“And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father’s house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.”
From the flood to this time were four hundred twenty and three years. Cross references: : Acts 7:3 In appointed him no certain place, he proveth so much more his faith and obedience.
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed.”
The world shall recover by thy seed, which is Christ, the blessing which they lost in Adam.
“And he took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all the substance which they had gathered, and the souls which they had gotten in Haran: and they went out to go into the land of Chanaan. And when they were come into it,”
Meaning, as well servants as cattle.
“Abram passed through the country unto the place of Sichem, as far as the noble vale: now the Chanaanite was at that time in the land.”
He wandered to and fro in the land before he could find a settling place: thus God exerciseth the faith of his children. Or, oak grove. Which was a cruel and rebellious nation, by whom God kept his in continual exercise.
“And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him: To thy seed will I give this land. And he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”
It was not enough for him to worship God in his heart, but it was expedient to declare by outward profession his faith before men, whereof this altar was a sign.
“And passing on from thence to a mountain, that was on the east side of Bethel, he there pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: he built there also an altar to the Lord, and called upon his name.”
Because of the troubles that he had among that wicked people. And so served the true God, and renounced all idolatry.
“And Abram went forward, going and proceeding on to the south.”
Thus the children of God may look for no rest in this world, but must wait for the heavenly rest and quietness.
“And there came a famine in the country: and Abram went down into Egypt, to sojourn there: for the famine was very grievous in the land.”
This was a new trial of Abram’s faith: whereby we see that the end of one affliction is the beginning of another.
“Say, therefore, I pray thee, that thou art my sister: that I may be well used for thee, and that my soul may live for thy sake.”
By this we may learn not to use unlawful means, nor to put others in danger to save ourselves, read verse 20, albeit it may appear that Abram feared not so much death, as that if he should die without issue, God’s promise should not have taken place: wherein appeared a weak faith. Hebrew, that my soul may live .
“But the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram’s wife.”
The Lord took the defense of this poor stranger against a mighty king: and as he is ever careful over his, so did he preserve Sarai.
“And Pharao gave his men orders concerning Abram: and they led him away and his wife, and all that he had.”
To the intent that none should hurt him either in his person or goods.