mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 12.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xiii" n="xiii" next="Gen.xiv" prev="Gen.xii" progress="10.23%" title="Chapter XII">
<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_83" n="83"/>
<h2 id="Gen.xiii-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xiii-p0.2">CHAP. XII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xiii-p1">The pedigree and family of Abram we had an account
of in the foregoing chapter; here the Holy Ghost enters upon his
story, and henceforward Abram and his seed are almost the only
subject of the sacred history. In this chapter we have, I. God's
call of Abram to the land of Canaan, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.1-Gen.12.3" parsed="|Gen|12|1|12|3" passage="Ge 12:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. Abram's obedience to this
call, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.4-Gen.12.5" parsed="|Gen|12|4|12|5" passage="Ge 12:4,5">ver. 4, 5</scripRef>. III. His
welcome to the land of Canaan, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.6-Gen.12.9" parsed="|Gen|12|6|12|9" passage="Ge 12:6-9">ver.
6-9</scripRef>. IV. His journey to Egypt, with an account of what
happened to him there. Abram's flight and fault, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.10-Gen.12.13" parsed="|Gen|12|10|12|13" passage="Ge 12:10-13">ver. 10-13</scripRef>. Sarai's danger and
deliverance, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.14-Gen.12.20" parsed="|Gen|12|14|12|20" passage="Ge 12:14-20">ver.
14-20</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12" parsed="|Gen|12|0|0|0" passage="Ge 12" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.1-Gen.12.3" parsed="|Gen|12|1|12|3" passage="Ge 12:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.12.1-Gen.12.3">
<h4 id="Gen.xiii-p1.8">The Call of Abram. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1921.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiii-p2">1 Now the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p2.1">Lord</span>
had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show
thee:   2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will
bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p3">We have here the call by which Abram was
removed out of the land of his nativity into the land of promise,
which was designed both to try his faith and obedience and also to
separate him and set him apart for God, and for special services
and favours which were further designed. The circumstances of this
call we may be somewhat helped to the knowledge of from Stephen's
speech, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.2" parsed="|Acts|7|2|0|0" passage="Ac 7:2">Acts vii. 2</scripRef>, where we
are told, 1. That the God of glory appeared to him to give him this
call, appeared in such displays of his glory as left Abram no room
to doubt the divine authority of this call. God spoke to him
afterwards in divers manners; but this first time, when the
correspondence was to be settled, he appeared to him as <i>the God
of glory,</i> and spoke to him. 2. That this call was given him in
Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran; therefore we rightly read
it, <i>The Lord</i> had <i>said unto Abram,</i> namely, in Ur of
the Chaldees; and, in obedience to this call, as Stephen further
relates the story (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.4" parsed="|Acts|7|4|0|0" passage="Ac 7:4">Acts vii.
4</scripRef>), <i>he came out of the land of the Chaldeans, and
dwelt in Charran, or Haran, about five years, and thence, when his
father was dead,</i> by a fresh command, pursuant to the former,
God removed him into the land of Canaan. Some think that Haran was
in Chaldea, and so was still a part of Abram's country, or that
Abram, having staid there five years, began to call it his country,
and to take root there, till God let him know this was not the
place he was intended for. Note, If God loves us, and has mercy in
store for us, he will not suffer us to take up our rest any where
short of Canaan, but will graciously repeat his calls, till the
good work begun be performed, and our souls repose in

<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_84" n="84"/>

God only. In the call itself we have a precept and a
promise.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p4">I. A trying precept: <i>Get thee out of thy
country,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.1" parsed="|Gen|12|1|0|0" passage="Ge 12:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.
Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p5">1. By this precept he was tried whether he
loved his native soil and dearest friends, and whether he could
willingly leave all, to go along with God. His country had become
idolatrous, his kindred and his father's house were a constant
temptation to him, and he could not continue with them without
danger of being infected by them; therefore <i>Get thee out,</i>
<b><i>lk-lk</i></b>—<i>Vade tibi, Get thee gone,</i> with all
speed, <i>escape for thy life, look not behind thee,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.19.17" parsed="|Gen|19|17|0|0" passage="Ge 19:17"><i>ch.</i> xix. 17</scripRef>. Note, Those that
are in a sinful state are concerned to make all possible haste out
of it. <i>Get out for thyself</i> (so some read it), that is, for
thy own good. Note, Those who leave their sins, and turn to God,
will themselves be unspeakable gainers by the change, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.9.12" parsed="|Prov|9|12|0|0" passage="Pr 9:12">Prov. ix. 12</scripRef>. This command which God
gave to Abram is much the same with the gospel call by which all
the spiritual seed of faithful Abram are brought into covenant with
God. For, (1.) Natural affection must give way to divine grace. Our
country is dear to us, our kindred dearer, and our father's house
dearest of all; and yet they must all be hated (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.26" parsed="|Luke|14|26|0|0" passage="Lu 14:26">Luke xiv. 26</scripRef>), that is, we must love them
less than Christ, hate them in comparison with him, and, whenever
any of these come in competition with him, they must be postponed,
and the preference given to the will and honour of the Lord Jesus.
