“Now when these things were done, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: Fear not, Abram, I am thy protector, and thy reward exceeding great.”
Or, the Lord spake to Abram. Ps. 16:6 Cross references: : Num. 12:6
“And Abram said: Lord God, what wilt thou give me? I shall go without children: and the son of the steward of my house is this Damascus Eliezer.”
His fear was not only lest he should not have children, but lest the promise of the blessed seed should not be accomplished in him.
“Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.”
Rom. 4:3 ; Gal. 3:6 ; James 2:23
“But he said: Lord God, whereby may I know that I shall possess it?”
This is a particular motion of God’s Spirit, which is not lawful for all to follow, in asking signs: but was permitted to some by a peculiar motion, as to Gideon and Hezekiah.
“And he took all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid the two pieces of each one against the other: but the birds he divided not.”
This was the old custom in making covenants, Jer. 34:18 , to the which God added these conditions, that Abram’s posterity should be as torn in pieces, but after they should be coupled together: also that it should be assaulted, but yet delivered.
“And when the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great and darksome horror seized upon him.”
Hebrew, a fear of great darkness .
“And it was said unto him: Know thou beforehand that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land not their own, and they shall bring them under bondage, and afflict them four hundred years.”
Counting from the birth of Isaac to their departure out of Egypt: Which declareth that God will suffer his to be afflicted in this world. Exod. 12:40 Acts 7:6
“But in the fourth generation they shall return hither: for as yet the iniquities of the Amorrhites are not at the full until this present time.”
Though God suffer the wicked for a time, yet his vengeance falleth upon them, when the measure of their wickedness is full. Or, after four hundred years.
“That day God made a covenant with Abram, saying: To thy seed will I give this land, from the river to Egypt even to the great river Euphrates.”
Hebrew, Perath . 1 Kings 4:21 ; 2 Chron. 9:26 Gen. 12:7 ; Gen. 13:15 ; Gen. 26:4 ; Deut. 4:5