genesis 21:22 34 commentary

Vs.8-21 The expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. He felt You, our leader and master, have pulled the rug out from under us! Treaty with Abimelech (21:22-34) Abraham had settled in the south of Canaan in Abimelech's territory and at Abimelech's invitation (see 20:15). Do you call on the name of the Lord regardless of your circumstances. neit Now the LORD visited Sarah as he had said (Genesis 21:1), Neither didst thou toll me, neither yet heard I of it, but today. In Chapter s 20, 21 we have the question of the heir and of the path I dont have to give you my license and registration., Listen you ! Abraham at The league is proposed by Abimelech, and Phichol his prime-minister of state and general of his army. Genesis 21:34 Commentaries: And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. Genesis 21:22 Ruth 1:17, and vide Genesis 14:23). Thus, Beersheba can mean, well of oath, or well of seven. So, outside of the name, Beersheba, the word shava occurs three times and the word sheva occurs three times in this passage. The music and the sermon were okay, but didnt really help. *** Abimelech reenters the picture with his enforcer, Phicol. I like that, "as He had said, and as He had spoken." The grocer, who was not a believer, was unmoved by her need. Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE 15. Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the It seems to me that the answer is, It shows the faithfulness of God in the ordinary. Here we have accomplished promise the blessed 21:33 Abraham called on the name of the Lord, 21:34 Living in the land of the Philistines. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Because Abimelech wanted this covenant to apply, not only to himself, but to his posterity (21:23), it secured this source of water not only for Abraham, but for his descendants. 1 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 39:1). ISAAC IS BORN The shaft is formed of excellent masonry to a great depth until it reaches the rock, and at this juncture a spring trickles perpetually. This blessing would come through Abrahams descendant, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is one of the attributes of God to His people. How to respond to critics the way Jesus did. Good men should not only rectify the wrongs they do to one another, but adopt all wise precautions against their repetition. @#$%^&* salary!. And Abraham replies, These seven lambs are a witness that I dug the well that your servants seized. In gratitude for former favours he had received from him, in token of the friendship that subsisted between them, and for the confirmation of it; and to show that he was fully satisfied with Abimelech's answer to his complaint, as well as willing to enter into covenant by sacrifice, when such creatures were divided, and the covenanters passed between the pieces, for so it follows: and both of them made a covenant ; or, read more, And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. He was just living the ordinary, hum-drum, day-to-day existence of a nomad with his flocks and herds. What makes us happy? He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo More. EXPOSITION. God used the only Scripture this retarded young man knew to give eternal life to this sophisticated businessman (told by Martin & Deidre Bobgan, Competent to Minister [EastGate], pp. When we lived in California and would take our young children to the beach, there wasnt a second while they were playing in the waves that they were not under our watchful gaze. Genesis 21:22-34 In-Context. Abraham decided to take a different approach. I like this. army H6635 spoke H559 (H8799) Abraham H85 saying And so it was at that time that Abimelech, and Phicol the captain Yet in spite of Abrahams sins and insensitivity, Abimelech here seeks him out because he recognized God in Abrahams life! On Genesis, Part 6: The Blooming of Trees | Christogenea.org 4. This new cop couldnt believe it. _The Covenant with Abimelech_ (Genesis 21:22-34) Read Genesis 21:22-34 Ripped Off Abimelek the king of Gerar and his top general Phicol approach Abraham and say to him, We recognize that God is with you in everything you do. ; Psalms 34, tit.). I. Whereas the first conflict, Scene 5 ( Genesis 20:1-18 ), concerned jeopardy of the . CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, &C. Hence it is plain that Abraham had But we can have the comfort of knowing that both men were under Gods providential care. and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: On the flight that crashed was a godly pastor from Southern California. Genesis 21 Genesis 22 Genesis 23 Genesis 24 . So the treaty is solidified. laughed with the laughter of incredulity, now laughed with the _Abimelech, king of Gerara, who knew that Abraham was a prophet, and a the title not only of the king of Gerar, but of the kings of the And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST:_ Seemingly betraying a secret suspicion of the prince's veracity, the act aimed at preventing any recurrence of the grievance, and in this light it appears to have been regarded by Abimelech. Genesis 21:34 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org Here he is in this situation where he dug a well, a large investment in that area at that time. The one great miracle in his life was the birth of Isaac in his old age. He provided manna in the wilderness and brought water from a rock. "Abraham stretched forth his hand, ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH COVENANT Now Abraham and his descendants can dwell securely in the land. Abimelek continued, I have treated you well all this time that youve resided here in my kingdom as a foreigner. CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, &C. Hence it is plain that Abraham had Shortly after World War II, a woman went into a grocery store and asked for enough food to provide Christmas dinner for her children. Wheres the justice? You might be thinking. Gunkel has given strong "This scene occurs at the same time as the events of Scene 6 [ Genesis 21:1-21] but focuses on different characters and tensions. 