(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations), before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
The Apostle quotes from Genesis 17:4-5, what God had engaged for to Abraham. His being made a father of many nations, had there been no other assurance on the subject, would have proved, that both Jew and Gentile were included. For the Jews were but one nation, and distinguished from every other. And, as such, many nations, implied what had before been said, all nations; that is, all the seed of Christ, scattered in all nations, were to be blessed in Christ, Genesis 12:3
There is somewhat very striking in what is here said, of Abraham's faith. He against hope believed in hope. The case in itself was hopeless. God had promised Abraham a son, from Sarah. The Woman, according to the course of nature, was past child-bearing. But what was that to Abraham? God had promised it: and that to Abraham was enough. Impossibilities are for men; but there is nothing impossible with God. He believed what God had said, God would perform. And this was Abraham's faith. Reader! it would be your happiness, and mine, if we could always do the same. It matters not how great soever the promise, when God is the promiser. You and I have nothing to do with the difficulties in the accomplishment. Be the promise ever so great, the obstructions in the way to the fulfilment ever so mighty; yet the faithfulness and power of Him that promiseth, when that Promiser is God, carrieth all before it. Who art thou, 0 great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain! Zechariah 4:7. It will be a sweet improvement from this scripture, if the Lord the Spirit shall therefrom teach both Writer and Reader, to make the suited improvement from it. Lord! I would pray, that I may have a portion of Abraham's faith, upon every occasion through life! Enable me to bring my God's promise, and my God who promiseth, always together. And very sure I am, that then, every difficulty, which seemeth to arise in the way, will disappear. Reader! it was the language of one of old, who had a head-knowledge in these things, though he felt not an heart-influence, and well may those who know, the Lord, take up the same precious assurance: God is not a man that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19.