opposition give ground for debate. 3. Nothing so fit for a proud heart, as to be degraded, and made to know their place. 4. Sarai's severity to Hagar. When pride and jealousy unite with power, woe to the poor sufferer. 5. Hagar's flight. It was her duty to submit, as it was Sarai's to have treated her mildly; but Impeach the pure, crudely to guany matter: both wrong, and therefore both perverse. Note, 1. They who suffer for their faults, have a double obligation to take it patiently. 2. To fly from our cross is usually not only the way to sin, but suffering. 7. ¶ And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence came thro? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. v. 7, 8, 9. We have Hagar's flight, and return at the command of an angel. 1. The place where she was. The wilderness. Sin is this wilderness we are sure to get into, the moment we leave the path of duty. She was going homeward, the way to Shur, but God † Chap. xiv. † Exod. xv. 12. This chapter contains a new appearance of God to Abram, and a more enlarged as well of the common mode with him. 1. Its general hope, ver. 1. 2. The particulars of it, 1. That he should be the father of many nations, ver. 4, 6. and in token of that, his name was changed, ver. 5. 2. That God would be a God in him and his seed, and would give them the land of Canaan, ver. 7, 8. And the end of this part of the common was circumcision, ver. 9—14. 3. That he should have a son by Sarai, and in token of that her name was changed, ver. 15, 16. This promise Abram received, ver. 17. And his respect for Ishmael (ver. 18.) was answered abundantly to his satisfaction, ver. 19—22. 4. The circumcision of Abram and his family, according to God's appointment, ver. 23. ad finem. 1. AND when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, 'I am the Almighty God; I walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, v. 1, 2, 3. We have here a repeated manifestation of God's presence to the holy patriarch, for his comfort and support under the long exercise of his faith and patience. Observe, 1. The time, when he was ninety-nine, thirteen years after Ishmael's birth. A long while, for one who had enjoyed more frequent visits; and longer still, when we consider how hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Note, 1. An aged faint of God must expect to live more by faith, and less by sensible experiences. 2. When we have cause to fear, that by sin we have caused God to withdraw his presence, it is a sore affliction. 3. The comfort we would unbelievably anticipate, for our punishment are often delayed. 2. The humble posture he appeared in before God. On his face. Note, 1. The nearer we come to God, the more shall we feel our sunshine and vileness before him. The spots that were unnoticed in the twilight are very visible in the noon day. 2. Reverence and holy awe should be upon our heart and countenance, when we are speaking before God. 3. When we are found before God in worship, God will be found near us in bleffing. 3. The promise and command given to Abram. (1.) The promise, I am God Almighty, I will multiply thee, &c. He who promises, is able also to perform; for he is almighty in himself, and all-sufficient for us. Note, They who have God as their covenant God, have enough, nor need with for more. (2.) His command. Walk before me, and be thou perfect. Learn, 1. He who offers himself to be our God, hath a right to expect that we should be his people. 2. God can ask for no less than our whole hearts, and we can offer him no less in desire; though through the weakness of our fallen nature, he knows, and we feel, that we cannot always stand upright. 3. The soul that lives a life of faith, is possessed of the uttermost perfection God commands, for he is compleat in Christ. 4. If we have the simplicity which is in Christ, we have all the internal perfection which any scripture faint upon earth enjoyed. 4. As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram; but thy name shall be Abraham, for a father of many nations; have I made thee. 6. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee; and kings shall come out of thee. 7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land; wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou and thy seed after thee, in their generations. 1. By God's order Abram's name is changed into Abraham, correspondent to the promise, I will make thee a father of many nations. A new name is a new honour; but it is better still; it is a confirmation of his faith. What God calls him, he is. Though the children are unborn, faith gives substantiation to the things hoped for. More people probably this day are descended from him; and more kings have reigned, and the still reign, of his potterity in Isaac, Ishmael, and the sons of Kenturah, than from any man who lived in his or any succeeding time. 1897. 1 Chap. cont. 3. 2 Chap. v. 2a &chid. 2b. 1 Kagan 2c &2d. 2e. 2 Chap. cont. 10. 2 Chap. vii. 2. &col. 18. 3 Chap. vii. 2. &col. 17. 4 Heb. Of thy figureing. 