Genesis 18:18-19

Gen. 18:18, 19. By these verses it is manifest -

(1.) That absolute promises already made may yet, in a sort, depend on future conditions; for the promise here mentioned had been made already absolutely over and over. But yet Abraham's future commanding his children and his household after him, is mentioned as the condition of it; and then after that [there] remains another condition - viz. , that they keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment.

(2.) That the promise is absolutely made before the performance of all the conditions, because the performance of the future conditions is so certainly connected with what was already found in Abraham, that it was certainly consequent, and taken as already fulfilled. This may illustrate the dependence of a sinner's salvation on his future universal obedience and perseverance, though it be already absolutely promised.

(3.) Hereby it is manifest that, ordinarily, a thorough care and endeavour in the education of children will be successful.

(4.) That when God admits children into covenant with their parents, and so admits them to be the subjects of the visible seal of the Covenant, it is, as it were, on a dependence on the future religion and piety of the children, as so ordinarily consequent on it that it may be looked upon as virtually included in it.

Chapter s 19-27

Gen. 19:1