(2.) Sin, and all the occasions of it, must be forsaken, and
particularly bad company; we must abandon all the idols of iniquity
which have been set up in our hearts, and get out of the way of
temptation, plucking out even a right eye that leads us to sin
(<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.29" parsed="|Matt|5|29|0|0" passage="Mt 5:29">Matt. v. 29</scripRef>), willingly
parting with that which is dearest to us, when we cannot keep it
without hazard of our integrity. Those that resolve to keep the
commandments of God must quit the society of evil doers, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.115 Bible:Acts.2.40" parsed="|Ps|119|115|0|0;|Acts|2|40|0|0" passage="Ps 119:115,Ac 2:40">Ps. cxix. 115; Acts ii. 40</scripRef>.
(3.) The world, and all our enjoyments in it, must be looked upon
with a holy indifference and contempt; we must no longer look upon
it as our country, or home, but as our inn, and must accordingly
sit loose to it and live above it, get out of it in affection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p6">2. By this precept he was tried whether he
could trust God further than he saw him; for he must leave his own
country, to go to a <i>land that God would show him.</i> He does
not say, "It is a land that I will give thee," but merely, "a land
that I will show thee." Nor does he tell him what land it was, nor
what kind of land; but he must follow God with an implicit faith,
and take God's word for it, in the general, though he had no
particular securities given him that he should be no loser by
leaving his country, to follow God. Note, Those that will deal with
God must deal upon trust; we must quit the things that are seen for
things that are not seen, and submit to the sufferings of this
present time in hopes of a glory that is yet to be revealed
(<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.18" parsed="|Rom|8|18|0|0" passage="Ro 8:18">Rom. viii. 18</scripRef>); for <i>it
doth not yet appear what we shall be</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.2" parsed="|1John|3|2|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:2">1 John iii. 2</scripRef>), any more than it did to Abram,
when God called him to a land he would show him, so teaching him to
live in a continual dependence upon his direction, and with his eye
ever towards him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p7">II. Here is an encouraging promise, nay, it
is a complication of promises, many, and exceedingly great and
precious. Note, All God's precepts are attended with promises to
the obedient. When he makes himself known also as a rewarder: if we
obey the command, God will not fail to perform the promise. Here
are six promises:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p8">1. <i>I will make of thee a great
nation.</i> When God took him from his own people, he promised to
make him the head of another; he cut him off from being the branch
of a wild olive, to make him the root of a good olive. This promise
was, (1.) A great relief to Abram's burden; for he had now no
child. Note, God knows how to suit his favours to the wants and
necessities of his children. He that has a plaster for every sore
will provide one for that first which is most painful. (2.) A great
trial to Abram's faith; for his wife had been long barren, so that,
if he believe, it must be against hope, and his faith must build
purely upon that power which <i>can out of stones raise up children
unto Abraham,</i> and make them a great nation. Note, [1.] God
makes nations: by him they are <i>born at once</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.8" parsed="|Isa|66|8|0|0" passage="Isa 66:8">Isa. lxvi. 8</scripRef>), and he speaks, to
build and plant them, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.18.9" parsed="|Jer|18|9|0|0" passage="Jer 18:9">Jer. xviii.
9</scripRef>. And, [2.] If a nation be made great in wealth and
power, it is God that makes it great. [3.] God can raise great
nations out of dry ground, and can make <i>a little one to be a
thousand.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p9">2. <i>I will bless thee,</i> either
particularly with the blessing of fruitfulness and increase, as he
had blessed Adam and Noah, or, in general, "<i>I will bless
thee</i> with all manner of blessings, both of the upper and the
nether springs. Leave thy father's house, and I will give thee a
father's blessing, better than that of they progenitors." Note,
Obedient believers will be sure to inherit the blessing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p10">3. <i>I will make thy name great.</i> By
deserting his country, he lost his name there. "Care not for that,"
says God, "but trust me, and I will make thee a greater name than
ever thou couldst have had there." Having no child, he feared he
should have no name; but God will make him a great nation, and so
make him a great name. Note, (1.) God is the fountain of honour,
and from him promotion comes, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.8" parsed="|1Sam|2|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:8">1 Sam.