5 Chap. cont. 5. Before Christ time. But in a more exalted and extensive sense, as the father of the faithful, his soul are yet more numberless, and every one a king. 2. God's covenant with him. Full of promises, great and precious; a numberless progeny, a fruitful land, a kingly throne, and everlasting possession of it: pure to be fulfilled on earth, the better part in heaven, where Jesus is set down upon the throne for ever and ever. Note, 1. God's covenant is as sure as his faithfulness and power can make it. 2. The great blessing of the covenant of grace is, that all God is and hath are made over to us; wisdom to guide, grace to pardon, power to support, goodness to comfort: all things, in short, are ours, if God is ours. 3. The crowning mercy is, it is as eternal in its continuance, as it was in its contrivance. 10. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me, and you, and thy seed after thee; Every man-child among you shall be circumcised. 11. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your fore-skin, and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12. And the that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man-child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of my stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14. And the uncircumcised man-child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people: he hath broken my covenant. 9. 10-14. The covenant being given, the seal of it is prescribed, circumcision. A bloody rise, to signify the necessity of shedding blood for the remission of sin; which all, from the infant to the aged, must submit to; for more can enter the kingdom of heaven, but through the blood of the covenant; intimating also the necessity of putting off the sins of the flesh, and of that inward circumcision, without which the other is a solid nothing; for he was not a Jew, who was not outwardly; and armed with the threatening of utter excision on non-compliance, because neglect of the sign implied rejection of the covenant. Note, 1. They who would have God for their God, must contemplate themselves to him under the instituted seals of the covenant. 2. Neglecters of God's sacraments are excluded from God's promises, and liable to God's judgments. 15. ¶ And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai, thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and the shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 17. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear it. 18. And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! 19. And God said, 'Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 20. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly: twelve princes shall be beget, and I will make him a great nation. 21. But my covenant will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. 22. And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 9. 15-22. God now more explicitly reveals his designs to Abraham. 1. A son is promised, not of the bondwoman, but of the free. Sarai shall share with Abraham in the blessing; he shall be mother of kings and nations. Note, 1. Husband and wife must count their mercies one. 2. A son from the Lord is a blessing we cannot be enough thankful for. 2. Sarai's name changed. A new name, to intimate the new honour he intended to confer on her. She is a youngly indeed, as Sarah signifies, from whom he springs, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords. 3. Abraham's joy on the news. Wonder and delight, joined with deep humility, lay him on his face in adoration, whilst his heart descends for joy. Note, 1. Faith in God's promise fills the heart with joy in believing. 2. The only substantial bliss is that which God communicates: of all other laughter we may lay it in mind; and of mirth, what doth it? 3. The exultation of the soul in God is ever accompanied with equal humiliation. Vora. I. The higher we rise in divine consolations, the lower we lie in the above Christ abatement, whilst false joy hereds pride and security. 4. His prayer for Ishmael. Though Isaac be preferred, Ishmael is not neglected. Learn, 1. Though one child have the better portion, all demand our prayers and care. 2. The greatest blessing we can ask of God for our children, is his grace to direct their ways alight before his fate. 5. God's gracious regard to him. Though Isaac hath the covenant, Ishmael shall not want a blessing. Note, 1. God gives us more than we are wont to deface. He asked one blessing, God promises two. 2. The sons of God, like Isaac, are sons of laughter: to walk seasonfully in one the character of the children of the promise. 3. The preference of Isaac is of God's sovereignty, that the election of grace may stand. 6. When Abraham is fully finished, God withdraws, and leaves him for a while to meditate upon these wonders of mercy. Note, God's feeble pretence cannot be expelled always here: we are called now to live by faith; in heaven it will be unclouded fight, uninterrupted fruition. 23. ¶ And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin, in the self-same day, as God had said unto him. 24. And Abraham was ninety years old and nine when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26. In the self-same day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27. And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. 