7 And he said to him, I am the Lord, who took you from Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land for your heritage. 8 And he said, O Lord God, how may I be certain that it will be mine? 9 And he said, Take a young cow of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a sheep of three years old, and a dove and a young pigeon. 10 All these he took, cutting them in two and putting one half opposite the other, but not cutting the birds in two. 11 And evil birds came down on the bodies, but Abram sent them away.
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.