ii. 8</scripRef>. (2.) The name of obedient believers shall
certainly be celebrated and made great. The best report is that
which the elders obtained by faith, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.2" parsed="|Heb|11|2|0|0" passage="Heb 11:2">Heb. xi. 2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p11">4. <i>Thou shalt be a blessing;</i> that
is, (1.) "Thy happiness shall be a sample of happiness, so that
those who would bless their

<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_85" n="85"/>

friends shall
only pray that God would make them like Abram;" as <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.4.11" parsed="|Ruth|4|11|0|0" passage="Ru 4:11">Ruth iv. 11</scripRef>. Note, God's dealings with
obedient believers are so kind and gracious that we need not desire
for ourselves or our friends to be any better dealt with: to have
God for our friend is blessedness enough. (2.) "Thy life shall be a
blessing to the places where thou shalt sojourn." Note, Good men
are the blessings of their country, and it is their unspeakable
honour and happiness to be made so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p12">5. <i>I will bless those that bless thee
and curse him that curseth thee.</i> This made it a kind of a
league, offensive and defensive, between God and Abram. Abram
heartily espoused God's cause, and here God promises to interest
himself in his. (1.) He promises to be a friend to his friends, to
take kindnesses shown to him as done to himself, and to recompense
them accordingly. God will take care that none be losers, in the
long run, by any service done for his people; even a cup of cold
water shall be rewarded. (2.) He promises to appear against his
enemies. There were those that hated and cursed even Abram himself;
but, while their causeless curses could not hurt Abram, God's
righteous curse would certainly overtake and ruin them, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.24.9" parsed="|Num|24|9|0|0" passage="Nu 24:9">Num. xxiv. 9</scripRef>. This is a good reason
why we should bless those that curse us, because it is enough that
God <i>will curse them,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.38.13-Ps.38.15" parsed="|Ps|38|13|38|15" passage="Ps 38:13-15">Ps.
xxxviii. 13-15</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p13">6. <i>In thee shall all the families of the
earth be blessed.</i> This was the promise that crowned all the
rest; for it points at the Messiah, in whom <i>all the promises are
yea and amen.</i> Note, (1.) Jesus Christ is the great blessing of
the world, the greatest that ever the world was blessed with. He is
a family blessing, by him salvation is brought to the house
(<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.19.9" parsed="|Luke|19|9|0|0" passage="Lu 19:9">Luke xix. 9</scripRef>); when we
reckon up our family blessings, let us put Christ in the
<i>imprimis—the first place,</i> as the blessing of blessings. But
how are all the families of the earth blessed in Christ, when so
many are strangers to him? <i>Answer,</i> [1.] All that are blessed
are blessed in him, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.4.12" parsed="|Acts|4|12|0|0" passage="Ac 4:12">Acts iv.
12</scripRef>. [2.] All that believe, of what family soever they
shall be, shall be blessed in him. [3.] Some of all the families of
the earth are blessed in him. [4.] There are some blessings which
all the families of the earth are blessed with in Christ; for the
gospel salvation is a <i>common salvation,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.3" parsed="|Jude|1|3|0|0" passage="Jude 1:3">Jude 3</scripRef>. (2.) It is a great honour to be
related to Christ; this made Abram's name great, that the Messiah
was to descend from his loins, much more than that he should be the
father of many nations. It was Abram's honour to be his father by
nature; it will be ours to be his brethren by grace, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.50" parsed="|Matt|12|50|0|0" passage="Mt 12:50">Matt. xii. 50</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.4-Gen.12.5" parsed="|Gen|12|4|12|5" passage="Ge 12:4-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.12.4-Gen.12.5">
<h4 id="Gen.xiii-p13.6">Arrival of Abram in Canaan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p13.7">b. c.</span> 1920.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiii-p14">4 So Abram departed, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p14.1">Lord</span> had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him:
and Abram <i>was</i> seventy and five years old when he departed
out of Haran.   5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his
brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and
the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go
into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p15">Here is, I. Abraham's removal out of his
country, out of Ur first and afterwards out of Haran, in compliance
with the call of God: <i>So Abram departed;</i> he was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision, but did as he was bidden, not
conferring with flesh and blood, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gal.1.15-Gal.1.16" parsed="|Gal|1|15|1|16" passage="Ga 1:15,16">Gal. i. 15, 16</scripRef>. His obedience was speedy
and without delay, submissive and without dispute; for he <i>went
out, not knowing whither he went</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.8" parsed="|Heb|11|8|0|0" passage="Heb 11:8">Heb. xi. 8</scripRef>), but knowing whom he followed and
under whose direction he went. Thus God <i>called him to his
foot,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.41.2" parsed="|Isa|41|2|0|0" passage="Isa 41:2">Isa. xli. 2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p16">II. His age when he removed: he was
<i>seventy-five years old,</i> an age when he should rather have
had rest and settlement; but, if God will have him to begin the
world again now in his old age, he will submit. Here is an instance
of an old convert.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p17">III. The company and cargo that he took
with him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p18">1. He took his wife, and his nephew Lot,
with him; not by force and against their wills, but by persuasion.
