I shall discuss but one question, and then come to the observa- tions.
Quest. Why God would have Abraham tarry in Canaan? He might have shown him in the land, and then returned him to Ur of the Chaldees among his friends again. What are the reasons ?
Ans. God's will is reason enough ; but yet it seemed to be for these causes : —
1. Partly to avoid idolatry: Joshua xxiv. 2, 3, 'Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah the father of Abraham, and the father of ISahor: and they worshipped other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throunrhout all the land of Canaan.' This was more danc^erous among them of his own kindred, than among the Canaanites, and
250 SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XLII.
more plausible, there being a greater acknowledgment of tlie true God, and so aptest to take.
2. For his trial and exercise, the father of the faithful was to be an example of self-denial, faith and patience.
3. To take livery and seizin of the land in behalf of his posterity, his faith was more stirred up by seeing it, and being constantly in it ; by ftiith he could say, This is mine.
4. That he might be a means to bear forth the name of God among that peoi")le. The sins of the Amorites were not yet full. God sent them Abraham, as he sent Lot to Sodom.
5. To be a pattern of divine blessing and providence ; for there he increased in riches wonderfully : Gen. xiii. 2, ' And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold;' and so was an instance of the reward of obedience to the people of that land. He had not all in hope, but something in hand.
I come now to the notes ; they may be taken from his condition, and from his submitting to that condition ; for it was an act of his faith to sojourn in the land of ]iromise, as in a strange land.
[1.] From his condition appointed by God upon special reasons.
(1.) Observe — From what inconsiderable beginnings the jiromise of God taketh place. Abraham cometh into Canaan as a poor sojourner; but yet to take seizin of the land, and there he is forced to borrow an habitation, and buyaburying-place. Heborroweth an habitation, or place wherein to set his tent : Gen. xiv. 13, ' He dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite.' He was as it were tenant and farmer to Mamre ; the whole land was his by right and by the grant of God, but others had the possession. And he buyeth a place of Imrial : Gen. xxiii. 8, 9, ' Entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, wdiich is in the end of his field: for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me, for a possession of a buryiug-place among you.' Otherwise he had not land enough whereon to set his foot : Acts vii. 5, ' And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on.' A strange beginning for so great promises ! The first thing he takes possession of was a place of burial for the dead ; that was all the pui-cliase he made ; so that his infeoffment and entrance was rather a resignation and farewell, and he seemed to provide more for a departui-e than an abode. Thus w^on- derfully is God wont to work, and by unlikely means to bring about the greatest effects : dead bones keep possession for four hundred^ years. Hereby his power is knowm : Ps. cv. 11-13, ' Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance ; when they were but a few men in number ; yea, very few, and strangers in it. When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people.'
(2.) Observe, that God's promise is not always made good in^ kind. Abraham is called to a land which he should after receive for an inher- tance ; and instead of Canaan he hath heaven — a city founded not by the Amorites, but God. In performing temporal prom.ises, God doth not always observe the letter, and give the particular blessing ; but he giveth what is equivalent, or that which is better. This is the land that I will give thee ; but yet ' he looked for a city that had foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' God's people have never cause to
Vers. 9, 10.] sermons upon Hebrews xt. 251
complaia of bis breach of promise ; if be change their wages it is for the better ; a secret sense of bis favour and possession of heaven is much better than to be king of all the world. Jacob complains of Labau, Gen. xxxi 7, ' Your father hath deceived me. and changed my wages ten times,' but none have cau^^e to complain so of God. Temporal promises are not always fulfilled in the letter, because God is not absolutely bound ; but usually they have that which far exceedeth. If a man should promise another two hundred pounds, and give him an inheritance of so many hundreds or thousands by the year, here is no deceit. God is often better than his word ; but never cometh short.