in the midst
Genesis 15:10
15:10 in the midst. God was to confirm the covenant to Abram in a most instructive manner. Though God’s promise had been free and unconditional to Abram (premised only on his faith), it would be very costly to God, requiring the death of His incarnate Son. This was pictured by the death of one of each of the five kinds of clean animals acceptable for sacrificial purposes, with their remains divided into two rows. This was customary procedure at the time in establishing a solemn compact, with the contracting parties sealing it by passing between the two rows. Here, however, only God passed through, since it was a uni-lateral, unconditional commitment on His part.