Sarai, his wife, would be sure to go with him; God had joined them
together, and nothing should put them asunder. If Abram leave all,
to follow God, Sarai will leave all, to follow Abram, though
neither of them knew whither. And it was a mercy to Abram to have
such a companion in his travels, a help meet for him. Note, It is
very comfortable when husband and wife agree to go together in the
way to heaven. Lot also, his kinsman, was influenced by Abram's
good example, who was perhaps his guardian after the death of his
father, and he was willing to go along with him too. Note, Those
that go to Canaan need not go alone; for, though few find the
strait gate, blessed be God, some do; and it is our wisdom to go
with those with whom God is (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.8.23" parsed="|Zech|8|23|0|0" passage="Zec 8:23">Zech.
viii. 23</scripRef>), wherever they go.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p19">2. They took all their effects with
them—<i>all their substance</i> and movable goods, <i>that they
had gathered.</i> For, (1.) With themselves they would give up
their all, to be at God's disposal, would keep back no part of the
price, but venture all in one bottom, knowing it was a good bottom.
(2.) They would furnish themselves with that which was requisite,
both for the service of God and the supply of their family, in the
country whither they were going. To have thrown away his substance,
because God had promised to bless him, would have been to tempt
God, not to trust him. (3.) They would not be under any temptation
to return; therefore they leave not a hoof behind, lest that should
make them <i>mindful of the country from which they came
out.</i></p>
<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_86" n="86"/>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p20">3. They took with them the <i>souls that
they had gotten,</i> that is, (1.) The servants they had bought,
which were part of their substance, but are called <i>souls,</i> to
remind masters that their poor servants have souls, precious souls,
which they ought to take care of and provide food convenient for.
(2.) The proselytes they had made, and persuaded to attend the
worship of the true God, and to go with them to Canaan: the souls
which (as one of the rabbin expresses it) they had <i>gathered
under the wings of the divine Majesty.</i> Note, Those who serve
and follow God themselves should do all they can to bring others to
serve and follow him too. These souls they are said to have
<i>gained.</i> We must reckon ourselves true gainers if we can but
win souls to Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p21">IV. Here is their happy arrival at their
journey's end: <i>They went forth to go into the land of
Canaan;</i> so they did before (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.11.31" parsed="|Gen|11|31|0|0" passage="Ge 11:31"><i>ch.</i> xi. 31</scripRef>), and then took up short,
but now they held on their way, and, by the good hand of their God
upon them, to the land of Canaan they came, where by a fresh
revelation they were told that this was the land God promised to
show them. They were not discouraged by the difficulties they met
with in their way, nor diverted by the delights they met with, but
<i>pressed forward.</i> Note, 1. Those that set out for heaven must
persevere to the end, still reaching forth to those things that are
before. 2. That which we undertake in obedience to God's command,
and a humble attendance upon his providence, will certainly
succeed, and end with comfort at last.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.6-Gen.12.9" parsed="|Gen|12|6|12|9" passage="Ge 12:6-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.12.6-Gen.12.9">
<h4 id="Gen.xiii-p21.3">Abram's Devotion. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p21.4">b. c.</span> 1921.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiii-p22">6 And Abram passed through the land unto the
place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite
<i>was</i> then in the land.   7 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p22.1">Lord</span> appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy
seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p22.2">Lord</span>, who appeared unto him.  
8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of
Beth-el, and pitched his tent, <i>having</i> Beth-el on the west,
and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p22.3">Lord</span>, and called upon the name of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p22.4">Lord</span>.   9 And Abram journeyed,
going on still toward the south.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p23">One would have expected that Abram having
had such an extraordinary call to Canaan some great event should
have followed upon his arrival there, that he should have been
introduced with all possible marks of honour and respect, and that
the kings of Canaan should immediately have surrendered their
crowns to him, and done him homage. But no; he comes not with
observation, little notice is taken of him, for still God will have
him to live by faith, and to look upon Canaan, even when he was in
it, as a land of promise; therefore observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p24">I. How little comfort he had in the land he
came to; for, 1. He had it not to himself: <i>The Canaanite was
then in the land.</i> He found the country peopled and possessed by
Canaanites, who were likely to be but bad neighbours and worse
landlords; and, for aught that appears, he could not have ground to
pitch his tent on but by their permission. Thus the accursed
Canaanites seemed to be in better circumstances than blessed Abram.
