_A.M. 2107. B.C. 1897._ This chapter contains the particulars of a covenant between the great Jehovah, the Father of mercies, and pious Abram, the father of the faithful. Here are, ( 1,) _ The time and manner, and other circumstances of making this covenant, Genesis 17:1._ (2,) The covenant itself,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Abram was ninety-nine years old_ Full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. So long the promise of Isaac was deferred; 1st, Perhaps to correct Abram's over-hasty marrying of Hagar. 2d, That Abram and Sarai being so far stricken in age, God's power in this matter might be the more magn... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abram fell on his face while God talked with him_ Either, 1st, As one overcome by the brightness of the divine glory; as Daniel and John also were. Or, 2d, As one ashamed of himself, and blushing to think of the honours done to one so unworthy. He looks upon himself with humility, and upon God... [ Continue Reading ]
The promise is here introduced with solemnity: _As for me_, saith the great God, _behold_ Admire, and be assured of it; _my covenant is with thee; and thou shalt be a father of many nations_ This implies, 1st, That his seed after the flesh should be very numerous, both in Isaac and in Ishmael, and i... [ Continue Reading ]
In token of this, his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the _father of a multitude._ This was to confirm the faith of Abraham, while he was childless; perhaps even his own name was sometimes an occasion of grief to him: Why should he be called a _high father_, who was not a fat... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will establish my covenant_ Not to be altered or revoked; not with thee only, then it would die with thee; but with thy _seed after thee_ Especially thy spiritual seed. It is _everlasting_ in the evangelical meaning of it, from _everlasting_ in the counsels of it, and to _everlasting_ in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will give thee Canaan for an everlasting possession_ As a type of heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God. This is that _better country_ to which Abraham had an eye, and the grant of which was that which answered the vast extent of that promise, that God would be _to... [ Continue Reading ]
The token of the covenant is circumcision, for the sake of which, the covenant is itself called the _covenant of circumcision, Acts 7:8_. It is here said to be the covenant which Abraham and his seed must keep, as a copy or counterpart. It is called a _sign_ and _seal_, (Romans 4:11,) for it was, 1s... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is the promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, that son in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled, that he should be _the father of many nations_, for she also shall be a _mother of nations_, and _kings of people shall be of her, Genesis 17:16_. Thus God reveals the purposes of his... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed_ It was a laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that _Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day;_ now _he saw it and was glad;_ (John 8:56;) for as he saw heaven in the promise of Canaan, so he saw Christ in the promise of Isaac, _and said, Shall a c... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abraham said, O that Ishmael might live before thee!_ This he speaks, not as desiring that _Ishmael_ might be preferred before the son he should have by Sarah, but as dreading lest he should be forsaken of God. The great thing we should desire of God for our children is, that they may _live bef... [ Continue Reading ]
_As for Ishmael, I have heard thee; I have blessed him_ That is, I have many blessings in store for him. 1st, His posterity shall be numerous: _I will multiply him exceedingly._ 2d, They shall be considerable: _twelve princes shall he beget._ We may charitably hope that spiritual blessings also were... [ Continue Reading ]
He names that child _Isaac_, that is, _laughter_, because Abraham rejoiced in spirit when this son was promised him.... [ Continue Reading ]