In the fourth generation— Either, 1st, from the descent into AEgypt; and thus Caleb was the fourth from Judah; and Moses and Aaron the fourth from Levi: or, 2nd, in the fourth generation of the Amorites; a sense which seems the more probable from the words immediately following, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. The Amorites are here put for the whole inhabitants of Canaan, as being the most considerable for their power, Amos 2:9 and being also the people among whom Abram lived, ch. Genesis 13:18. compared with ch. Genesis 14:13. There is a certain measure of wickedness, it hence appears, beyond which God will not spare a sinful land.
REFLECTIONS.—Observe,
1st, The preparations for God's manifestation of himself. A deep sleep fell on Abram, which, while it left the soul more free and active, locked up the senses from all disturbance and distraction: and in the sleep, an horror of great darkness, arising, partly perhaps, from an awful reverence of the Majesty of that God with whom he was conversing, and partly from a presage of the events which God was about to disclose to him, fell upon him. Note; The more we are abstracted from the objects of sense in all our worship, the better.
2nd, God's revelation concerning Abram and his posterity. 1. His posterity. (1.) Their sufferings, sojourning, and captivity in AEgypt. Note; [1.] It is frequently best to know the worst. [2.] Our unsettled sojourning on the earth will make our rest in heaven the more welcome. [3.] We are all slaves, till the grace of God looses the bands of corruption. [4.] Suffering is more or less the portion of God's children; it is thus they enter the kingdom. [5.] Though our sufferings upon earth were as long as Israel's in AEgypt, nay, as many ages as days, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory would make them appear light afflictions, and but for a moment. (2.) Their return to the land of promise, after the days of their captivity, with great substance: God will enrich them under their sufferings, and at last bring them forth, laden with the spoil of their oppressers. Let the oppressors of God's people, like the AEgyptians, know their day is coming. (3.) Two causes of their return are mentioned: [1.] The judgments of God upon Egypt, in the plagues which afterwards came upon them: his people's quarrels are his own, and he will avenge them. [2.] The filling the measure of the iniquities of the Canaanites. God waits long and is kind. He strikes not, till incorrigible impiety makes patience useless.
2. Concerning Abram himself. Though he should not live to see his posterity's triumphs, neither should he taste their affliction. A peaceful life, a good old age, an honourable sepulchre, and heaven, shall be his lot. Learn, (1.) It is a blessed thing to die in peace: this is the fruit of Abram's faith. (2.) One of the comforts of death is to go to our fathers: to go to those dear relations, whether by nature or grace, who have fallen asleep in Christ before us, and to meet them in paradise. (3.) Old age is a blessing indeed, when the hoary head is found in the way of righteousness. (4.) The grave, to the sinner, is the land of captivity; to the believer, it is the gate which leads into the land of promise.