9. 23-27. Abraham no sooner is commanded, but he obeys without delay. God's commands are law and reason to him; and cheerfully he receives the seal, as gratefully he had accepted the promise. Note, 1. The positive institution of God admits no reasoning: it is enough he rejoins in the sign, for us to use it. 2. True obedience never defers till to-morrow what can be done to-day; for who knows what a day may bring forth? 3. They who would guide others in the right way, must first show the example. 4. As it is known only to God, who are really chosen, we in hope baptize infants as well as others: if they could be members of the covenant before Christ's coming, why not alter? 1. § Phil. xviii. 17. Chron. 1. Momb. xxii. 14. &xxix. 5. Momb. xxix. 17. Jer. xxi. 17. Exch. 4. 11. § Phil. 16. 7. &xxii. 8. &Momb. xx. 8. Jud. xvi. 17. Luke 1. 19. Iss. xlii. 4. Chap. 6. 7. Prov. xxii. 19. Deut. xxiii. 18. Jud. xix. 16. 11. Sam. 8. Deut. xxxi. 15. Judg. xviii. 7. Heb. An know feaser. Phil. xxi. 16d. 15a. xxv. 9. Deut. xxxi. 15. Christ. 14. Job. xx. 15. Deut. xxxi. 15. When Christ who wait for God's salvation, shall never be disappointed: they will by faith, enjoy it in time, and be put in full possession of it in eternity. 5. God was often, by his situation, exposed to the inroads of his neighbours, the Moabites and Ammonites, but in the reign of David, they were wholly subdued. Note, Let us not despair, though the troops of our corruptions sometimes overcome us, we shall be more than conquerors in the end. 6. After is a tribe of plenty; not only fulness of bread, but abundance of dainties. Note, Dainties are God's gifts, and therefore not to be refused: a king, or a great man, may as lawfully enjoy the delicacies of food, as the poor eat bread. 7. Naphtali's lot is rich in pasture, and the tempers of the people, sweet and affable. Note, There are a variety of natural dispositions, and these, like the several parts of the body, compute a more beautiful figure. Let every man improve his own gift, and neither envy nor despair those who differ from him. a Hich. Daughters. a Job. xxii. xx. f Wid. xxxii. g Wid. lxx. h Ills. xxviii. 11. i Chap. xxviii. 12. &xxx. 12. h Chap. xxii. 6. i Deut. xxiii. 17. m Deut. xxxii. 12. Hah. iii. 6. n Deut. xxxii. 12. n Judg. i. 8. p Numb. xviii. 64. Exch. xxiv. xx. 1, 7. a Chap. xx. 11. &xxx. 9. a Chap. xliii. 20. a Chap. 1. 13. a Chap. xxiii. 18. a Chap. xxii. 19. &xxx. a Chap. xxiv. 30. 22. ¶ Joseph is a fruitful bough; even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. 23. The archers have forely grieved him, and that at him, and hated him. 24. But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. 25. Even by the God of the father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the words. 26. The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors, unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. 27. ¶ Benjamin shall raven as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Joseph being the beloved child, comes in for a peculiar blessing. His sons are these branches of the spreading tree. Though some afflictions had been his law, severely treated by his brethren, and more severely tempted by his mistress; (what they darts so sharp!) yet firm he stood, unmoved, unflaken; not in it strange, when the everlasting arms are under him. Note, If Christ strengthen us, none shall pluck us out of his hands. Joseph is Jacob's shepherd, to feed him in the time of dearth, and the support of his sinking family, and his reward shall be accordingly. God, his father's God, shall make his seed victorious, the best of blessings shall defend upon him, and greater than those of his progenitors, in the immedium with increase of his potteries, and all those blessings should be enduring as the mountains. Thus, though separated from and hated of his brethren, a crown of excellence is bestowed upon him. Note, On the spiritual seed of Jesus, the hated of his brethren, shall be these blessings of heaven above. They shall be fed with breath of present consolation, and have their mansion on those mountains which are truly everlasting, separated from the world which lieth in wickedness, and blest with the transcendently glorious favour of Jacob's God. My soul, may this blessing be thine, and then every present trial will be light, every suffering joyous. 2. Benjamin shall be a warlike tribe; and eminently it was fulfilled in him. He ravened among his foes, and once among his friends, Jud. xx. 14. till they rose up as one man against him, almost to his utter extirpation. 28. ¶ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them. 29. And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers, in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 30. In the cave that is in the field of Machepah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite, for a possession of a burying-place. 31. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. 32. The purchase of the field, and of the cave that is therein, was from the children of Heth. 33. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghoft, and was gathered unto his people.