Abram, and confirm his hopes of a numerous pos- terity : but, Abram being still desirous of receiving stronger assurances respecting his possession of the promised land, God graciously complied with his request in this respect also, and confirmed his ex- pectations of it in a manner that deserves particular attention.
Let us consider,
I. The inquiry which Abram made —
We may perhaps be disposed to blame this inquiry, as savouring of vain curiosity, or sinful distrust. To obviate such misconceptions, we shall distinctly state,
1. Its nature —
[The very same act may be good or evil, according to the principle from which it proceeds. Had this inquiry arisen from unbelief, it would have been decidedly sinful. It would have resembled the question which Zacharias asked, when the angel told him from God, that he should have a child; " Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years3:" for which unbelieving question he was immediately struck dumb. If, on the other hand, it expressed a wish to be informed more clearly respecting the divine purposes, or to receive those superabundant testimonies which God himself was willing to communicate, then it was perfectly innocent, and consistent with the strongest faith. It was for the purpose of instruction only that the blessed Virgin inquired of the angel, how she should have a child, since she was a Virgin b. The question did not materially differ from that of Zacharias ; but the principle was different ; and there- fore the one received a gracious answer ; the other a severe rebuke. Many instances are recorded where God has been graciously pleased to give signs to his people for the confirma- tion of their faith, when there was not any doubt upon their minds respecting either his faithfulness or power. When he appeared to Gideon, and told him that he should deliver his country from the yoke of Midian ; Gideon said, " If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me : " in answer to which, God caused fire to come out of the rock, and consume the kid and cakes which Gideon had prepared for himc: and presently afterwards, he gave him another sign, making the dew to fall alternately on the fleece and on the ground, while the other remained perfectly dryd.
a Luke i. 18. t> Luke i. 34.
o Judg. vi. 14, 17, 21. a Judg. vi. 36—40.