After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
After these things - the conquest of the invading kings. The campaign was closed by a noble demonstration of disinterestedness and generosity on the part of Abram, in restoring every portion of the recovered booty to its respective owners. But the moral of that narrative is greatly weakened if not lost, by separating the act of self-denial from its compensation as related in this chapter.
The word of the Lord came unto Abram. "The word of the Lord" is a phrase used to denote a divine communication. Since this is the first instance of its occurrence, it may be remarked that, although the term naturally suggests the idea of audible and articulate sounds, by which the Lord made an oracular announcement of his will to men, the revelation was made sometimes through the medium of a vocal address, at other times without the employment of this external agency. In the instance of Moses when he entered the tabernacle (Numbers 7:89; Numbers 8:1), of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:31), of our Lord at three eventful periods of his ministry (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5; John 12:28), and of Paul (Acts 9:4), a real voice, miraculously produced, uttered sounds which were heard and understood by those to whom they were addressed; and that fact is announced in a manner so express that there can be no room for doubting it. But the phraseology in this verse implies no external phenomena; and the usus loquendi of the sacred writers leads to the conclusion that, when 'the word of the Lord came unto Abram,' it was by a direct influence upon his mind, originating a train of ideas so far beyond the ordinary range of human thoughts, or the penetration of human sagacity, and impressed with such unusual vividness and force as was sufficient to determine it to be a supernatural communication.
In a vision - [Hebrew, bamachªzeh (H4236); Septuagint, en (G1722) horamati (G3705)]. The recipient of a divine communication in this form was fully awake; but his mind, supernaturally elevated, was entirely absorbed in the contemplation of objects apart from the influence of material impressions, as well as unconnected with any former experience; and the supernatural scene was, by the intense excitement of his faculties as distinctly exhibited to his mental vision as if he had obtained the knowledge through the medium of the bodily eye (cf. Numbers 24:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4).
Fear not, Abram. When the excitement of the enterprise was over, he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revenge that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favoured with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him to dismiss his fear, and cast his burden on the Lord! (Psalms 27:3.) Septuagint [egoo huperaspizoo sou] - I throw the shield of my protection above and around you; and, as I have preserved you amid the dangers of your recent enterprise, shall deliver you also from future perils. Only be 'strong in the faith.'
And thy exceeding great reward. The translation of the Septuagint is more in accordance with the original-and your reward shall be very great.' The Hebrew х saakaar (H7939)] denotes a reward, especially from God, because stedfast perseverance either in labour or in sufferings (cf. 2 Chronicles 15:7; Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 62:11; Jeremiah 31:16; Ezekiel 29:18-19). But since Abram had done nothing that entitled him to an equivalent recompense, the promised result must be considered as a reward of faith, and not of works, and accordingly it is represented in this light by the Apostle (Romans 4:4-5). The words contained a renewal of the original promise, in special connection with Abram's grand act of self-denial in renouncing the valuable booty that was in his hands; and since he had resolved on that renunciation in firm reliance on the word of the Lord, he now received an expressed assurance that his hopes would not be disappointed; because the divine promise would not only be fulfilled to the extent formerly indicated, but far beyond it.