Note, The children of this world have commonly more of it than
God's children. 2. He had not a settlement in it. He <i>passed
through the land,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.6" parsed="|Gen|12|6|0|0" passage="Ge 12:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. He <i>removed to a mountain,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.8" parsed="|Gen|12|8|0|0" passage="Ge 12:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. He <i>journeyed, going on
still,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.9" parsed="|Gen|12|9|0|0" passage="Ge 12:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>.
Observe here, (1.) Sometimes it is the lot of good men to be
unsettled, and obliged often to remove their habitation. Holy David
had his wanderings, his flittings, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.56.8" parsed="|Ps|56|8|0|0" passage="Ps 56:8">Ps.
lvi. 8</scripRef>. (2.) Our removes in this world are often into
various conditions. Abram sojourned, first in a plain <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.6" parsed="|Gen|12|6|0|0" passage="Ge 12:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>, then in a mountain,
<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.8" parsed="|Gen|12|8|0|0" passage="Ge 12:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. God has set the
one over-against the other. (3.) All good people must look upon
themselves as strangers and sojourners in this world, and by faith
sit loose to it as a strange country. So Abram did, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p24.7" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.8-Heb.11.14" parsed="|Heb|11|8|11|14" passage="Heb 11:8-14">Heb. xi. 8-14</scripRef>. (4.) While we are
here in this present state, we must be journeying, and going on
still from strength to strength, as having not yet attained.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p25">II. How much comfort he had in the God he
followed; when he could have little satisfaction in converse with
the Canaanites whom he found there, he had abundance of pleasure in
communion with that God who brought him thither, and did not leave
him. Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer, and
by these, according to the methods of that dispensation, Abram's
communion with God was kept up in the land of his pilgrimage.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p26">1. God appeared to Abram, probably in a
vision, and spoke to him good words and comfortable words: <i>Unto
thy seed will I give this land.</i> Note, (1.) No place nor
condition of life can shut us out from the comfort of God's
gracious visits. Abram is a sojourner, unsettled among Canaanites;
and yet here also he meets with him that lives and sees him.
Enemies may part us and our tents, us and our altars, but not us
and our God. Nay, (2.) With respect to those that faithfully follow
God in a way of duty, though he lead them from their friends, he
will himself make up that loss by his gracious appearances to them.
(3.) God's promises are sure and satisfying to all those who
conscientiously observe and obey his precepts; and those who, in
compliance with God's call, leave or lose any thing that is dear to
them, shall be sure of something else abundantly better in lieu of
it. Abram had left

<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_87" n="87"/>

the <i>land of his
nativity:</i> "Well," says God, "I will give thee this land,"
<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.29" parsed="|Matt|19|29|0|0" passage="Mt 19:29">Matt. xix. 29</scripRef>. (4.) God
reveals himself and his favours to his people by degrees; before he
had promised to <i>show</i> him this land, now to <i>give</i> it to
him: as grace is growing, so is comfort. (5.) It is comfortable to
have land of God's giving, not by providence only, but by promise.
