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.
   
   

15:1 After these things -

1. After that act of generous charity which Abram had done, inrescuing his neighbours, God made him this gracious visit.
2. After that victory which he had obtained over four kings; lestAbram should be too much elevated with that, God comes to tell him he had better things in store for him. The word of the Lord came unto Abram - That is, God manifested himself to Abram, in a vision - Which supposeth Abram awake, and some sensible token of the presence of the divine glory, saying, Fear not Abram - Abram might fear lest the four kings he had routed, should rally and fall upon him. No, saith God, fear not: fear not their revenge, nor thy neighbour's envy; I will take care of thee. I am thy shield - Or, emphatically, I am a shield to thee, present with thee, actually defending thee. The consideration of this, that God himself is, a shield to his people, to secure them from all destructive evils, a shield ready to them, and a shield round about them, should silence all perplexing fears. And thy exceeding great reward - Not only thy rewarder, but thy reward. God himself is the felicity of holy souls; He is the portion of their inheritance, and their cup.

15:3 Behold to me thou hast given no seed - Not only no son, but no seed. If he had had a daughter, from her the promised Messias might have come, who was to be the Seed of the Woman; but he had neither son nor daughter.

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, Heb 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.

21 In this chapter we have,

1. Isaac, the child of promise, born into Abraham's family, Gen 21:1-8.
   
2. Ishmael, the son of the bond - woman, cast out of it, Gen 21:9-21.
   
3. Abraham's league with Abimelech, Gen 21:22-32.
   
4. His devotion to God, Gen 21:33-34.
   

21:2 Sarah conceived - Sarah by faith, received strength to conceive, Heb 11:11. God therefore, by promise, gave that strength.Abraham was old, and Sarah old, and both as good as dead, and then the word of God took place.

11 

11:8  Gen 12:1, Gen 12:4-5

2 

2:22 The days - The forty days prescribed, Lev 12:2, Lev 12:4.

2:23  Exo 13:2.

2:24 A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons - This offering sufficed for the poor. Lev 12:8.

2:25 The consolation of Israel - A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God.The Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.

2:27 By the Spirit - By a particular revelation or impulse from him.

2:30 Thy salvation - Thy Christ, thy Saviour.

2:32 And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.

2:33 Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken - For they did not thoroughly understand them.

2:34 Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest.

2:35 A sword shall pierce through thy own soul - So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.

2:37 Fourscore and four years - These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only. Who departed not from the temple - Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer. But served God with fastings and prayers - Even at that age. Night and day - That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, aswell as of the day.

2:38 To all that were waiting for redemption - The sceptre flow appeared to he departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoaryheads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer.Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.

2:40 And the child grew - In bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling Spirit, which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was upon him - That is, the peculiar favour of God rested upon him, even as man.