Genesis 18:19

_FOR I KNOW HIM, THAT HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM, AND THEY SHALL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD, TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT; THAT THE LORD MAY BRING UPON ABRAHAM THAT WHICH HE HATH SPOKEN OF HIM._ For I know him, that he will command. Kennicott renders it, 'I know him, that, he constantly commands;' Genenius, "I have chosen him, that he may command' (taking the verb 'know' in the sense in which it is used in Amos 3:2, as = regarded, loved). KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD, TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT - i:e. to be sincerely pious toward God, and upright in all their social intercourse and transactions with the world. All the dependents and servants of Abraham's household being introduced into the privileges, were taught also the duties, of God's people; and if the simple genuine piety of the oldest servant be taken as a sample of the rest in that large e

19._For I know him, that he will command his children_. The second reason why God chooses to make Abraham a partaker of his counsel is, because he foresees that this would not be done in vain, and without profit. And the simple meaning of the passage is, that Abraham is admitted to the counsel of God, because he would faithfully fulfill the office of a good householder, in instructing his own family. Hence we infer, that Abraham was informed of the destruction of Sodom, not for his own sake alone, but for the benefit of his race. Which is carefully to be observed; for this sentence is to the same effect, as if God, in the person of Abraham, addressed all his posterity. And truly, God does not make known his will to us, that the knowledge of it may perish with us; but that we may be his witnesses to posterity and that they may deliver the knowledge received through us, from hand to hand,...

16-22 The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom. The one who is called Jehovah throughout the chapter, continued with Abraham, and would not hide from him the thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with sinners, from which they fancy that the Lord does not see, and does not regard; yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward them. The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason of his conduct. Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example, that he not only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute; but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God, and to be honest in their dealings with...

Verse Genesis 18:19. _AND THEY SHALL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD_] The true religion; God's WAY; that in which God walks himself, and in which, of course, his _followers_ walk also; _to do justice and_ _judgment_; not only to preserve the truth in their _creed_, but maintain it in their _practice_....

- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה _vayı̂śtachû_ “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground. 6. סאה _s__e__'ah_ a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints. This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” he ceased to fear, and believed. On the solemn announcement of the Conqueror of evil and the Quickener of the dead, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect,” he began anew to walk with God in holiness and truth. The

EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:16 AND THE MEN ROSE UP FROM THENCE,—Mamre (_vide supra_, Genesis 18:1)—AND LOOKED TOWARDS SODOM. Literally, _toward the face _(Rosenmüller), or towards the plain (Keil), of Sodom, as if intending to proceed thither. AND ABRAHAM WENT WITH THEM—across the mountains on the east of Hebron, as far as _Caphar-barucha, _according to tradition, whence a view can be obtained of the Dead Sea—_solitudinem ac terras Sodomae _(vide Keil, _in loco_)_—_TO BRING THEM ON THE WAY. Literally, _to send them away, _or accord them a friendly convoy over a portion of their journey....

FOR I KNOW HIM,.... Not only by his omniscience, but with a special knowledge, such as is accompanied with peculiar love and affection; and so Jarchi says, it is expressive of love. God loved Abraham, he was a peculiar favourite of his, and therefore he would reveal his secrets to him, see Amos 3:2; and he knew not only who he was, but what he was, a holy good man, made so by his own grace, and what he would do by the assistance of that grace, and particularly what follows: THAT HE WILL COMMAND HIS CHILDREN, AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AFTER HIM; to serve and worship the Lord: not his own children only, but his servants also, all in his family; lay his injunctions on them, use his authority with them, give them all needful instructions, and take such methods with them as would tend to propagate and preserve the true religion after his death: and they shall keep the way of the

Genesis 18:17. _And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him._ Abraham is called «the friend of God.» It was not merely that God was his Friend; that was blessedly true, and it was a great wonder of grace; but he was honoured to be called «the friend of God»'-one with whom God could hold sweet converse, a man after his own heart, in whom he trusted to whom he revealed his secrets. I am afraid there are not many men of Abraham's sort in the world even now; but, wherever there is such a man, with whom God is familiar, h

CHAPTER 18 THE SIXTH COMMUNICATION AND JEHOVAH VISITS ABRAHAM _ 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1)_ 2. Abraham's welcome (Genesis 18:3) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9) 4. Sarah's laughter (Genesis 18:11) 5. The departure towards Sodom (Genesis 18:16) 6. Abraham's intercession (Genesis 18:17) This most remarkable visitation was the answer of Jehovah to Abraham's obedience of faith. The one in the middl

GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources, one connecting Abraham with Hebron, the other with Beersheba and the Negeb. The former associates Abraham with Lot. (For details, see ICC.) On the interpretation to be placed on the figures of Abraham and the patriarchs, see the Introduction. The interest, which has hitherto been diffused over the fortunes of mankind in general, is now concentrated on Abraham and his posterity, the principle of election narrowing it down to Isaac, Ishmael being left aside, and then to Jacob, Esau being excluded....