(6.) Mercies to the children are mercies to the parents. "I will
give it, not to thee, but to thy seed;" it is a grant in reversion
to his seed, which yet, it should seem, Abram understood also as a
grant to himself of a better land in reversion, of which this was a
type; for he looked for a heavenly country, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.16" parsed="|Heb|11|16|0|0" passage="Heb 11:16">Heb. xi. 16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p27">2. Abram attended on God in his instituted
ordinances. He <i>built an altar unto the Lord who appeared to him,
and called on the name of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.7-Gen.12.8" parsed="|Gen|12|7|12|8" passage="Ge 12:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. Now consider this, (1.) As
done upon a special occasion. When God appeared to him, then and
there he built an altar, with an eye to the God who appeared to
him. Thus he returned God's visit, and kept up his correspondence
with heaven, as one that resolved it should not fail on his side;
thus he acknowledged, with thankfulness, God's kindness to him in
making him that gracious visit and promise; and thus he testified
his confidence in and dependence upon the word which God had
spoken. Note, An active believer can heartily bless God for a
promise the performance of which he does not yet see, and build an
altar to the honour of God who appears to him, though he does not
yet appear for him. (2.) As his constant practice, whithersoever he
removed. As soon as Abram had got to Canaan, though he was but a
stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the
worship of God in his family; and wherever he had a tent God had an
altar, and that an altar sanctified by prayer. For he not only
minded the ceremonial part of religion, the offering of sacrifice,
but made conscience of the natural duty of seeking to his God, and
calling on his name, that spiritual sacrifice with which God is
well pleased. He preached concerning the name of the Lord, that is,
he instructed his family and neighbours in the knowledge of the
true God and his holy religion. The <i>souls he had gotten in
Haran,</i> being discipled, must be further taught. Note, Those
that would approve themselves the children of faithful Abram, and
would inherit the blessing of Abram, must make conscience of
keeping up the solemn worship of God, particularly in their
families, according to the example of Abram. The way of family
worship is a good old way, is no novel invention, but the ancient
usage of all the saints. Abram was very rich and had a numerous
family, was now unsettled and in the midst of enemies, and yet,
wherever he pitched his tent, he built an altar. Wherever we go,
let us not fail to take our religion along with us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.10-Gen.12.13" parsed="|Gen|12|10|12|13" passage="Ge 12:10-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.12.10-Gen.12.13">
<h4 id="Gen.xiii-p27.3">Abram's Removal into Egypt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p27.4">b. c.</span> 1920.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiii-p28">10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram
went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine <i>was</i>
grievous in the land.   11 And it came to pass, when he was
come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife,
Behold now, I know that thou <i>art</i> a fair woman to look upon:
  12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall
see thee, that they shall say, This <i>is</i> his wife: and they
will kill me, but they will save thee alive.   13 Say, I pray
thee, thou <i>art</i> my sister: that it may be well with me for
thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p29">Here is, I. A famine in the land of Canaan,
<i>a grievous famine.</i> That fruitful land was turned into
barrenness, not only to punish the iniquity of the Canaanites who
dwelt therein, but to exercise the faith of Abram who sojourned
therein; and a very sore trial it was; it tried what he would
think, 1. Of God that brought him thither, whether he would not be
ready to say with his murmuring seed that he was brought forth to
be <i>killed with hunger,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.16.3" parsed="|Exod|16|3|0|0" passage="Ex 16:3">Exod.
xvi. 3</scripRef>. Nothing short of a strong faith could keep up
good thoughts of God under such a providence. 2. Of the land of
promise, whether he would think the grant of it worth the
accepting, and a valuable consideration for the relinquishing of
his own country, when, for aught that now appeared, it was a land
that <i>ate up the inhabitants.</i> Now he was tried whether he
could preserve an unshaken confidence that the God who brought him
to Canaan would maintain him there, and whether he could rejoice in
him as the God of his salvation when the fig-tree did not blossom,
<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Hab.3.17-Hab.3.18" parsed="|Hab|3|17|3|18" passage="Hab 3:17,18">Hab. iii. 17, 18</scripRef>. Note,
(1.) Strong faith is commonly exercised with divers temptations,
that it may be <i>found to praise, and honour, and glory,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.6-1Pet.1.7" parsed="|1Pet|1|6|1|7" passage="1Pe 1:6,7">1 Pet. i. 6, 7</scripRef>. (2.) It
pleases God sometimes to try those with great afflictions who are
but young beginners in religion. (3.) It is possible for a man to
be in the way of duty, and in the way to happiness, and yet meet
with great troubles and disappointments.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p30">II. Abram's removal into Egypt, upon
occasion of this famine. See how wisely God provides that there
should be plenty in one place when there was scarcity in another,
that, as members of the great body, we may not say to one another,
<i>I have no need of you.</i> God's providence took care there
should be a supply in Egypt, and Abram's prudence made use of the
opportunity; for we tempt God, and do not trust him, if, in the
time of distress, we use not the means he has graciously provided
for our

<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_88" n="88"/>

preservation: We must not expect
needless miracles. But that which is especially observable here, to
the praise of Abram, is that he did not offer to return, upon this
occasion, to the country from which he came out, nor so much as
towards it. The land of his nativity lay north-east from Canaan;
and therefore, when he must, for a time, quit Canaan, he chooses to
go to Egypt, which lay south-west, the contrary way, that he might
not so much as seem to look back. See <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.15-Heb.11.16" parsed="|Heb|11|15|11|16" passage="Heb 11:15,16">Heb. xi. 15, 16</scripRef>. Further observe, When he
went down into Egypt, it was to sojourn there, not to dwell there.
