8 But Abram said, "Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"
8 And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
8 But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"
8 Abram said, "Master God, how am I to know this, that it will all be mine?"
8 And he said, "Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?"
8 But Abram replied, "OÂ Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 15:8
Commentary on Genesis 15:7-11
(Read Genesis 15:7-11)
Assurance was given to Abram of the land of Canaan for an inheritance. God never promises more than he is able to perform, as men often do. Abram did as God commanded him. He divided the beasts in the midst, according to the ceremony used in confirming covenants, Jeremiah 34:18,19. Having prepared according to God's appointment, he set himself to wait for the sign God might give him. A watch must be kept upon our spiritual sacrifices. When vain thoughts, like these fowls, come down upon our sacrifices, we must drive them away, and seek to attend on God without distraction.