V1-2
Another 13 years pass; it is now 24 years since Abram left Haran, see
12.4. The Lord has been teaching him, line upon line, precept upon precept. As
elsewhere (15.7), the Lord reminds Abram who He is, and then of his on-going
responsibility, and then of the covenant. Even though Abram has fallen short in
some respects, God’s promises remain.
V3-6
Abram’s new name, Abraham, speaking of God’s promise; a father of
many nations; he will be exceedingly fruitful, and nations and kings will come
from him. Abram has been a ‘great father,’ but now God has something much
greater for him.
V7-8
The covenant includes Abraham’s descendants, and includes the land of
Canaan; over all comes the promise, “I will be their God.”
V9-14 The
sign of circumcision, see Rom 4.10-12. Abraham has already believed God, and now
he receives the sign of circumcision, a testimony of belonging to the Lord, of
being a partaker in the divine covenant, Josh 5. This is a physical, permanent,
sign; there is a cost in following the Lord. There is the rolling away of the
flesh, as at Gilgal (Josh 5.9), a total dependence upon the Lord.
In chapter 34 this precious and important thing is abused by Levi and
Simeon.
V15-17
Sarai is also included in the promises, with a new name, Sarah. She will
be the mother of nations, and kings of peoples will come from her. At this
Abraham laughed, 18.12; 21.6-7. Here is God making promises for the impossible.
Abraham is virtually 100 years old, Sarah 90; even in these days this was
impossible, not just unusual. Contrast chapter 5, where a number of men were
born to fathers over 100 years old. By chapter 11, after the flood, this has
changed.
V18-22
The Lord insists that Isaac, not Ishmael, will be in the line of His
promises. There are other promises concerning Ishmael which are fulfilled,
16.11-12; 25.12-16.
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