3. Abimelech. The angel relieves and comforts her. The Atlantic, June 2009. Even as Gods kindness draws us to him, our kindness with others should point them to Him. - Genesis 21:22-23 Review After waiting years, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with their promised baby, Isaac. 45-46). Genesis 21:22-34 . CRITICAL NOTES. Because of the cops statement that I wont ask you again! this situation is destined to go sideways. Show to me and my country the same kindness Ive shown you. See also Genesis 21:22-34 in other biblical comments: Adam Clarke Bible Commentary. Hes lying! On Genesis, Part 6: The Blooming of Trees. Nor are they called upon to bear what by lawful means they are able to redress. Name signifies mouth of all, _i.e.,_ See also David living in the land of the Philistines (1 Sam. 1. surround, enclose, and _chum_ black. As Abraham is the father of all the faithful, so the at the time God Himself had 22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled So he changed his plans and flew home to L.A. Two days later, he heard on the news that a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles had crashed, killing everyone on board. In the immediately preceding verses, God has provided Isaac and dismissed Ishmael, so that Abraham would learn that Gods promises do not depend on human schemes and effort for their fulfillment. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. _ALUN OWEN_ Plus, if you add the three times shava is used and the three times sheva is used with the use of Beersheba that makes a total of seven times the words are used. But it is significant that Gods blessing on Abraham is evident even to this pagan king, Abimelech, who tells Abraham, God is with you in all that you do (21:22). 1. Most of us in our land of plenty dont have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH I already did that during the night while I was watching over my sick child, she replied. his mother took him a wife --On a father's death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however young; and as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his mother set about forming a marriage connection for him, it would seem, among her relatives. For these promises to be fulfilled, God had to provide Abraham with a son, which He did in an extraordinary way in the birth of Isaac. The tree sealed the site of the oath. reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH MAKE A COVENANT AT BEERSHEBA. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open read more, And it came to pass at that time ,. Not when Ishmael was grown up and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: that Abimelech, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host, spake unto Abraham ; Abimelech was king of Gerar, the same that is spoken of in the preceding chapter, and Phichol was the general of his army; these two great personages came together and paid Abraham a visit, and had some conversation with him, who was still in Gerar, or however in some part of read more, Now therefore swear unto me here by God ,. By the true and living God, by whom only an oath is to be taken, who was Abraham's God, and whom Abimelech seems to have known and to have been a worshipper of; and therefore moves for an oath to be taken by him, which he knew would be sacred and binding to Abraham, could he prevail upon him to swear: that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son ; perhaps he had heard that God had promised to give the whole read more, And Abraham said, I will swear. Here God shows Abraham that not only would the people of the land not take his wife, they wouldnt even take his well. (See previous post about Abraham and Abimelek). So its a huge deal for someone to take over a well as Abimeleks servants did. Specific examples of how Jesus communicated Gods love to others. Probably from JE. 6 Sarahs ioy. His file is sealed until 2040) have receivedregular medical exams, taken psychological tests, returned questionnaires, and sat for interviews for the last 72 years or until they died. His plane from Pennsylvania had been late, and a friend who had accompanied him to the Chicago airport said that he last saw him dashing through the terminal to make his flight home. army H6635 spoke H559 (H8799) Abraham H85 saying And so it was at that time that Abimelech, and Phicol the captain Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not de Genesis 21 He checked his uniform, it looked good. THE PROMISE FULFILLED IN ISAAC V2 So Sarah became *pregnant. He did what he Abraham denies his relationship Without even reading it, he put it on one side of his old-fashioned scale. A believer is invincible until it is his time to go. Youve never said anything to me about this before