Note, 1. Though Providence, for a time, may cast us into bad
places, yet we ought to tarry there no longer than needs must; we
may <i>sojourn</i> where we may not <i>settle.</i> 2. A good man,
while he is on this side heaven, wherever he is, is but a
sojourner.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p31">III. A great fault which Abram was guilty
of, in denying his wife, and pretending that she was his sister.
The scripture is impartial in relating the misdeeds of the most
celebrated saints, which are recorded, not for our imitation, but
for our admonition, that he <i>who thinks he stands may take heed
lest he fall.</i> 1. His fault was dissembling his relation to
Sarai, equivocating concerning it, and teaching his wife, and
probably all his attendants, to do so too. What he said was, in a
sense, true (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.20.12" parsed="|Gen|20|12|0|0" passage="Ge 20:12"><i>ch.</i> xx.
12</scripRef>), but with a purpose to deceive; he so concealed a
further truth as in effect to deny it, and to expose thereby both
his wife and the Egyptians to sin. 2. That which was at the bottom
of it was a jealous timorous fancy he had that some of the
Egyptians would be so charmed with the beauty of Sarai (Egypt
producing few such beauties) that, if they should know he was her
husband, they would find some way or other to take him off, that
they might marry her. He presumes they would rather be guilty of
murder than adultery, such a heinous crime was it then accounted
and such a sacred regard was paid to the marriage bond; hence he
infers, without any good reason, <i>They will kill me.</i> Note,
The fear of man brings a snare, and many are driven to sin by the
dread of death, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.4-Luke.12.5" parsed="|Luke|12|4|12|5" passage="Lu 12:4,5">Luke xii. 4,
5</scripRef>. The grace Abram was most eminent for was faith; and
yet he thus fell through unbelief and distrust of the divine
Providence, even <i>after God had appeared to him twice.</i> Alas!
what will become of the willows, when the cedars are thus
shaken?</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.14-Gen.12.20" parsed="|Gen|12|14|12|20" passage="Ge 12:14-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.12.14-Gen.12.20">
<h4 id="Gen.xiii-p31.4">Abram's Denial of His Wife. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p31.5">b. c.</span> 1920.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiii-p32">14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was
come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she <i>was</i>
very fair.   15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and
commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into
Pharaoh's house.   16 And he entreated Abram well for her
sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants,
and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.   17 And the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiii-p32.1">Lord</span> plagued Pharaoh and his house
with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.   18 And
Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What <i>is</i> this <i>that</i>
thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she
<i>was</i> thy wife?   19 Why saidst thou, She <i>is</i> my
sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore
behold thy wife, take <i>her,</i> and go thy way.   20 And
Pharaoh commanded <i>his</i> men concerning him: and they sent him
away, and his wife, and all that he had.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p33">Here is, I. The danger Sarai was in of
having her chastity violated by the king of Egypt: and without
doubt the peril of sin is the greatest peril we can be in.
<i>Pharaoh's princes</i> (his pimps rather) <i>saw her, and,</i>
observing what a comely woman she was, they <i>commended her before
Pharaoh,</i> not for that which was really her praise—her virtue
and modesty, her faith and piety (these were no excellencies in
their eyes), but for her beauty, which they thought too good for
the embraces of a subject. They recommended her to the king, and
she was presently taken into Pharaoh's house, as Esther into the
seraglio of Ahasuerus (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.2.8" parsed="|Esth|2|8|0|0" passage="Es 2:8">Esth. ii.
8</scripRef>), in order to her being taken into his bed. Now we
must not look upon Sarai as standing fair for preferment, but as
entering into temptation; and the occasions of it were her own
beauty (which is a snare to many) and Abram's equivocation, which
is a sin that commonly is an inlet to much sin. While Sarai was in
this danger, Abram fared the better for her sake. Pharaoh gave him
sheep, oxen, &amp;c. (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.16" parsed="|Gen|12|16|0|0" passage="Ge 12:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), to gain his consent, that he might the more readily
prevail with her whom he supposed to be his sister. We cannot think
that Abram expected this when he came down into Egypt, much less
that he had an eye to it when he denied his wife; but God brought
good out of evil. And thus the wealth of the sinner proves, in some
way or other, to be laid up for the just.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p34">II. The deliverance of Sarai from this
danger. For if God did not deliver us, many a time, by prerogative,
out of those straits and distresses which we bring ourselves into
by our own sin and folly, and which therefore we could not expect
any deliverance from by promise, we should soon be ruined, nay, we
should have been ruined long before this. He deals not with us
according to our deserts.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p35">1. God chastised Pharaoh, and so prevented
the progress of his sin. Note, Those are happy chastisements that
hinder us in a sinful way, and effectually bring us to our duty,
and particularly to the duty of restoring that

<pb id="Gen.xiii-Page_89" n="89"/>

which we have wrongfully taken and detained. Observe,
Not Pharaoh only, but his house, was plagued, probably those
princes especially that had commended Sarai to Pharaoh. Note,
Partners in sin are justly made partners in the punishment. Those
that serve others' lusts must expect to share in their plagues. We
are not told particularly what these plagues were; but doubtless
there was something in the plagues themselves, or some explication
added to them, sufficient to convince them that it was for Sarai's
sake that they were thus plagued.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p36">2. Pharaoh reproved Abram, and then
dismissed him with respect.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p37">(1.) The reproof was calm, but very just:
<i>What is this that thou hast done?</i> What an improper thing!
