CONTENTS
This chapter is rendered the more memorable, in that it contains the substance of the Covenant of Grace, which, though here represented as made between God and Abram, yet in reality, forms the outline of that everlasting Covenant made with the Lord Jesus Christ, for all the spiritual seed of Abram. In this Chapter, God's appearance to Abram is taken notice of: the effect induced by it on the mind of the patriarch: the names of Abram and Sarai are changed; the rite of circumcision appointed as an outward visible sign or seal of the Covenant, and the Patriarch's obedience to the divine command.
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
If the Reader will be at the pains to calculate the distance between the former revelations of the Lord to Abram, and the one mentioned in this verse, he will find it to amount to thirteen years! No doubt, Abram kept up the remembrance of the Lord, by ordinances and family worship. And the Lord, no doubt, manifested his remembrance of the Patriarch in many a kind providence! Let every exercised believer remember this: and in his dark seasons call to mind how the great father of the faithful was exercised. Let him remember also, that the communications of divine love, are precious things; and learn to prize them accordingly! Proverbs 6:22; John 14:26; Genesis 35:11. El Shaddai, means God All-sufficient. Sweet thought! The Christian's God is indeed All-sufficient, according to Covenant-promises, for all we want, and for all our joys. Sufficient in himself: sufficient for us: sufficient to us. And all that he is, as relating to the work of redemption, he is for his people. Reader! examine yourself by that standard, Psalms 16:2-5. And then see whether you can adopt that language, Psalms 73:25.