15 In this chapter we have a solemn treaty between God and Abram,

1. A general assurance of God's kindness and good - will to Abram, Gen 15:1.
   
2. A particular declaration of the purposes of his love concerning him, in two things.
   1. That he would give him a numerous issue, Gen 15:2-7.
      
   2. That he would give him Canaan for an inheritance, Gen 15:7-16.
   
   

15:5 And he brought him forth - It seems, early in the morning, and said, look now toward heaven, and tell the stars: so shall thy seed be -

1. So innumerable, for so the stars seem to a common eye. Abramfeared he should have no child at all, but God tells him his descendents should be so many as not to be numbered.
2. So illustrious, as the stars of heaven for splendour; for to thempertained the glory, Rom 9:4.Abram's seed according to the flesh were like the dust of the earth, Gen 13:16, but his spiritual seed are like the stars of heaven.

15:6 And he believed in the Lord - That is, believed the truth of that promise which God had now made him, resting upon the power, and faithfulness of him that made it: see how the apostle magnifies this faith of Abram, and makes it a standing example, Rom 4:19-21. He was not weak in faith; he staggered not at the promise: he was strong in faith; he was fully persuaded. The Lord work such a faith in every one of us. And he counted it to him for righteousness - That is, upon the score of this he was accepted of God, and, by faith he obtained witness that he was righteous, Hébr 11:4. This is urged in the New Testament to prove, that we are justified by faith without the works of the law, Rom 4:3, Gal 3:6, for Abram was so justified, while he was yet uncircumcised. If Abram, that was so rich in good works, was not justified by them, but by his faith, much less can we. This faith, which was imputed to Abram for righteousness, had newly struggled with unbelief, Gen 15:2, and coming off, conqueror, it was thus crowned, thus honoured.

15:7 I am the lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees - Out of the fire of the Chaldees, so some: that is, from their idolatries; for the Chaldeans worshipped the fire. Or, from their persecutions.The Jewish writers have a tradition, that Abram was cast into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship idols, and was miraculously delivered.It is rather a place of that name. Thence God brought him by an effectual call, brought him by a gracious violence; snatched him as a brand out of the burning. Observe how God speaks of it as that which he gloried in.I am the Lord that brought thee out - He glories in it as an act both of power and grace. To give thee this land to inherit it - Not only to possess it, but to possess it as an inheritance, which is the surest title.The providence of God hath secret, but gracious designs in all its various dispensations: we cannot conceive the projects of providence, 'till the event shews what it was driving at.

15:8 Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? - This did not proceed from distrust of God's power or promise, but he desired this,

1. For the strengthening of his own faith. He believed, Gen 15:6, buthere he prays, Lord help me against my unbelief, Now, he believed, but he desired a sign, to be treasured up against an hour of temptation.
2. For the ratifying of the promise to his posterity, that they also mightbelieve it.

15:9 Take me an heifer - Perhaps Abram expected some sign from heaven, but God gives him a sign upon a sacrifice. Those that would receive the assurances of God's favour, must attend instituted ordinances, and expect to meet with God in them. Observe,

1. God appointed that each of the beasts used for his service should bethree years old, because then they were at their full growth and strength.God must be served with the best we have.
2. We do not read that God gave Abram particular directions how tomanage these, knowing that he was well versed in the custom of sacrifices.
3. Abram took as God appointed him, though as yet he knew not howthese things should become a sign to him. He divided the beasts in the midst, according to the ceremony used in continuing covenants, Jér 34:18-19, where it is said, theycut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts.
4. Abram, having prepared according to God's appointment, set himself toexpect what sign God would give him by these.

15:12 And when the sun was going down - About the time of the evening oblation. Early in the morning, while the stars were yet to be seen, God had given him orders concerning the sacrifices, Gen 15:5, and we may suppose it was at least his morning's work to prepare them, and set them in order; which when he had done, he abode by them praying and waiting 'till towards evening. A deep sleep fell upon Abram - Not a common sleep through weariness or carelessness, but a divine extasy, that being wholly taken off from things sensible, he might be wholly taken up with the contemplation of things spiritual. The doors of the body were locked up, that the soul might be private and retired, and might act the more freely. And lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him - This was designed to strike an awe upon the spirit of Abram, and topossess him with a holy reverence. Holy fear prepares the soul for holy joy; God humbles first, and then lifts up.

3 

3:17 Mark them - For your imitation.

3:18 Weeping - As he wrote. Enemies of the cross of Christ - Such are all cowardly, all shamefaced, all delicate Christians.

3:19 Whose end is destruction - This is placed in the front, that what follows may be read with the greater horror. Whose god is their belly - Whose supreme happiness lies in gratifying their sensual appetites. Who mind - Relish, desire, seek, earthly things.

3:20 Our conversation - The Greek word is of a very extenslve meaning: our citizenship, our thoughts, our affections, are already in heaven.

3:21 Who will transform our vile body - Into the most perfect state, and the most beauteous form. It will then be purer than the unspotted firmament, brighter than the lustre of the stars and, which exceeds all parallel, which comprehends all perfection, like unto his glorious body - Like that wonderfully glorious body which he wears in his heavenly kingdom, and on his triumphant throne.

4 

4:1 So stand - As ye have done hitherto.

9 

9:28  Mt 17:1; Mc 9:2.

9:31 In glory - Like Christ with whom they talked.

9:32 They saw his glory - The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, Jn 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2Pi 1:16.

9:34 A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.