Day 17

Genesis 16-18

GENESIS 16

This chapter gives an account of Abram’s marrying his maid, at the instance of his wife Sarai, Ge 16:1, who, upon conceiving, despised her mistress; of which complaint is made to Abram, who leaving his maid to his wife, to deal with her as she pleased, dealt harshly by her, and therefore fled from her, Ge 16:4; when she was met by an angel, who advised her to return and submit herself to her mistress, and told her her seed would be greatly multiplied, gave a name to the kid she went with, and described his temper and disposition, Ge 16:7; and then we have the name of God that spoke to her, and of the place where the discourse passed between them, Ge 16:13; and the chapter is concluded with the birth of Ishmael, and the age of Abram at his birth, Ge 16:15.

GENESIS 17

This chapter treats of a covenant made with Abram, sometimes called the covenant of circumcision, the time when God appeared to him, and promised to make it, and did, Ge 17:1; the particulars of it, both with respect to himself, whose name was now changed, and to his posterity, Ge 17:4; the token of it, circumcision, the time of its performance, and the persons obliged to it, Ge 17:9; the change of Sarai’s name, and a promise made that she should have a son, to the great surprise of Abraham, Ge 17:15; a prayer of his for Ishmael, and the answer to it, with a confirmation of Sarah’s having a son, whose name should be called Isaac, and the establishment of the covenant with him, Ge 17:18; and the chapter is closed with an account of the circumcision of Abraham, and all his family of the male sort, agreeably to the command of God, Ge 17:23.

GENESIS 18

Another appearance of God to Abraham is here recorded; three persons are seen by him in an human form, whom he kindly invites to stop with him, and generously entertains them, Ge 18:1; they inquire concerning Sarah his wife, and one of them renews the promise of her bearing a son to him, which occasions laughter in her, for which she is reproved, Ge 18:9; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Ge 18:16; when Abraham intercedes for the preservation of those cities in a most importunate and affectionate manner, Ge 18:23.

Taken from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, published roughly around 1748-1760.