Ten years before the events of Genesis 15, Abram at 76 submitted himself to God’s judgment for the sake of peace, and let Lot choose what physically looked to be the best territory. On Lot’s part, here is another decision driven by the mind of men based on what is seen that did not work out very well either.
Now with this let us get back to Abraham. In chapter 13 we saw Abram taking a step in faith of self-sacrifice for the sake of peace, while literally putting his own destiny into God’s hands when separating from Lot. And within God’s favor he ended up in the Land of Promise and his own home base of operation for the rest of his life, “by the Terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron,” as we read in Genesis 13:18. This was 23 years before the events of Genesis 18 and his interaction with the Lord and two angels, and the first time the English word for favor is used in the Bible.
It may seem unimportant, but he was off the track for a while. The chapter then closes with Mamre, which means “vision,” and Hebron, which is even better in its meaning, Hebron means “join together,” it means “fellowship,” which is indicative of the state of Abraham’s relationship with God. I think what God is showing us is that there is little or no fellowship with Him when one is in a state or condition of worldliness.
It is not just given to the descendants; it is given forever. And now the promise involves eternal life. So, then He turns and says,
God commanded Abram to walk. It indicates learning by experience on this pilgrimage. Learning by experience that I am with you, that I am fellowshipping with you, and that I will provide for you.
Verse 15 is certainly an indication that the promise involved eternal life.