How unbecoming a wise and good man! Note, If those that profess
religion do that which is unfair and disingenuous, especially if
they say that which borders upon a lie, they must expect to hear of
it, and have reason to thank those that will tell them of it. We
find a prophet of the Lord justly reproved and upbraided by a
heathen ship-master, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Jonah.1.6" parsed="|Jonah|1|6|0|0" passage="Jon 1:6">Jon. i.
6</scripRef>. Pharaoh reasons with him: <i>Why didst thou not tell
me that she was thy wife?</i> intimating that, if he had known
this, he would not have taken her into his house. Note, It is a
fault too common among good people to entertain suspicions of
others beyond what there is cause for. We have often found more of
virtue, honour, and conscience, in some people than we thought they
possessed; and it ought to be a pleasure to us to be thus
disappointed, as Abram was here, who found Pharaoh to be a better
man than he expected. Charity teaches us to hope the best.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p38">(2.) The dismission was kind and very
generous. He restored him his wife without offering any injury to
her honour: <i>Behold thy wife, take her,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.19" parsed="|Gen|12|19|0|0" passage="Ge 12:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. Note, Those that would prevent
sin must remove the temptation, or get out of the way of it. He
also sent him away in peace, and was so far from any design to kill
him, as he apprehended, that he took particular care of him. Note,
We often perplex and ensnare ourselves with fears which soon appear
to have been altogether groundless. We often fear where no fear is.
We fear the <i>fury of the oppressor, as though he were ready to
destroy,</i> when really there is no danger, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.51.13" parsed="|Isa|51|13|0|0" passage="Isa 51:13">Isa. li. 13</scripRef>. It would have been more for
Abram's credit and comfort to have told the truth at first; for,
after all, <i>honesty is the best policy.</i> Nay, it is said
(<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.20" parsed="|Gen|12|20|0|0" passage="Ge 12:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), <i>Pharaoh
commanded his men concerning him,</i> that is, [1.] He charged them
not to injure him in any thing. Note, It is not enough for those in
authority to do no hurt themselves, but they must restrain their
servants, and those about them, from doing hurt. Or, [2.] He
appointed them, when Abram was disposed to return home, after the
famine, to conduct him safely out of the country, as his convoy.
Probably he was alarmed by the plagues (<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.17" parsed="|Gen|12|17|0|0" passage="Ge 12:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), and inferred from them that
Abram was a particular favourite of Heaven, and therefore, through
fear of their return, took special care he should receive no injury
in his country. Note, God has often raised up friends for his
people, by making men know that it is at their peril if they hurt
them. It is a dangerous thing to offend Christ's little ones.
<scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.18.6" parsed="|Matt|18|6|0|0" passage="Mt 18:6">Matt. xviii. 6</scripRef>. To this
passage, among others, the Psalmist refers, <scripRef id="Gen.xiii-p38.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.13-Ps.105.15" parsed="|Ps|105|13|105|15" passage="Ps 105:13-15">Ps. cv. 13-15</scripRef>, <i>He reproved kings for
their sakes, saying, Touch not my anointed.</i> Perhaps if Pharaoh
had not <i>sent him away,</i> he would have been tempted to stay in
Egypt and to forget the land of promise. Note, Sometimes God makes
use of the enemies of his people to convince them, and remind them,
that this world is not their rest, but that they must think of
departing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiii-p39"><i>Lastly,</i> Observe a resemblance
between this deliverance of Abram out of Egypt and the deliverance
of his seed thence: 430 years after Abram went into Egypt on
occasion of a famine they went thither on occasion of a famine
also; he was fetched out with great plagues on Pharaoh, so were
they; as Abram was dismissed by Pharaoh, and enriched with the
spoil of the Egyptians, so were they. For God's care of his people
is the same <i>yesterday, to-day, and for ever.</i></p>
</div></div2>