and I dont know who might have done it. THAT ABIMELECH, AND PHICHOL, THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST, SPAKE And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief of his host, spoke to Abraham saying, God is with you in all that Ver. 15 Hagar in distresse. This visit of the king and his vizier appears to have taken place some considerable time after the beginning of the sojourn of Abraham at Gerar; for the friendly feelings which then existed had evidently given way to a coolness, occasioned by the quarrels between their herdsmen. Read Genesis commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise). Now the grace of God bears its most important fruit in the history of and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken ( Genesis 21:1 ). Paul at Athens adapted himself in preaching to the people's knowledge while leading them to faith.R. All these things are true and wonderful. has The mistaken charge. Genesis Commentaries & Sermons | Precept Austin He was simply living his daily life as the friend of God before the watching world. If youre a Christian, and youre not a cop, then its not your job to come down on people. In that case Abraham went down to Egypt, whereas Isaac went only as far as Gerar, in the land of the Philistines, but the same place where we read of Abraham denying his relationship with Sarah. 6. One way Abimelech knew that Abraham walked with God is that Abraham had prayed that God would heal Abimelech and his family, and God answered that prayer (20:17-18). That was an extraordinary way that God provided for His children. Genesis 20:17 Genesis 26:28 College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh, Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith. _Isaac;_ that is, laughter or holy joy. CHAPTER 21 ISAAC AND ISHMAEL AND THE COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH a. and poetical word. of his host, spoke to Abraham saying, God is with you in all that neit EXPOSITION Throughout Abrahams story run two great promises which God made to Abraham: a son, through whom Abraham would become a great nation, and through whose descendants all the nations would be blessed; and, the land of Canaan, where his descendants would live. And it came to pass at that time,possibly in immediate sequence to the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common law of Hebrew narrative, probably not long after the birth of Isaac."(Murphy)that Abimelechthe king of Gerar (Genesis 20:2; Genesis 26:1, Genesis 26:16)and Phi-cholif the name be Shemitic, "mouth of all," i.e . Genesis 21:22-34 New International Version The Treaty at Beersheba 22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Perhaps Abimelech had heard of how God had given Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. Worldly policy may have urged Abimelech to cement a league with the powerful chieftain in his neighborhood, but religions affinity would also seem to have exercised an influence in drawing him to seek the friendship of one who appeared to enjoy celestial protection. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. 26), but through this treaty, God was faithfully providing for Abrahams basic physical needs. In spite of Abrahams past deception, Abimelech recognized God in his life. Genesis 21:22-34 - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Bible Peace commemorated. (1) that a person cannot always be held responsible for what his servants do, (2) that it is wrong to judge on insufficient evidence with reference to the characters and conduct of others, and. Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock,and Abimelek asked Abraham, What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?, He replied, Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.. Subscribe | RSS | Privacy Disclaimer. We are secure in His providential care. God is There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Sarah's joy. CHARACTERS: Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Hagar, Ishmael, Abimelech. If he would walk with God, so that it was evident to others, Abraham had nothing to fear. The deal is sealed. Abimelech, on the other hand, acts generously as of old, and shows no signs of ill-will at the growing power of one whose expectation was that his race would possess the whole land. And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. Ishmael's marriage, but most probably to the former. transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, or to the time of Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. How Jesus loved his betrayer Judas, even to the very end. Sarah as he had spoken." CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM, SAYING, GOD IS WITH THEE . The things of this world made a channel of higher blessings. The story of how Billy Graham extended Christs extraordinary love and grace toward a man who misrepresented Jesus to millions. As already Mature, Aner, and Eshcol had formed a league with the patriarch (vide Genesis 14:13). 21:22 Abimelech recognized the blessing of the Lord on Abraham. surround, enclose, and _chum_ black. Genesis 21:22-34 NIV - The Treaty at Beersheba - Bible Gateway It hadnt worked the two times they tried it. The blessing made manifest. BIRTH OF ISAAC. Isaac is born, and circumcised. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Genesis 21:22-34 - The Pulpit Commentaries I. Peace. 9 Hagar & Ishmael are cast forth. 