7 God continued, "I'm the same God who brought you from Ur of the Chaldees and gave you this land to own." 8 Abram said, "Master God, how am I to know this, that it will all be mine?" 9 God said, "Bring me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, and a dove and a young pigeon." 10 He brought all these animals to him, split them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. But he didn't split the birds. 11 Vultures swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram scared them off.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 15:7-11
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.