9. at the time God Himself had We plainly see that God blesseth and prospereth thee in all thy If you know the Savior, as you walk with Him and enjoy His faithful provision, God wants to use the ordinary events in your life to fulfill His purpose of blessing all the nations through the Seed of Abraham, the Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt, the king remembered their previous encounter when Abraham dealt falsely with him. xx. shava) in this pericope (23, 24, 31, 31). How to survive a life of loving like Jesus (or how not to become a Christian doormat). Genesis 21:22-34 | Preaching Source In the story of Hagar and Ishmael, we notice: Ishmael mocking (Genesis 22:9) Genesis 21 Commentary Birth of Isaac (21:1-21) When Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as commanded. 17. Not long ago he was asked, What have you learned from the Grant Study men?, Vaillants response: That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people. (What makes us happy? Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. 21:32-34 A place to call on the name of the Lord. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in The birth of Isaac. undertakings. Of _Abimelech, _ see GENESIS 20:2. And the Lord visited Sarah, as he had said, and the Lord did unto 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Abimelek avoids contention within his ranks. He sent the plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea. 20 God was with the boy as he grew up. of faith in another point of view. V1 The *Lord had promised that he would visit Sarah. GENESIS 21:22 He sets apart seven lambs from the flock and gives them to Abimelek. 1886. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. . Genesis 21:22-34 Meaning and Commentary - Bible Study Tools His friendship is valued, is courted, though a stranger, though a tenant at will to the Canaanites and Perizzites. And Abimelech said, I wet not who hath done this thing. II. ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH GOD. Wheres the balance between taking measures for our own safety versus trusting God to protect us? Well it didnt turn out quite the way he expected. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves (designing by another covenant to secure himself against future invasion of Isis rights). the title not only of the king of Gerar, but of the kings of the 7. (2) that as Beersheba was situated on the confines of the Philistines' territory, Abraham must frequently have sojourned in their country while pasturing his flocks (Rosenmller). "Abraham stretched forth his hand, ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH COVENANT When we give thanks at the dinner table, we need to be truly thankful, and not just mumbling a ritual prayer before we say, Please pass the potatoes. God faithfully provides for our protection and for our provision. Category: Sermon StructureTags: Genesis, Genesis 21, Old Testament Narrative, Home | Admissions | Academics | Campus Life | Alumni, All content copyright 2023 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary He complains to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimeleks servants had seized. Abraham's name of God, Jehovah El Olam; the two revelations, the God of nature and the God of grace. Hes letting Abimeleks servants off the hook! You might be protesting. 27:7). ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS ALSO CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH What does Genesis chapter 21 mean? | BibleRef.com "Blessed are the peace-makers," and "beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that publisheth peace.". Wells of water are scarce and . And yet he was used in Gods great purpose of blessing the nations through Abrahams seed, the Lord Jesus Christ. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible - The Birth of Isaac 7. How to love unlovable people the way Jesus did. Peace enjoyed. He wasnt a TV evangelist. 14. could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest God also took care of Hagar and Ishmael, remembering His promise to greatly multiply their descendants (see Birth of Isaac ). b. A covenant between the patriarch and the Philistine king. In like manner Phichol, mouth of all, seems to have been the official designation of the prime minister, and commander-in-chief. Genesis 21:22-34 In-Context 20 God was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer . Another step in Abrahams walk with God is seen in verse 33, where he plants a tree and calls on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. Planting the tree was an act to remind Abraham of Gods faithfulness, especially in the everyday matter of providing the well which supplied the water for this tree to grow. CRITICAL NOTES. A Treaty with Abimelech. 17 The Angel comforteth her. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech As the usual covenant presents (cf. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. The man was educated and he articulately expressed his objections. I.e. Fort Worth, Texas. Abimelech declared himself perfectly unacquainted with the wrong which had been done to Abraham, and immediately returned the well, which discovers how easily misunderstandings might be removed if, instead of harboring enmity, men would resort to friendly conference. Verse Genesis 21:22. Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE He was, to put it gently, directed to find a way to verbally persuade subjects to cooperate. Lesson 44: Faithful God of the Ordinary (Genesis 21:22-34) CONTENTS: Birth of Isaac. And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me,that this peculiar kind of oath never occurs again in Old Testament history is no proof of the mythical character of the narrative (Bohlen); on the contrary, "that the custom existed in primitive Hebrew times is shown by the word , which had early passed into the language, and which would be inexplicable without the existence of such a custom" (Havernick)that I have digged this well. 22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. THE PROMISE FULFILLED IN ISAAC THAT ABIMELECH, AND PHICHOL, THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST, SPAKE And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief Numbers 14:13). Here we have accomplished promise the blessed CONCLUSION: Behind every promise of God is the purpose a Genesis 21:3. And as a result things turned ugly. He sarcastically said, Write your prayer on a piece of paper and you can have its weight in groceries. To his surprise, she pulled a folded note out of her pocket and handed it to him. You dont need a theological education to bear witness by your walk with God. Good men mostly desire to have the saints as friends, and even the wicked can perceive an advantage in being allied to the righteous. The oath a testimony to God where reverently made. B.C. Abraham. Though he was surrounded by pagans who had no scruples about murdering and plundering a wealthy mans belongings, Abraham could live securely because of Gods faithful protection, apart from any schemes on Abrahams part. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as That word sounds very much like the Hebrew word for seven (sheva) used in 21:28, 29, and 30. The question extends beyond how does God fit in with our ordinary schedules to, How does God fit in with ordinary people? After all, in the history of the church, not many of Gods people have been able to speak to packed stadiums around the world, like Billy Graham. I. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 20 AND 21. The outcast. Gen. 21:22-34 Locate the passage This passage chronicles a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. Which things are an. God's people, though expected meekly to suffer wrong, cannot always help seeing that it is wrong they suffer. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Genesis Chapter 21 Genesis 21:22. spokesman of all (Murphy), ruler of all (Gesenius); or "the distinguished" (Furst); believed to have been a titular designation of the Philistine monarch's grand vizier or prime minister (Lange, 'Speaker's Commentary'), who was alsothe chief captain of his host (i.e. ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS ALSO CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH had once laughed through unbelief; now being ashamed of that, she From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. He walked in daily communion with God. You know what Ive learned? Checking his ticket which he hadnt used, he realized that if his earlier flight to Chicago had not been cancelled, he would have been on that flight. So why, after he already gave Abimelek flocks of sheep and cattle, did Abraham give him seven lambs as a witness that Abraham dug the well? Genesis 21:22-34 Meaning and Commentary - Bible Study Tools We wont know Gods purpose until were in heaven. had promised to her. Newly released book by Kurt Bennett, now available onAmazon! There he planted a grove for a shade to his tent, or perhaps an orchard of fruit-trees; and there, though we cannot say he settled, for God would have him, while he lived, to be a stranger and a pilgrim, yet he sojourned many days, as many as would consist with his character, as Abraham the Hebrew, or passenger. _mlel_ speak, an ancient and therefore solemn that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. List one sac- not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arab Ishmael is the father of all our outcasts. Truthfully, I have nothing to offer but a little prayer.. _The birth of Isaac. Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the Abimelech could sense that in spite of Abrahams previous failure in the incident with Sarah, he was a man who walked with God. And both of them made a covenant. Abraham, the one who took his army of 318 men and rescued Lot from the armies of four kings, Abraham goes after the servants of Abimelek and takes them out, right? Give people youre in disagreement with a graceful way out. Then Abraham does something unexpected. And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: , saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. But what about Abraham? 2. The point is, as God faithfully provides protection and for our daily needs, and as we walk with Him and give Him the credit for His care for us, as Abraham did, He uses us in the ordinary matters of life to bear witness to a world that desperately needs to turn to Him. Sensible of the many favours he had received from Abimelech in times past, and was still indulged with, he very readily agreed to his proposal; and the rather, as he knew by the vision between the pieces, that it would be four hundred years before his posterity should be put into the possession of the land of Canaan; and therefore could take an oath that neither he, nor his son, nor his grandson, should be injured or dispossessed. View From My Seat Msg Section 212, Articles G